Can micro inverters be used in off grid solar power systems?

With the growth in the use of micro inverters, I’m starting to get more and more emails asking: can micro inverters be used in off grid (or hybrid) solar power systems? The short answer is yes they can! In fact a number of micro inverter battery backup systems are already operating here and abroad.

Can a micro inverter battery backup system work?

The short answer is yes they can! In fact a number of micro inverter battery backup systems are already operating here and abroad. The longer answer gets a bit technical – but I’ll try to keep it as simple as I can!

Can a micro inverter be used as an AC source?

It’s not simple but it absolutely does work and has been gaining favour as a solution for many years. So, logically micro inverters that present solar as an AC source can indeed be coupled into these types of systems. In the last 2 block diagrams above you simply swap out the solar panel and grid tie inverter for all your AC solar panels.

Should I buy a micro inverter based system?

So if you buy a microinverter based system you won’t be left high and dry if you want to add batteries in the future, you’ll simply need an AC coupled system. In fact the way technology is progressing it would not surprise me if batteries will soon come with “micro inverter/chargers”.

What is a smarter micro inverter?

Recently however, Enphase announced a new generation of smarter micro inverters, which will effectively allow them to make many of the traditional components of an AC coupled system redundant by embedding more of the control and power conversion functions of the inverter/charger into the micro inverter itself.

Can a solar inverter handle AC coupling?

Luckily, the world has some very clever people and a number of inverter manufacturers highlight their ability to handle AC coupling from solar panels including Selectronics, SMA, Schneider, Outback Power, Magnum and Midnite Solar to name a few.