What if my inverter is bigger than my solar array?

An inverter that is the same size (in kW) or larger than your solar array is being under-utilised. An inverter that is paired with a solar array of up to 33% higher powery will be operating at maximum power for longer each day. 2. Regulatory requirements But why a 6.6kW array of solar panels with a 5kW inverter?

What happens if a solar inverter is too small?

1. Energy Conversion Efficiency Undersized Inverter: If the inverter is too small, it cannot handle the full output of the solar panels, leading to energy losses due to “clipping” during peak production times. This limits the maximum power output to the inverter’s capacity, potentially wasting energy on sunny days.

Can a solar inverter be bigger than the DC rating?

The size of your solar inverter can be larger or smaller than the DC rating of your solar array, to a certain extent. The array-to-inverter ratio of a solar panel system is the DC rating of your solar array divided by the maximum AC output of your inverter. For example, if your array is 6 kW with a 6000 W inverter, the array-to-inverter ratio is 1.

Can a solar panel be more than 33% larger than an inverter?

Clean Energy Council regulations dictate that solar panel arrays cannot be more than 33% larger than the inverter they are paired with, otherwise the STC rebate will not be applicable. (The amount of the STC rebate is based upon the DC power output from the array of panels. So in this example, the STC is based on the 6.6kW of panels.)

Should a solar inverter be sized below the theoretical peak?

Wrong. It is quite normal and good practice to size an inverter at or below the theoretical peak of the solar array. There are sound reasons for this: The rating of a solar panel as quoted on its manufacturer’s data sheet is determined using Standard Test Conditions (STC).

Should a solar inverter be under-sized?

Solar inverter under-sizing (or solar panel array oversizing) has a become common practice in Australia and is generally preferential to inverter over-sizing. If an inverter is under-sized, this should happen within certain parameters – which accredited solar installers will be familiar with.