12V Solar Power Inverter Or 24V, Which One Is Better?

I am planning to start using solar power in my home. However, for a new person like me who doesn’t have much knowledge about the alternatives, buying the solar power inverter came as a challenge. A solar power inverter takes the energy stored in solar powered batteries and steps it up to 120 Volts AC (Alternating Current) power just the way you get from power grid.

When I researched about various types of solar power inverters, initially I was a bit confused about the choices available. There are basically three different options to choose from, such as a 12V inverter, 24V inverter and a 48V inverter. There are different applications for each of them and all three types of inverters can convert the power into 120V AC power. Although the 12V solar power inverter appeared more cost effective, I still studied more about them, and ended up considering the certain points before making my choice.

Given below are few points that helped in making my decision:

•       If you are on a budget and looking for the cheaper options, go for a 12V solar power inverter. However, if you have number of solar panels wired together, you can buy a 24V or a 48V solar power inverter. These panels will occupy more space and will require more initial investment than a 12V panel.

•       If you are more concerned about efficiency, a 12V inverter is not for you. In case of a 12V solar power inverter, there is a long distance between the solar panels and batteries. Therefore, electricity has to travel a longer distance resulting in the reduction of efficiency. To prevent this, you need to have a very heavy gauge wiring. In some cases, you might also need to use number 2 gauge wires.

I opted for a 12V solar power inverter because I had a small solar power inverter with relatively fewer solar panels. You should also consider various factors in order to weigh pros and cons of each type of solar power inverter before making your decision.