What Are Grid Tie Inverters?
Grid tie inverters are special pieces of equipment that are used to create a renewable source of energy that can be used to power homes, businesses, and more. They are able to do this by converting direct current (DC) energy into alternating current (AC) energy. This energy can then be fed back into the power grid and even sold to an electric company for a small profit. The one drawback of these machines is that they cannot be used in a standalone application where utility power is not in use. The following will discuss how these machines work and which applications they are most suitable for.
Grid tie inverters begin by taking DC power from the source, typically photovoltaic modules or small hydroelectric turbines, and turning it into AC power which can be used in a grid. It is also crucial that the power is synchronized with that of the grid, which can be accomplished by local oscillator. Most modern models these days feature built in power factors which perfectly line up the output voltage with the current. They also contain computers which sense the waveform of the AC grid and match the output energy accordingly. In order to get a better understanding of how they work, it will be beneficial to look at a schematic drawing.
When you are in the market for grid tie inverters, one brand that you may want to look at first is Emphase. These are typically used for solar panels in order to convert the DC energy they create by coming in contact with the sun’s rays into usable AC energy. These systems use a small set of units that connect directly to each solar module and can even transmit performance data to the user. Emphase is the choice for you when you are looking for a highly reliable system that offers you the ability to respond as quickly as possible to any performance issues.
An interesting thing about grid tie inverters is that they are programmed to disconnect from the power grid automatically if there is a blackout. This is done in order to protect any line workers who may show up to fix the grid from accidentally getting electrocuted by the machine.
There are many places where these grid tie inverters may be purchased, both online and in brick and mortar stores. One of the benefits of buying them over the Internet is that they can often be purchased at a discount. Of course there are drawbacks as well since you will have to pay shipping and you won’t have the peace of mind that comes with making a purchase face to face. If there are complications you will have to pay to have it returned and the company you buy the equipment from may not be as willing to be of service.
