Inverters come in Stand-Alone and Grid-Tie categories.
Stand-Alone Inverters convert DC power stored in batteries to AC power that can be used as needed. Select an inverter for your power system based on the maximum load you will be powering, the maximum surge required, AC output voltage requred, Input Battery Voltage and optional features needed.
Stand-Alone inverters range in size from 100 watts, for powering laptop computers and fax machines from your car, to 60 Kw to power commercial installations.
Typical sizes include 125 watts, 250 watts, 1100 watts, 2400 watts, 3600 watts, 4000 watts, 5.5 Kw, 8 Kw, and 10 Kw.
DC Input Voltages for inverters are 12, 24 and 48 Volts. The larger the power rating of the system, the higher the voltage should be chosen.
Grid-Tie Inverters convert the DC power from PV modules into AC power to be fed into the utility grid. There are two major types of utility inverters; string inverters and low voltage input inverters.
The SMA SunnyBoy, Fronius, and Xantrex GT-3 Inverters are String Inverters. Xantrex Grid-Tie Inverters include GT2.5 rated at 2500 watts at 240 VAC, GT3.0 rated at 3000 watts at 240 VAC, and 3300 watts using 240 or 208 Volts AC.
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