Every grid-tied solar power system needs an inverter, and there are a lot of different ones on the market. Today we’ll help you narrow down your choice, because we’re focusing on the best of the bunch: the HD Wave Inverter from SolarEdge.
The SolarEdge HD Wave is one of the most innovative grid-tied inverters on the market today: 50% smaller than most inverters and with an efficiency rating of 99%. It sports a number of improvements over traditional inverters, and SolarEdge spent a lot of time developing it to be the next leap forward in the industry – likened to the jump from “fat-backed” televisions to flat-screen plasma displays: it’s a huge innovation.
But before we dive into the details of the HD Wave and what makes it so great; let’s take a look at why the inverter plays such an important role in a Solar System setup.
Why do we need an inverter anyways?
The inverter is the “brain” of your solar system. It manages your power flow, taking the DC power produced by the solar panels and “inverting” its current into AC power for your appliances and home electricity.
DC power is “unidirectional,” meaning it flows in one direction. This is what your solar panels produce when they convert the sun’s heat and light into electricity.
AC power “alternates” by changing the direction of the power flow periodically. This is the type of energy your home uses to power its appliances and devices.
The more efficient your inverter is, the more you can take advantage of the sun’s energy, and the HD Wave Inverter is currently the most efficient grid-tied inverter on the market.
SolarEdge Leads the Pack for Innovation
This revolutionary new grid-tied inverter doesn’t come without a fair share of competition. There are hundreds of other inverter manufacturers in the world, so SolarEdge had to truly change the game in order for their design to come out on top.
SolarEdge’s innovations proved so revolutionary, in fact, that they were awarded the Intersolar Award in 2016. This prestigious award is granted to companies deemed instrumental in driving forward progress in the solar industry.
The HD Wave Inverter is not only more efficient, but it’s also considered to be one of the most reliable systems on the market. SolarEdge stands by their new technology by providing lifetime system monitoring services and a 12-year standard warranty.
6 Reasons Why the HD Wave is the New Gold Standard for Inverters:
- Smaller and lighter for easy installation. The small form factor of the HD Wave Inverter makes it easy for DIY installers. It weighs less than 25 lbs (regular inverters weigh much more, 50-100 lbs!).
- Rated at 99% efficiency by the California Energy Commission (CEC). Most traditional inverters, when converting DC to AC, will lose 3-5% efficiency. But the HD Wave Inverter only loses 1%—allowing your system to produce more energy on average. Improvements include:
- New digital processing technology
- 16x less magnetics than other inverters
- Newly optimized capacitors that improve power output.
- The SafeDC System: Limits each panel’s output to 1 volt. (discharging capacitors and shutting down power optimizers). This makes it safe for installers, firefighters, and maintenance personnel who are working on or around your panels.
- Four-button touch panel interface on the front of the HD Wave allows for smooth operation. This allows for easy setup and adjustment of your system.
- 12-year standard warranty ensures the system holds up over time, and can be repaired or replaced. This can be upgraded to a 20 or 25 year warranty for added peace of mind.
- Lifetime system monitoring (household energy consumption & production app) – sign into your SolarEdge account and keep track of your system diagnostics, PV panel performance and power flow from your computer or phone. You can even track faults or issues that crop up in real time, so you can make repairs and adjustments as soon as possible.
The SolarEdge HD Wave Inverter is available for most solar systems, sized at 3.8kW, 5kW, 6kW, and 7.6kW Watt modules, with 10kW and 11.4kW sizes coming soon, allowing it to be used for most grid-tied solar power systems.
