Will solaredge inverters produce if not paired? Systems applied to solar energy have developed over the recent decades to reach their destinations that have covered more efficiency, reliability, and user-friendliness. The heart of any such system is the so-called inverter, a vital device converting the direct current (DC) developed by any solar cell into alternating current (AC) ready for use by households or transfer back to the grid.
SolarEdge is among the top brands in the solar inverter market and has created a niche in innovation and power-driven inverters.
However, one of the most commonly asked questions among the solar community and customers is whether a SolarEdge inverter will generate any power when not matched with the company’s optimizers. In the following article, we will detail SolarEdge inverters, will SolarEdge inverters produce if not paired how much they are dependent on the optimizers, and what this means for the performance of a system.
Understanding SolarEdge Technology
SolarEdge has transformed the solar industry with a unique approach toward power conversion. While traditional string inverters manage the output of an entire string of panels altogether, SolarEdge offers a system with a central inverter and power optimizers. These optimizers are attached to the back of each solar panel and manage the output of each module on an individual basis.
This is a good design that brings a number of benefits, such as better efficiency of the system, comprehensive monitoring, and better performance in shaded conditions. Power Optimizers control and keep an MPP per panel at the optimal maximum power, hence more beneficial, especially when put in installations that have a high percentage of shading, panel orientation, or other performance-impairing factors.
Each SolarEdge system includes a power optimizer. Power optimizers control the voltage and current in each PV module to ensure the greatest possible energy yield, even in low-light conditions. By acting as the interface between the solar panel and inverter, optimizers facilitate real-time monitoring and system diagnostics.
In short, the SolarEdge inverters are designed to operate with these optimizers. Optimizers do the job of preprocessing the DC power from the panel and rendering it more efficient before the inverter receives it. The inverter turns this already optimized DC power source into the AC power used around the house or fed back into the grid.
This question is very important to many people who may be either doing some alterations to their solar system that is already in operation or troubleshooting a problem. In a nutshell, SolarEdge inverters cannot operate in the absence of an optimizer. And here is why:
System Design:
SolarEdge inverters are designed to work exclusively with optimizers. The inverter relies on the optimizers to keep the modules on and condition the power. Without an optimizer, the inverter is not fed the correct input voltage/current.
Communication Dependency:
The SolarEdge inverters depend upon communication with the optimizers with regard to monitoring and performance management. If the optimizers are either missing or not working, then the inverter will not be able to receive the data required to give operational effectiveness, which will result in the system being shut down or at a lower level of operation.
Safety Features:
Embed different safety features with the optimizers. These optimizers can automatically decrease the voltage of the panel to a safe operable level if an emergency pops up or the system needs to be shut down. If the inverter is not in tandem with the optimizers, then these safety features will not work properly, which can be quite dangerous.
Implications of Operating Without Optimizers
If the partners of a SolarEdge inverter are not connected to it, it will not work. This implies, for the most part, that the inverter will most probably not produce any power that will be able to be transduced from panels that serve up power that is unoptimized DC. Other issues that can arise when trying to run the system without the optimizers include:
- System Downtime: This might cause the inverter to trip into a fault state or total shutdown, halting the generation of power.
- Warranty issues: No doubt, the use of a SolarEdge inverter without optimizers would render it dysfunctional, and hence the malfunction of a system that carries a warranty, designed and intended to be used according to the advice given by the manufacturer.
- Safety Concerns: Again, such things as the safety mechanisms described above could fail, causing potential risks in dangerous electrical situations.
There are some cases when a homeowner may feel the need to use the SolarEdge system without the optimizers for their replacement of detached work optimizers or when in transition during a system upgrade. Still, in such a case, mind you, of course, the system will not work well or enough. It is always good to talk to a professional solar installer or SolarEdge support when making changes to the system configuration.
Conclusion
SolarEdge inverters are high-performance and reliable components in today’s solar energy systems. However, they work only with SolarEdge power optimizers. If an inverter is mismatched with an optimizer, the inverters do not generate the power now.
This is down to the inverters requiring the optimizers for power conditioning and to communication. For those already using or thinking of using a SolarEdge system, it’s essential to check that the optimizers are properly installed and functioning for optimum system performance and safety.
In case of problems or if you want to make changes, you have to consult with your trusted solar professional; that would be your best option to prevent system downtime and, likewise, to prevent hazards.
Get a Quote In case you are interested in integrating an inverter with a solar charger into your power system, do not hesitate to contact us today for your custom quote.
FAQs
Do SolarEdge inverters work with other optimizers from other manufacturers?
No, SolarEdge inverters are designed to work with SolarEdge optimizers only. Use of optimizers not of the SolarEdge brand in combination with a SolarEdge inverter is not recommended and can cause malfunction or damage to the system.
What if a SolarEdge optimizer fails?
If there is one SolarEdge optimizer that has failed, then one is up for the count as well, and everything else should still work. The inverter will show some types of errors, and the problem can often be identified in the control system. Replacing the optimizer that is not working correctly should be more comfortable.
Can a SolarEdge optimizer be bypassed?
It is not recommended to bypass a SolarEdge optimizer, since a bypass might affect a system’s design and result in lowered performance or incurring hazards not to mention the possibility of warranty voidance. The system is basically designed to operate properly when all the panels are connected to a power optimizer.