Key takeaways: String inverters, microinverters & power optimizers
Inverters convert the DC electricity that your solar panels produce into appliance-friendly AC electricity.
The three main inverter options available for homes residential and commercial solar installations are string inverters, microinverters and power optimizers.
Microinverters and power optimizers are more expensive than string inverters.
Microinverters and power optimizers are best for installations where one or more panels may be shaded, or where panels are facing different directions.
Microinverters and power optimizers allow you to monitor the power production of each individual panel.
A system that uses microinverters or power optimizers will produce slightly more power than a similar system with a string inverter.
