The solar inverter is the hardest working component in your solar energy system. In a well-installed system, it is the component most likely to fail first – well, it is now we’ve got rid of roof-top DC isolators.

But what inverter brands are best? [Read more…]

You may have come across the terminology “clipping” and “throttling” used in association with solar inverters. These terms have nothing to do with taking out frustrations on solar hardware; so what do they refer to? Here’s a quick explanation. [Read more…]

If you are reading this because you have a failed ‘vintage’ inverter, you probably bought your solar power system ten or more years ago. In which case… [Read more…]

Image Credit: Glen Morris. Typeface & Design Credit: Beelzebub & his helpers from Standards Australia.

The recently updated Australian Standard for solar installations, AS5033:2021, contains the following clause that has caused a few headaches for solar installers and designers: [Read more…]

Over the past 100 years, many electrical and electronic devices have changed our lives and raised our living standards. One of these is the solar inverter – and in particular the grid-tied solar inverter. [Read more…]

Looks fine from my house…

The $200, 2-inch thick, spiral-bound ‘AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations’ is also known as The Wiring Rules, The Book, or The Bible. Electricians use it to beat each other over the head when they feel a fellow sparkie has strayed from the true path of holy electrical compliance. [Read more…]

If you asked me what type of inverter your rooftop solar system should use:

• A string inverter — like most solar systems in Australia, or…
• Microinverters — a little baby inverter that goes under each panel.

I would say…

[Read more…]

Every year, more solar inverter brands arrive on the Australian market. But which one should you choose for your solar power system?

I think the best people to answer this question are the people that have to install, commission, maintain and support those inverters every day: the solar installers. [Read more…]

Good ideas can come from little things.

When solar installer Perry Borg wanted to protect customers’ inverter warranties with extra sun protection, he couldn’t really find what he wanted, so he decided to design and manufacture purpose-built protectors. [Read more…]

The micro-inverter debate has been stirred with two YouTube videos looking at the marketing claim that microinverters outperform string inverters when solar panels are shaded. [Read more…]