Solar inverters are getting increasingly popular as the environmental benefits of solar energy are being recognized by a wider audience. One of the most important things to think about when buying solar inverters is how long the devices will last. Although many factors, such as product quality, installation, usage environment, and maintenance can impact the inverter’s lifespan. Doing regular maintenance on your solar inverter is crucial if you want it to survive as long as possible. Failing to do routine maintenance on your hybrid solar inverter will drastically reduce its lifespan and performance. Below are a few things that could affect how long solar inverters last.
Things that Affect a Solar Inverter’s Lifespan
Current and voltage input to the solar inverter.
The input voltage and current parameters must be precisely matched for the solar inverter to have a long lifespan. Inverter components will wear out faster when exposed to high voltage or current. The series elements’ voltages must be as near as possible to the inverter’s rated voltage in cases where the component power remains constant.
The internal temperature of the solar panel’s inverter.
The internal temperature of a solar inverter is a crucial factor in influencing its performance and lifespan. Excessive interior temperature has a detrimental effect on the inverter’s performance and lifespan. Temperature fluctuations can drastically reduce the longevity of components like capacitors; in fact, a ten-degree rise in the surrounding temperature could halve the component’s useful life.
Your solar inverter will work best and survive longer if you put it somewhere well-ventilated and out of the direct path of sunlight and other heat sources like electric stoves, boilers, and air conditioner outlets. The inverter’s internal temperature will stay constant, allowing it to operate at its peak efficiency.
Precautions and sanitation.
The electrical components, heat sinks, and vents of your solar inverter can be damaged or blocked by dust and debris, so it’s important to inspect and clean it often. If you plan on keeping the inverter outdoors, this is essential. To avoid overheating, it is also important to keep the ventilation system in good working order. If any damage is found, contact your solar supplier immediately so that they can take the necessary steps to fix it.
Solar inverter’s external environment.
A solar inverter will last longer if the outside environment is well-maintained. Positioning the inverter in a restricted space is recommended in areas with high levels of dust and other pollutants. This happens because dust, sand, tree leaves, and other particles might block the ventilation system, which in turn hinders the heat-radiating system’s ability to do its job.
Solar inverters can be set up either indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference. The main reason outdoor inverters are more expensive is because they are built to withstand harsh weather conditions. Installing them in a shady spot, away from direct sunshine, will either extend their estimated lifespan or keep them from failing altogether. A solar inverter cannot function without a solar battery.
Fault codes.
Fault codes are a useful tool for finding out whether there are any problems with a solar inverter. In the absence of intervention, seemingly little issues may fester and eventually cause the inverter to crash. For this reason, avoiding further harm requires meticulous attention to the fault codes.
Conclusion
To ensure that your solar inverter lasts longer, you must be aware of the factors that affect its lifespan namely the current and voltage input, internal temperature, sanitation, external environment, and the fault codes. If you want your solar inverter to last as long as possible, you must perform preventative maintenance on it correctly. Moreover, you must be very careful to purchase the right inverter.