When you invest in a solar PV system, the solar panels themselves often get most of the attention. However, one of the most important components is actually the inverter. Without it, the electricity generated by your solar panels could not be used to power your home.
What Does an Inverter Do?
An inverter is a device that converts one form of electricity into another. Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, but most homes and household appliances operate using alternating current (AC) electricity. The inverter’s primary role is to convert the DC electricity produced by your solar panels into usable AC electricity for your home.
Modern solar inverters do much more than simply convert electricity. They act as the brain of your solar energy system, monitoring performance, managing battery storage, communicating with the electricity grid, and providing essential safety functions that protect your solar installation.
The Role of the Inverter in Battery Storage
If your solar system includes battery storage, the inverter also plays a key role in controlling how energy is stored and used. It manages the flow of electricity between your solar panels, battery, home, and the grid to ensure your system operates efficiently and safely.
For homeowners looking to add battery storage to an existing solar PV system, an AC-coupled inverter is often the ideal solution.
What Is an AC-Coupled Inverter?
An AC-coupled inverter, sometimes called an AC-coupled battery charger, allows battery storage to be added to an existing solar system without replacing the current solar inverter.
Rather than sharing a single inverter between the solar panels and battery, the battery is connected on the AC side of your home’s electrical system. This makes AC coupling a straightforward and cost-effective way to retrofit battery storage.
How Does AC Coupling Work?
- Solar Generation
Your solar panels generate DC electricity, which is converted into AC electricity by your existing solar inverter for use around the home.
- Battery Charging
When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home needs, the AC-coupled inverter takes the surplus AC electricity and converts it back into DC electricity to charge the battery.
- Battery Discharging
When solar production is low, such as during the evening or on cloudy days, the battery releases stored DC electricity. The battery inverter then converts this back into AC electricity to power your home.
Why Choose an AC-Coupled Battery System?
Easy Retrofitting
If you already have a working grid-connected solar PV system, AC coupling allows battery storage to be added without major alterations to your existing setup.
Greater Flexibility
AC-coupled systems often allow you to choose different manufacturers for your solar inverter and battery system, giving you more choice and flexibility when upgrading.
Backup Power During Outages
Many AC-coupled battery systems offer Emergency Power Supply (EPS) or off-grid functionality. In the event of a power cut, these systems can automatically disconnect from the grid and continue powering essential household appliances using stored battery energy.
Improved Energy Independence
By storing excess solar energy generated during the day, battery systems help reduce reliance on the grid and allow you to make better use of your own renewable energy.
Choosing the Right Inverter
The inverter is one of the hardest-working components in any solar energy system. Whether you’re installing solar panels for the first time or adding battery storage to an existing system, selecting the right inverter is essential for performance, efficiency and reliability.
At Love Solar, we can help you choose the right inverter and battery combination to maximise your solar generation, increase energy independence, and future-proof your home for the years ahead.
INVERTERS Definitions
- String – converts DC Electricity generated by the solar panels into AC electricity to power your home.
- AC coupled Inverter (battery inverter) – used for controlling battery storage in systems where there is an existing string inverter
- Hybrid Inverter – a string inverter and battery inverter in one, installed on systems where batteries are being installed or there is future plans for battery storage
