Understanding DC/AC Ratio
Thus the nameplate rating of the inverter is its capacity to process the power of the PV array. For example, a 7.6 kW inverter can produce an output of up to 7.6 kW AC. A 9 kW DC solar array
Solar inverter sizing refers to choosing an inverter with the appropriate AC output for your solar panel system's DC input. It's about matching capacity and performance, without wasting energy or breaching local export limits. Inverter size is measured in kilowatts (kW). It should match your solar array within a 1.15 to 1.33 ratio.
Because the PV array rarely produces power to its STC capacity, it is common practice and often economically advantageous to size the inverter to be less than the PV array. This ratio of PV to inverter power is measured as the DC/AC ratio. A healthy design will typically have a DC/AC ratio of 1.25.
To calculate the DC/AC ratio for your solar system, use this simple formula: Total Solar Panel Capacity (DC Watts) ÷ Inverter Capacity (AC Watts) DC/AC Ratio = 8000 ÷ 7000 = 1.14 This calculation helps ensure your inverter can handle the system's maximum DC power efficiently.
This means your inverter doesn't need to power your entire home—it just converts whatever your panels generate. Let's say you have a 6kW solar array (twenty 300-watt panels). Your inverter needs to handle that 6kW of DC power, regardless of whether your home uses 2kW or 10kW at any given moment.
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