Why use 5kW inverter with 6.6 kW panels?

Author: Harry

Dec. 30, 2024

Energy

Why Does A 6.6 kW Solar System Have A 5 kW Inverter?

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When it comes to solar systems, the inverter is a critical component responsible for converting the DC current produced by solar panels into AC current.

However, the inverter&#;s capacity must match the solar panels&#; capacity to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

The size of an inverter is typically measured in kilowatts (kW), and it is crucial to ensure that its maximum output is at least 75% of the maximum output of the solar panel array.

This is necessary to ensure optimal performance and efficiency of the solar system. Regarding a 6.6 kW solar power system, an ideal inverter choice would be a 5-kW inverter.

This choice is because oversizing the inverter by 133% allows it to match the 6.6 kW solar power system while still operating within its optimal range.

The oversizing approach provides the flexibility to handle variations in solar panel output due to environmental factors such as temperature and shading.

It also prevents the overloading of the inverter and reduces the risk of component damage or failure.

Overall, selecting the right size inverter is crucial to ensuring optimal performance and efficiency of a solar system.

By choosing an inverter that allows for oversizing, such as a 5-kW inverter for a 6.6 kW solar system, it is possible to achieve maximum energy production and cost-effectiveness.

Is A 6.6 kW Solar Power System Sufficient To Meet Your Energy Requirements?

Many manufacturers offer 6 kW and 6.6 kW solar power systems as their best packages.

While 5 kW was once the preferred option, a 6 kW system is generally a good size for most homes and is particularly well-suited for medium to large families.

With a larger system, it is possible to take full advantage of the rooftop solar package&#;s benefits, especially if you add a battery and inverters to store a significant amount of generated power and remain off-grid.

To maximize the amount of sunlight that falls on the panels, expert installers take into consideration factors such as roof space and orientation.

However, the availability of roof space may be limited due to heavily shaded sections or unusual pitch.

In such cases, an installer can work out the best orientation for the panels to produce more energy to meet your needs.

Even with limited roof space, installers can ensure that the system produces about 80% of its rated power.

In deciding whether a 6 kW solar power system is enough for your needs, it is important to consider factors such as your household&#;s energy usage, available roof space, and the system&#;s orientation. Consulting with a professional solar installer can help you determine the best system size for your unique needs.

What Is The Amount Of Electricity That Can Be Generated From A 6.6kW Solar System?

On average, a 6.6kW solar system can generate 24kWh of electricity.

As the system generates electricity during the day, it will first supply the home with electricity, allowing for savings on high-priced grid electricity.

The excess electricity not consumed will be returned to the grid, resulting in a credit from the electricity retailer, known as a feed-in tariff.

To maximize savings from the solar system, consuming as much electricity as possible is advisable.

Can A 5kW Inverter Be Sufficient To Power A House?

When it comes to powering a house, a 5kW solar inverter can be sufficient, depending on the size of the house and the appliances used.

A 5kW inverter can generate up to 20 kW of power per day, which can power a house with multiple air conditioners and other electrical appliances.

With ideal weather conditions, this inverter can run a 2-ton split air conditioner for up to 9 hours.

However, the exact number of solar panels and battery storage required to run a house on a 5kW inverter will depend on factors such as the location of the house, the energy consumption patterns, and the available roof space.

For more 5kw invertersinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

What Distinguishes A 3kW Inverter From A 5kW Inverter?

Typically, a 3kW solar energy system requires fewer solar panels than a 5kW system, which makes it a popular choice for homeowners with limited roof space.

A 3kW solar energy system requires between 8-12 solar panels, depending on the quality of the panels, and uses around 15-20m2 of roof space.

On the other hand, a 5kW system usually consists of 15-20 solar panels and requires a total rooftop area of around 25-35m2.

While a 5kW system produces more energy, it requires more roof space and is a better fit for larger homes or those with higher energy needs.

Choosing between a 3kW and 5kW system depends on a homeowner&#;s energy needs and available roof space.

What Are The Battery Requirements For A 5kW Solar Inverter?

When it comes to a 5kW solar inverter, battery requirements depend on your energy consumption and whether you live off the grid.

If you&#;re generating 20 kilowatts daily, you&#;ll need a battery bank of six 200ah batteries. The required number of batteries will be lower as your daily energy usage increases.

There are also batteries available to store any excess power that is not being used, meaning the less energy you consume, the fewer batteries are required.

It&#;s important to note that the inverter&#;s input voltage will typically range from 96 to 120 volts. Therefore, you must choose batteries that can accommodate this voltage range and provide sufficient power to meet your daily energy needs.

How Many Air Conditioner A 5kW Solar Inverter Can Power?

A 5kW solar inverter can power a big-sized house with several air conditioning units and produce up to 20 kW per day.

It can run two 1.5-ton, BTU air conditioning units. Under ideal weather conditions, a 5kW solar inverter has a 9-hour runtime for a 2-ton split air conditioning unit.

However, it is unlikely that all the air conditioning units in a house will run at the same time. Each room may have a portable window air conditioning unit, but a 5kW solar system can handle the load.

The size of the air conditioning unit and the duration it runs determine its impact on the system.

Why am I offered a 5 kW inverter with a 6.6 kW solar ...

Standard Test Conditions vs Real life

Photovoltaic panels are rated at "Standard Test Conditions" (STC):

  • Irradiance = W/m²
  • Cell temperature = 25°C
  • Air Mass = 1.5

Those conditions are achieved in testing laboratories, and basically never happen in real life. Modules need to be cooled down in order for them to stay at 25°C.

W/m² is a lot of irradiance, and if it ever happens, it will be at a high ambient temperature. Photovoltaic modules get hotter under high irradiance, so a module under W/m² at 25°C ambient temperature might have a cell temperature of around 60°C. Cell performance decrease with increasing temperature, so your 300Wp modules will almost certainly never achieve 300W once installed on your roof.

Growatt MTL-S

Here is the datasheet for this Growatt inverter:

Growatt MTL-S has a maximum recommended DC Power of W and a max AC output of W.

Depending on your location, this inverter might indeed be too weak for the solar panels. At the very least, the company in charge of the design should check if there's a mismatch.

Is it dangerous?

An undersized inverter shouldn't be dangerous for your inverter or your house, though. According to this SolarPowerWorld article ("Solar inverters and clipping: What DC/AC inverter load ratio is ideal?"):

During times when the DC input power is too high, the inverter will raise the operating voltage of the modules to pull the array off of its max power point and reduce the DC power.

With a Euro-efficiency (a.k.a. average efficiency) of 97.4%, the Growatt MTL-S will radiate at most ~150W as heat.

Orientation, strings and MPP-tracker

You wrote in a comment:

The house is slightly L-shaped. I assume the majority of the panels will face north or south, with some on the east portions of the building. Slope I'd say is ~30° but that's a guesstimate

It means that not every panel will produce the same power at the same time and it might lead to further losses:

  • panels in series (a string) have to deliver the same current. They will only produce as much current as the worst panel. The proposed panels have bypass diodes in order to mitigate this effect, but it would be better to only connect together modules which are unshaded and which have the same orientation.
  • The proposed inverter has 2 MPP-Trackers, which can optimize the power output of two strings separately. It shouldn't be used with 3 different orientations. South orientation wouldn't make much sense in Australia anyway.

Ask for a simulation

There are are handful of reliable photovoltaic system simulation softwares (e.g. PV*SOL, PVSyst, NREL SAM, INSEL, ...).

Any serious PV company should have at least one license and be able to quickly simulate your planned installation, in order to check if there's any mismatch: not just for peak power, but also for maximum current, maximum voltage or MPP voltage range.

As a result, you'd get a:

  • potential energy yield [kWh/a]
  • a performance ratio [%]
  • a specific energy yield [kWh/(kWp.a)]

The energy yields depend on your location so it's not possible to give any estimate without more information. There are some easy to use online tools if you want to check yourself (e.g. PVGIS, PV*SOL online, NREL PVWatts Calculator).

If the performance ratio is lower than 85%, it probably means there's a problem with the design.

Are you interested in learning more about rising power inverter? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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