An inverter is a vital part of a solar generator system. Many people wonder if they can install the inverter outside, and it is possible in most cases, but experts recommend installing them inside the home. There are several elements to consider while deciding on the perfect place. Before buying the best solar generator kit for your home, learn more about the inverter equipment and where it should be kept ideally.
Where should you ideally install a solar inverter?
Experts suggest keeping inverters near subboards. In modern homes, they are often found in garages. A subboard contains circuit breakers for the various circuits in a house. You can connect a solar inverter to this board, as it will already be connected to the primary switchboard. This is where your meters are generally read. In the case of businesses, there may be several subboards. The CEC designer will then calculate the cable runs between the boards and the central switchboard. It will help the expert determine the most suitable location for the inverters. There are other things to consider with a commercial design, like export control and network protection.
If you find it challenging to install the device inside, select an area near the primary switchboard that is not exposed to the elements. Today, most inverters come with IP56 ratings, which means they can be kept anywhere outside. Also, a user will not void the solar inverter’s warranty by doing this, even if it is exposed to the elements. If you tell the inverter case to significant sunshine, it will wear the materials down with time. Also, if the equipment becomes excessively hot because of the sun, it will not operate that efficiently. Additionally, keep your inverter away from heavy rains. The less exposure the device has to direct weather, the better.
3 other considerations for your solar inverter location
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Ensure remote Wi-Fi monitoring is possible
In the case of homes, the ideal location is where your Wi-Fi signal is available. Connect the device to your Wi-Fi, and you can then evaluate its performance remotely from your smart PC or gadget. Most people love this feature, but it is not that appealing for many, and they think of it as just a practical feature with some advantages. When you monitor a solar generator remotely, you can understand whether it is working as expected. If you ever encounter poor performance or machine malfunction, experts can diagnose it remotely. It saves you the time and money of bringing the product out of your property.
Also, you can check your Wi-Fi signal’s strength by standing at the prospective location with your smartphone. Connecting to the network will let you determine the signal’s strength. An inverter needs a solid signal to ensure a constant flow of data.
In the case of larger commercial systems, a 4G sim card is necessary along with the solar generator kit. Hence, Wi-Fi is less important here. It is not always the case, but in buildings used for commercial purposes, the inverter is not kept near an office that generally requires a Wi-Fi signal. It can be expensive to use a 4G sim card, but sometimes it is essential so that there are no problems with the internal security or firewalls.
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Distance from switchboards – cost and efficiency
If your solar inverter goes far away from the main switchboard or subboard, it will be less efficient. You can expand the cable size running back to the board with several variables. It will resolve the efficiency issue, but bigger cables and long cable runs signify more cost. Hence, it is always better to place the inverter near a board.
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Aesthetics – what does an inverter look like and where should you keep it?
Solar designers mainly focus on developing the most delicate machine possible. For them, the aesthetic side of where the pieces of equipment are located is secondary. Your home is where you live, and hence, you must ensure that the overall aesthetics is a treat to the eyes.
If you install the inverter outside, it will be less visible from the roadside. At home, the garage is the ideal place to keep the device, and you can also place it along the side of the building near the meter box. In the case of businesses, the devices will also be near the central switchboard or a subboard. These are found rarely in places where clients or staff will frequently be around.
If you are concerned about aesthetics and the inverter’s location has to be somewhere where it will be seen regularly, there is an exciting idea for you. Create a small enclosure to surround the machine. However, ensure that it is well ventilated and not entirely enclosed. If you think about this, check the producer’s requirements and installation standards. It will help you decide as you may risk voiding warranties otherwise. Further, you may breach the safety standards by building a non-compliant enclosure. Keep these in mind while placing an inverter in the ideal location.
Will there be an external conduit if the inverter is installed outside?
Plenty of homeowners tries to avoid using external conduit, which is the case around cables, where possible. It is impossible, though, in the case of two-story homes, even if you have the finest solar generator kit. If you dislike the external conduit running down the house’s wall and desire aesthetics, discuss it with the installer first. It can be minimized at times, but sometimes, it is essential for developing an efficient solar array.
A solar inverter’s location is vital to maintain its efficiency, aesthetics, practicality, and longevity. Ideally, all home inverters should be next to a subboard inside a garage. Also, all business inverters must be next to the main switchboard, but these are not always possible. Most manufacturers try to be flexible with the design, and homeowners should also try to get as close to the perfect arrangement possible.
