Inverters and equipment

While solar panels are the most visible part of a solar PV system, several other critical components work behind the scenes to convert, manage, and monitor the electricity your home generates.

1. The Inverter

The inverter is the “brain” of your solar system. Its primary job is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity produced by the panels into Alternating Current (AC) used by your home.

String Inverters

The most common and cost-effective option. All panels are connected in a “string” to a single central inverter.

  • Pros: Lower cost, easy to maintain (located in a loft or utility room).
  • Cons: If one panel is shaded, the performance of the entire string can drop.

Microinverters

A small inverter is attached to the back of every individual solar panel.

  • Pros: Maximises energy yield if your roof has complex shading. Provides panel-level monitoring.
  • Cons: More expensive and more difficult to repair (since they are on the roof).

Power Optimisers

A hybrid solution where optimisers are attached to panels but still feed into a central string inverter.

  • Pros: Offers shading benefits similar to microinverters at a slightly lower cost.

2. Mounting Systems

Mounting systems hold your panels securely to your roof or the ground. They must be strong enough to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads.

  • On-roof mounting: The panels are fixed to a frame that is bolted to your roof tiles. Most common for retrofits.
  • In-roof (Integrated) mounting: The panels sit flush with the roof tiles, replacing them. Often chosen for new builds or when re-roofing.
  • Flat roof mounting: Panels are placed on weighted “A-frames” to achieve the correct tilt angle.

3. Generation Meter

By law, every solar system must have a generation meter. This tracks exactly how much electricity your panels have produced in total. It is usually located near your inverter or consumer unit.

4. Monitoring Systems

Most modern inverters come with built-in Wi-Fi or cellular connections. This allows you to track your system’s performance in real-time via a smartphone app or web portal. You can see:

  • Daily, monthly, and annual generation.
  • Current power output.
  • System health and error alerts.

5. DC Disconnect and Safety Switches

For safety, your system will include manual switches that allow you to isolate the DC power from the panels and the AC power from the inverter. This is essential for maintenance or in the event of an emergency.

Pro Tip: If you plan to add a battery later, consider installing a “Hybrid Inverter” now. These can manage both solar panels and a battery, saving you the cost of adding a second inverter in the future.