How Long Do Solar Inverters Last in 2023?
If you’re thinking of joining the Illinois green energy revolution by transitioning to solar power, no doubt one of the questions in your mind will be How Long Do Solar Inverters Last in 2023?
We’re already taken a look at the lifespan of solar panels in a previous article, so this week we’re looking at another integral component to solar panel systems: solar inverters.
In this blog article, we’ll offer an overview of the various types of solar inverters on the market and what their functions are, take a look at how long solar inverters last compared to solar panels and offer guidance on how to make your solar inverter last longer.
1. What Is A Solar Inverter?
Everyone has an idea of what solar panels do, but what about solar inverters? Many people outside of the solar industry might not know this, but without a solar inverter your solar panels are almost useless.
The reason for this is quite simple: solar panels don’t produce the type of electrical current that all modern day electrical appliances run on. There are two forms of electrical current:
- Direct current (DC), which is the form of electrical current that is produced by solar panels, and…
- Alternating current (AC), the type of electrical current that powers our homes and businesses.
We can think of DC charge as a kind of straight line, whereas AC is a constant wave, switching back and forth in polarity from positive to negative charge.
A solar inverter takes DC charge, and through a series of processes converts it into AC, so the electricity produced by our solar panels can be used in our homes or fed into the grid. How Long Do Solar Inverters Last in 2023?
2. How Do Solar Inverters Work?
Solar inverters essentially accomplish the DC to AC conversion by switching the direction of the DC input rapidly back and forth until it eventually becomes AC output.
Additionally, filters and other electronics are used to produce a voltage that varies as a clean, repeating sine wave so that excess power can be fed into the grid without causing any problems.
The sine wave is the pattern that the voltage makes over time, and the inverter ensures that the pattern being fed in is the frequency and voltage that the grid was built to use – otherwise it could damage equipment.
3. What Are The Other Roles Of A Solar Inverter?
Solar inverters have some other important functions besides DC to AC conversion. They include:
- Maximum Power Point Tracking
- System monitoring
Maximum Power Point Tracking
Throughout the day, factors such as sunlight intensity and solar panel temperature fluctuate, which leads to fluctuations in the solar panel voltage and current.
The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) process carried out by the solar inverter dynamically selects the exact combination of voltage and current that will produce the most power.
System Monitoring
Your solar inverter is a useful way of tracking the efficiency and power output of your solar panels, so that you can monitor how well they’re functioning to identify any problems.
You can do this either by referring to the built-in display, or by downloading the mySunPower Monitoring App. How Long Do Solar Inverters Last in 2023?
4. What Types Of Solar Inverters Are There?
There are a number of different types of inverters out there, and various subcategories. However, if you’re getting a residential solar panel installation, you’re likely going to get a string inverter.
A string inverter is basically an inverter that is connected to strings of solar panels. Microinverters also exist, where you have a solar panel to inverter ratio of 1:1, but most people get string inverters.
The categories that string inverters can be broken down into for residential installations are:
- The grid-tie or on-grid solar inverter, which is connected to the grid – into which it will feed excess electricity that is generated
- The off-grid solar inverter, which is not connected to the grid and will usually charge batteries for you to use the power outside of daylight hours
- The hybrid solar inverter, which are able to fulfill the functions of both the grid-tie and off-grid inverters
- Battery backup solar inverters, which can be used to supply power during outages
5. How Long Do Solar Inverters Last?
As you have no doubt learned in our previous blog posts, solar panels, if properly maintained, can last over 40 years. Solar inverters, however, have a much shorter life expectancy, due to more rapidly aging components.
How long do solar inverters last? Most typical residential string inverters will last at least 10-15 years, but it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll need to be replaced at some point during the lifetimes of the panels.
It’s fairly common in the solar industry for solar inverters to come with warranties ranging from 5-10 years, with many having the option to extend up to 20 years. How Long Do Solar Inverters Last in 2023?
6. How Can I Make My Inverter Last Longer?
One of the best ways that you can ensure that your inverter lasts longer is by having it installed in an appropriate place. Solar inverters are incredibly sensitive to temperature and moisture, which could cause irreparable damage.
Your inverter should be installed:
- Beyond the reach of direct sunlight, which could cause it to overheat
- In a place that is well ventilated, with space for air circulation on both sides of the panel
- With adequate shelter from the elements, in a place that is low in moisture
- In an area that is easily accessible, for the purpose of maintenance and inspections
In addition, as summer temperatures in Illinois can sometimes exceed 100°F, and heatwaves are likely to increase in the coming years, inverters with a built-in fluid coolant system are likely to have greater longevity.
Furthermore, to ensure that any problems are identified and addressed promptly, it is advisable that you regularly monitor your system and have it inspected once per year. How Long Do Solar Inverters Last in 2023?
How Much Does It Cost To Go Solar In Illinois?
As of April 2022, a solar panel installation in Illinois⁵ costs between $2.64 and $3.56 dollars per watt. The larger the system that you install, the lower the overall price per watt.
The average payback period for a solar system – the length of time it takes to make net savings from the system – is around 5.59 years, which is lower than the national average of 8.7 years.
Go Solar In Central Illinois!
Are You Ready To Join The Illinois Green Energy Revolution?
If, like countless homes across Illinois, you’re ready to get off of polluting fossil fuels and switch over to an energy source that’s great for the environment and for your pocket, you’ll no doubt have realized that getting solar panels isn’t as straightforward as many people might think.
That’s why Green Home Makeover is here to help. We’re solar industry experts with more than 7 years of experience in helping homes across Illinois turn their solar dreams into realities.
We’ll assess your home and energy needs, design your system and manage every aspect of your solar project, from A to Z, so that you don’t trip up over any of the hurdles or get caught up in all the red tape.
If you’d like to know more about how we can help you to upgrade your home to solar power, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and quote. How Long Do Solar Inverters Last in 2023?
Read our coming articles to know more about: “How long does an inverter last? / How long does a sunny boy inverter last? / How long do solar micro inverters last? / Solar inverter failure rate / How much do solar inverters cost?”
References:
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-integration-inverters-and-grid-services-basics
- https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2021/09/15/how-long-do-residential-solar-inverters-last/
- https://nypost.com/dispatch/bluetti-unveils-new-solar-power-battery-storage-system-ep600/
- https://www.nrel.gov/grid/power-electronics-inverters.html