How much does a solar inverter cost?

For an average-sized installation, inverters typically range between $1000 and $1500. That cost can go up quickly though as the installation gets bigger. Each year, the National Renewable Energy Lab performs a cost benchmark of the solar industry, looking at average installation costs, inverter and panel costs, and a host of other related topics.

What is the best solar inverter?

The best solar inverter depends on your solar-panel system's size and location. String inverters are affordable, efficient, and common for residential solar systems. However, microinverters converting power on each individual panel may be better if some of your panels get shade for part of the day.

How much power should a solar inverter produce?

For microinverters: The maximum output power should be about the size of your solar panels (typically 300-400+ Watts). For string and optimized string inverters: The maximum output should be close to the size of your solar panel system (typically about 5-10 kilowatts (kW)).

What is a solar inverter?

A solar inverter is an essential part of a solar-panel system. The inverter turns the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into the alternating current (AC) electricity needed for most appliances and home electrical needs.

How do I choose a solar inverter for my system?

When choosing a solar inverter for a hybrid solar system, look for a model that connects with a battery bank and the grid. Three common types of inverters are string inverters, string inverters with optimizers, and microinverters. For cost-effective solutions, consider string inverters.

Are inverters cheap?

At around 6% of an installation’s total cost, inverters aren’t cheap so you need to make sure you’re getting a good product before moving forward. And when you are talking with installers and receiving estimates, do some quick math to make sure all the costs add up.