Power Inverters
What is a Power Inverter?
Basically, they are devices that turn your vehicle battery’s direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) – the kind of electricity you have in outlets in your house, that are connected to the energy grid.
Having a power converter means you can plug in your appliances and devices, and power them like you would through an electricity outlet in a house.
In your car, you can get USB adaptors for your cigarette lighter so that you can charge your phone or plug in your satnav. But for larger gadgets and electronics with proper plugs, you’ll need an inverter.
Other Features and Tips:
- Power inverters are especially useful if you are setting up a solar power system – they convert energy from the sun into electricity you can use to power your gadgets within your vehicle. This is renewable energy that isn’t a drain on your vehicle's battery.
- Power inverters aren't just for vehicles - if you have a small cottage or outhouse, they’re very useful for setting up a small power source there.
- Many (but not all) power inverters come with USB outlets, useful for charging on the road without having to cart around adaptors and large plugs. For ease of use, get one compatible with USB.
- The best inverters have digital screens which show you how much energy has been consumed and information about battery voltage. It's useful to know these things at a glance, so consider getting one that has a screen.
- Modern inverters have been made to be extra-quiet, so you won’t be woken up by a noisy machine while trying to simultaneously get some sleep and charge your phone in your RV.
Advantages of Power Inverter:
- Can be an energy efficient way of changing voltage.
- Can step voltage up or down.
- Can provide electrical isolation between input and output.
- Can provide an AC voltage from a DC source.
- Can smooth out random variations in input voltage.
- Can be used to produce 50 Hz from a 60 Hz supply or vice versa.
Features & Benefits of Solar Power Inverter:
- Proven and reliable technology – More than 15,000 MW of the same inverter technology installed around the word (in the wind industry applications).
- Fine-tuned for Indian conditions – More than 1,500 MW of these inverters have been manufactured by ReGen and are running in our ReGen wind turbines all across various states (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh) in India.
- Sustaining varied climatic conditions: High temperature ~50+°C, High humidity, along the coast and extreme dust.
- Higher output voltage – Output voltage is 620VAC and hence the output 3 phase AC current is less compared to competitors with similar power rating. Lower currents results in reduced losses at the LV/MV transformers and AC transmission side in general.
- Futuristic technology – Ready for the to-be introduced grid code in India and LVRT compliant. Leading the world with the first megawatt-class wind-solar hybrid technology brought to reality.
- Early to rise and late to bed – The step-up IGBT functionality, master-slave configuration and phase-wise power generation enables the inverter to start producing power in the early and late hours of the day; adding value to the investment.
- Modular mounting system – Makes routine maintenance and servicing very quickly and ensures maximum uptime (The inverter can run on partial load while few IGBTs are being replaced).
Types of Inverters:
There are 3 types of inverters today that are used today: central, string and microinverters. All of these perform basically the same functions, the only difference being the scope of their applications.
Central inverters:
this type of inverter is the largest in terms of capacity and is the one that is most commonly used for utility-scale systems such as solar farms. Their sizes can range from 100kW to a few megawatts. These inverters are usually designed to connect directly to the electric grid, which is why they usually come in a package that includes a power station. They also have the advantage of being cheaper in terms of per kilowatt cost and easier installation and management.
String Inverters:
this type of inverter is the one that is usually used for residential and commercial systems, with sizes that range from 1kW to 100kW. They also come in 3 different types: on-grid, off-grid and hybrid, the use of each depending on the project’s specific requirements.
Micro Inverters:
this type of inverters is the youngest among the 3, but is now slowly gaining popularity and market share. As their name suggests, microinverters are the smallest out of all the 3 types, which limits their application to residential solar PV systems. However, as microinverter technology improves over time, it is also slowly being used for commercial and even utility-scale applications. Their sizes usually range from 250W to 1kW, which accommodates 1-4 PV modules.