Comparison Must PH18-3024 PLUS vs 2E 2E-VP-3K24

— Autonomous inverter. Voltage and power converters that are not connected to an external electrical network. They are supposed to be used as part of autonomous photovoltaic systems - such inverters generate electricity, which is spent exclusively for the needs of the household. It can be consumed directly by household appliances or accumulated in batteries. This type of inverter is often called off grid.

— Network inverter. Inverters operating synchronously with the external power supply network. They are designed to convert solar energy into alternating power with the parameters of the general network. Grid-connected inverters are used in battery-free systems - all generated energy is used for own consumption, and the excess is transferred to the network at a “feed-in tariff”. To do this, some indicators of generated electricity are adjusted, in particular, amplitude differences are eliminated, the network frequency is equalized, etc. Grid-tied inverters are also known as on-grid inverters.

— Hybrid inverter. Battery-grid inverters are peculiar hybrids of autonomous and network converters. Actually, this is where the name hybrid comes from. Inverters of this type work with battery chains, and excess electricity is sent to the general network. This ensures the energy independence of the system based on solar panels with the ability to use the...energy accumulated in the batteries without disconnecting from the network. For example, if DC power is prioritized, power is primarily supplied from batteries, and any energy shortages are supplied from the external grid. This comes in handy in case of bad weather conditions or insufficient power generated by solar panels. If electricity is generated in excess, the excess energy is released into the general network at a “feed-in tariff”.

— Inverter for campers (motorhomes). Such narrow-niche inverters usually work in conjunction with a branded charging station - while staying at a campsite, it charges the vehicle’s battery. And while driving, such inverters are connected to the car’s alternating power generator and with their help, the energy reserves in the battery cells of the charging station are replenished.

Inverter efficiency for solar panels.

The efficiency indicator is the percentage ratio between the amount of energy that the device delivers to the load and the energy consumed from the solar panel. The higher this parameter, the more efficient the operation of the device and the lower the losses during conversion. In modern inverters for solar panels, efficiency values of up to 90% are considered average, and above 90% are considered good.

The current strength that the device is capable of stably and safely delivering when operating in rated mode (i.e. for the longest possible time without the risk of overloads and failures). The indicator is expressed in Amperes (A).

The maximum amount of direct current in amperes that the inverter can convert. If the solar panel produces a current exceeding this value, the inverter simply does not use it. This is often justified when connecting an inverter to high-power solar panels - the maximum input current of the inverter is reduced to acceptable values so that moderate-sized wires can be used to transmit energy.

The maximum allowable input power from solar panels, expressed in kilowatts (kW). Let us remember that 1 kW contains 1000 W.

When selecting an inverter based on this indicator, they are based on the total power of the solar panels involved in generating electricity. Moreover, it often makes sense to select models with an inverter input power slightly less than the maximum power of solar panels - for example, if they are shaded part of the time or for other reasons do not receive enough sunlight during the day. The power of the solar battery should not exceed the power of the inverter by more than 30%. However, for some inverters the excess can be only 10%, while for others it can be up to 100%. It is better to clarify this point in advance.

The operating range of the inverter is usually located between the starting voltage and the maximum voltage. This interval is indicated in volts.

The maximum solar panel short circuit current that the inverter can accept without the risk of breakdown or emergency shutdown. The parameter is usually indicated in amperes.

Built-in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) system for monitoring the maximum power points of photovoltaic modules in solar panels. It determines the most optimal ratio of voltage and current drawn from the solar panels, thereby ensuring maximum performance of individual strings (chains of series-connected panels). An MPPT controller is useful under any external weather changes, allowing solar panels to generate power even in cloudy conditions. Modern inverter models can contain either one or several MPPT trackers (up to six), which allow for the connection of multiple arrays with different orientations and angles of inclination, thereby eliminating the mutual influence of one array on another. Each MPPT controller output is designed to connect one string.

— UPS function. Inverters with a UPS function automatically switch to battery-powered mode when there is insufficient power generation from solar panels or in cases where the main power source is disconnected. This ensures load redundancy. Note that switching may not occur instantly, but with a certain delay (about 10-30 ms).

— Connecting the generator. Inverters that support the generator connection function significantly increase the reliability and efficiency of autonomous solar energy systems. In practice, the function can be implemented in several basic ways. First, the system can automatically turn the generator on and off depending on the battery charge level or current power consumption, ensuring efficient use of resources and minimizing fuel consumption. Secondly, switching the load to the generator can be carried out when there is a shortage of electricity generation from solar panels. And thirdly, the generator can be used to maintain an optimal battery charge level so that the system is in full readiness at any time.

— Parallel connection. The inverter has special connectors through which two or more devices can be connected to a single electrical network. Parallel connection is used when one inverter is not able to pull the entire load from solar panels and the input power exceeds the capabilities of the device itself.

— ...href="/en/list/598/pr-50306/">Built-in monitoring. The presence of a built-in monitoring module on board the inverter, which collects information about the productivity of solar panels, allows you to monitor energy production and consumption, as well as monitor the performance of the system as a whole. Moreover, these parameters can often be viewed and controlled in real time (including through a mobile application for a smartphone). The monitoring module is usually connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi network.