An Inverters primary function is to harvest all the available sunlight on your solar panel and convert it into usable electrical current. (DC) current into (AC) electricity. An inverter will always be required for a solar panel system to make electricity. This applies to both a “grid tied” system and a “off grid system”.  The size of your inverter will be determined by the amount of power created by your solar panels. The specifications of your inverter will depend on the amount of wattage your solar system produces and whether your solar system is grid tied or an off grid system.

The first step in finding the inverter that serves your system the best is to understand what type of system you have.

Grid Tied systems are connected to the public energy grid through a junction box. These systems require a Grid Tied Inverter

Off Grid systems are not connected to a public energy system, but instead are independent energy generators. The energy that is not used is stored in batteries for later use. An Off Grid inverter or a battery back up inverter (also known as an inverter/charger) can be used for this type of system.

Grid Tied or Off Grid with Battery Back Up are systems that are connected to the public electric grid, but also keep energy stored in batteries for power back up. These systems require a battery back up inverter or an inverter/charger.