The Importance Of An Inverter Connected To a Solar System in Zimbabwe

Synergy Solar Zimbabwe is a Leading Online Solar Energy supply store in Zimbabwe. Since our inception, we have steadily grown to become one of the most robust solar energy dealers in Zimbabwe. We provide a large variety of products, custom designed solar electric systems, and superb technical support throughout your installation.

Synergy Solar Zimbabwe designs, supplies, and delivers complete solar energy systems for homeowners, and installers. We use only the highest rated manufacturers in our design layouts, customized for your specific needs and requirements. We have a commitment to excellence for our valued customers, offering wholesale pricing that ensures a powerful return on your investment, for years to come.

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An essential component within a solar energy setup, an inverter plays a crucial role in the system's functionality. 

Responsible for transforming the direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar panels into the alternating current (AC) electricity compatible with the standard electrical grid, this device is indispensable for effective energy conversion. 

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With load-shedding becoming a permanent feature in Zimbabwe, more people than ever are talking about solar power generation. 

Because of this, it is very useful to have a solid understanding of the different components of a solar system and the role they play in the power generation and storage process.
The Importance Of An Inverter Connected To a Solar System in Zimbabwe
The Importance Of An Inverter Connected To a Solar System in Zimbabwe
The inverter is perhaps one of the most important parts of a solar system, as the power captured by the solar panels is only usable once the inverter has performed its role.

Inverters are Critical to Converting DC Power to AC Power in Solar Power Generation:

Before we dive into the critical role of solar inverters, let us first discuss the difference between Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC).

DC is a type of current only flowing in one direction. It refers to the flow of electricity obtained from energy storage devices such as battery cells. AC, on the other hand, refers to a current that periodically changes direction from negative to positive or vice versa as it flows. This is the type of current found in building circuitry, i.e. the normal current coming in from mains power that is used from day to day. 

AC is typically used for this because it transmits much better over long distances, with a lot less energy wastage. Because the energy taken from the cells of a solar panel and from battery storage is in DC, a conversion needs to take place before the energy becomes useful to power devices and appliances. This is where the solar inverter comes in.

DC flows from the solar panels to the inverter, where it is converted to AC or stored as DC in a solar battery. The converted AC power can then be used to power household appliances.

As you can see, the inverter is a very critical component of a solar power system.

The Inverter Converts the Energy Stored in the Battery into Usable AC Power:

Now that we know that solar inverters convert DC to AC, we can go into more depth on how this works.

The most basic mechanical inverter has an electromechanical switch that flickers on and off to reverse the direction of the current at high speed. This is what is known as square-wave output, where the current change is instant and there is no gradual shift between the current direction.

These instantaneous shifts can be quite hard on electrical systems because normal AC power flows smoothly as the direction changes in a regular pattern called a sine-wave pattern. Because of this, most modern inverters have more sophisticated systems to clean up the current before it is used to power a device.

However, a standard conversion process will generally go according to the following steps:
  1. Direct current is channelled through the inverter’s internal transformer.
  2. Direct current runs through two or more transistors (switches)
  3. The transistors rapidly turn on and off to feed the two different sides of the transformer.

The transformer changes the output voltage of the current flowing in, while the transistors change the direction of the current.

Each manufacturer will have different technology in place for their various solar system inverter models, varying in its sophistication, in order to facilitate this process. It will be important to do your research and speak to your sales consultant about the right technology for your needs and budget, as inverters can vary widely in the quality of their AC power output. Some electronics will need a very high-quality inverter, as anything other than clean sine-wave output could damage complex devices such as IT equipment.
 

The Inverter also Manages the Charge and Discharge of the Battery, for Energy Storage:

If you are using a battery back-up on your solar system, it is important to be aware of the fact that excess power drawn from the solar panels can be stored in the battery system.

Not all systems will have this capability, so it will be important to make sure that your inverter is fitted with a rectifier to convert AC power back to DC, where it then can be stored in the battery bank. A charge controller will also play a crucial role in this process. One of its core functions is to control the charge on the battery bank and regulate the voltage being sent to the battery so that it does not overcharge.
  

As a battery approaches its rated voltage, the charge controller gradually reduces the current flowing into the battery. Once the battery reaches its capacity, the controller ensures that the charge on the battery is maintained with a trickle charge. Any excess power can then be fed into the grid.

In this way, the right inverter used in your solar system can also effectively manage the charge and discharge of your battery bank.
 

The Inverter Ensures the Overall Health of the Solar Power System:

With the popularisation of communication and remote monitoring systems, keeping up with the health of your solar power system is simpler and easier than it has ever been.

Since the inverter is the central connection point between all other parts of the solar power system, it is also the central point for communication between the components of the system. Many inverters are equipped with wireless communication systems that can monitor the system as a whole, and also detect any issues that need attention.

With a remote monitoring and communication system, you can also keep tabs on the health of your solar panels, the health and state of charge of your battery bank, and a number of other key parameters through a smartphone application, allowing you to manage your solar equipment from any destination with just a tap of your finger.

Another thing to note is that higher quality inverters will also be more efficient when converting DC to AC, which also generates less heat and wastes less energy in the process, contributing to the longevity of the inverter and thus the entire solar power system. Many newer models are now equipped with technology that greatly improves the efficiency and safety of the whole system, making a great inverter one of the best investments you can make.

When choosing an inverter for your solar system, being equipped with as much knowledge as possible is always beneficial. We have put together an article on the different types of solar inverters to help get you started on your journey.

For more information about an inverter for your solar system that fits your needs and budget, reach out to one of Synergy Solar Zimbabwe’s friendly sales staff members today.

Synergy Solar Zimbabwe only works with and installs quality equipment. We use the best and most reputable brands, from solar inverters to panels and batteries. We know good equipment means quality and guarantee; so we use the best so as to create customers satisfaction.

Synergy Solar Zimbabwe is looking forward to your call or WhatsApp Message.

Please feel free to leave a message on our WhatApp number or alternatively please call us and we will be able to help you straight away. If you would prefer, send us an email with your details and an outline of your enquiry and we will be pleased to come back to you. We respond to all enquiries usually within 24 hours, but guarantee within 48 hours.

Our Contact Numbers Are: +263 78 977 9433, +263 78 864 2437, +263 77 389 8979 and +263 71 961 3479.



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