Solar inverters are critical components of a solar energy system. They convert the direct current (DC) generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) that homes and businesses can use. Solar Inverters are becoming increasingly popular nowadays as people continue to face load-shedding challenges.
Solar inverter life expectancy should be one of our primary considerations while looking for solar inverters. The lifespan of solar inverters may vary depending on product quality, installation, usage environment, and maintenance afterward.
However, the lifespan of a solar inverter is affected by several factors, including internal temperature, external environment, and maintenance practices. This article will explore the key factors that affect the life of solar inverters.
Internal/operating Temperature Of Solar Inverter
The internal temperature of the inverter is one of the major elements that directly affect the operation and lifespan of a solar inverter. Inverters operate best at a moderate temperature range. The performance and lifespan of your solar inverter can be decreased by high temperatures. High temperatures can overheat the solar inverter components and cause premature failure.
Many internal components of solar inverters are vulnerable to temperature changes, for instance, a capacitor. It is yet another crucial element of solar inverters. Capacitors act as filters that block direct current (DC) and allow alternating current (AC) used by most household appliances. For every 10 degrees increase in ambient temperature, the capacitor life is decreased by 50%.
Keeping your solar inverters in areas without proper ventilation or direct sunlight may lead to overheating and increase internal temperature.
In order to ensure the stability of the internal temperature of the inverter, special attention should also be paid to the installation and use:
(1) The inverter must be installed in an air circulation space and kept well-ventilated from the outside world. If it must be installed in an enclosed space, air duct and exhaust fans must be installed, or air conditioning. Do not install the inverter in a closed box
(2) Both the installation of a single inverter and multiple units should be installed in accordance with the installation space size given by the inverter manufacturer to ensure that the inverter has sufficient ventilation and cooling space and operation space for later operation and maintenance.
To maximize solar inverter life expectancy, install your solar inverters in a ventilated space and away from direct sunlight. Avoid installation of your inverter in high-temperature areas such as boilers, electric stoves, air outlets of air conditioners, etc.
Selecting a suitable installation environment is crucial for ensuring the lifespan of a hybrid inverter. It is not advisable to install your solar inverter in the kitchen as it might get exposed to moisture and oil. You need to keep the inverter in a place that remains dry.
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Input Voltage And Current of Solar Inverter
Improper matching of the input voltage and current parameters of the inverter will also affect its longevity. Make sure that the battery voltage and solar panel voltage are in line with the rated inverter input voltage. The higher the voltage or current, the shorter the life of the components. When the component power is fixed, the series component voltage shouldn’t be too high or too low.
Keep the series element voltage close to the inverter’s rated voltage. For instance, if the input voltage range is 200-1000V – it denotes that if the input voltage is in this range, the inverter can function normally.
The PV array voltage or solar panels voltage should operate within the input voltage range on the inverter to ensure that the inverter functions properly.
By keeping the solar inverter input voltage within recommended ranges, you can prevent system breakdowns and also improve the life expectancy and performance of your inverter. However, even though the input voltage is in the given range, the life expectancy of solar inverters will be different for different input voltages.
External Environment Of The Solar Inverter
The Installation environment can be a significant impact on the lifespan of the inverter. Maintaining a good external environment is important. Installing inverters in a clean environment expands the life expectancy of solar inverters.
At present, the protection level of an inverter can reach IP65, even IP66 meaning they can adapt to a bad external environment. Some inverters have a low-rated degree of protection against external factors such as the Growatt inverter with an IP20 protection grade. An IP20 rating means the product is touch-proof and will be resistant to dust or objects that are over 12mm in size like fingers. However, it has no protection whatsoever against liquids and will be damaged if it comes into contact with sprays of water.
Growatt IP protection is lower than the Sunsynk and Deye inverters which come with an IP65 protection grade. Sunsynk and Deye inverter’s protection level offers much greater protection against both solid objects and water, hence this inverter is protected against water spraying and vertically falling drops.
The IP 20 and IP65 protection grade inverters are available at Taqon Electrico suitable for different installation environments. It is important to check the IP rating of your inverter before installation to make sure that it is not exposed to harsh external environment conditions it cannot protect itself from.
It is advisable to use IP20-rated inverter fittings for indoor lighting in living rooms and dining rooms, where there is little risk. IP65 inverters are much more effective for outdoor use than IP20 fixtures as they can be installed on the veranda. A solar power inverter can be installed indoors or outdoors. Indoor solar inverters are generally cheaper than outdoor inverters. This is due to the fact that outdoor inverters are capable of surviving adverse weather conditions such as moisture and extreme heat.
Even though some inverters offer higher protection against the external environment, it is recommended to install solar inverters in a closed space if the external environment has serious pollution and dust issues. This is because when dust, tree leaves or sand falls down on the radiator or into the air pipe of the inverter, the heat radiation function gets affected.
Inverters should be installed in a covered space, away from direct sunlight as it can cause solar power inverters to fail or reduce their life. To run a solar inverter efficiently, you will naturally need a solar battery.
Taqon Electrico offers a wide range of different types of solar batteries that have a high-performance rate, low maintenance, corrosion resistance, and quick rechargeability. Contact us today for solar battery purchase and installation services.
Maintenance And Cleaning
Solar inverters are frequently kept in indoor places and hence it is critical to keep a check on them regularly to keep them clean and free of dust which can accumulate over time. Regular cleaning and inspection should be done to prevent electrical components, heat sinks, and vents from being clogged or damaged.
It’s also equally important to maintain proper ventilation to prevent overheating. Additionally, monitor your inverter thoroughly every few months. Ensure that there are no modifications or circumstances in the vicinity of the device. If any apparent damages are found, ask your solar provider to take corrective measures.
Fault Codes
Solar inverters also have some chances of getting fault codes. These fault codes help you identify the problems occurring in your inverter. If small issues are not addressed, they can progress to more severe problems and result in premature inverter failure.
Solar inverter error codes notify you of a situation threatening the normal operation of your solar power system. Many different things can go wrong and disrupt electricity generation from a solar system. The inverter will detect it and generate corresponding error codes to notify you.
You should be interested in inverter codes because their performance and lifespan are intricately linked to inverter error codes and taking appropriate actions.
Solar inverter error codes are numeric or alphanumeric characters generated and displayed by inverters to notify the owner that something is wrong with the solar power system.
For example, when the internal temperature is too high, the inverter may shut down to protect its internal electronic components. Different situations can make the internal temperature intolerably high.
But the inverter will not leave you guessing. It will detect the particular reason, then generate and display the code for the particular reason. After seeing the error code, you or your installer will know the problem and solution
Solar inverters come with manuals that list different fault codes and their meanings. Always check your inverter manual for reference when your inverter displays a fault code on the screen.
For example, when the internal temperature is too high, the inverter may shut down to protect its internal electronic components. Different situations can make the internal temperature intolerably high.
But the inverter will not leave you guessing. It will detect the particular reason, then generate and display the code for the particular reason. After seeing the error code, you or your installer will know the problem and solution
All solar inverters are created with the intention of making them last longer. The above-mentioned factors may have a major impact on the actual functioning of the solar inverter. We must be aware of all the elements influencing solar inverters’ lifespan and take appropriate steps to maximize that lifespan.
For example, if you are using the 3kva Must inverter, error 03 means that the battery voltage is too low. Fault codes enable you to troubleshoot problems within your solar system that are reported by the inverter.
Now that you have basic knowledge of how you can maximize the life of a solar inverter, it’s time to start looking for a high-quality inverter. You can never go wrong with Taqon Electrico solar products which are well known for offering maximum durability, efficiency, and value for money. Contact our sales team to get a free solar quotation.
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