A photovoltaic (PV) inverter is an inverter that converts the variable DC voltage generated by photovoltaic solar panels into AC power at the grid frequency. This AC power can be fed back into commercial transmission systems or supplied to off-grid systems. PV inverters are an important component of the balance of systems (BOS) in a photovoltaic array system and can be used in conjunction with general AC-powered equipment.
Photovoltaic inverters can only generate electricity during the day, and their power output is unpredictable due to weather conditions. Energy storage inverters, however, perfectly address these issues: during off-peak hours, they store the output energy in batteries; during peak hours, they release the stored energy, reducing pressure on the grid; and in the event of a grid fault, they switch to off-grid mode to continue supplying power. So, what are the functional differences between photovoltaic inverters and energy storage inverters?
The main functional differences between photovoltaic inverters and energy storage inverters are as follows:
1. Traditional photovoltaic inverters have a self-consumption rate of only 20%, while energy storage inverters have a self-consumption rate as high as 80%.
2. In the event of a mains power failure, the grid-connected inverter will be paralyzed, but the energy storage inverter can still operate efficiently.
3. With the continuous reduction of subsidies for grid-connected power generation, the returns from energy storage inverters are higher than those from photovoltaic inverters.
4. Photovoltaic inverters can only generate electricity during the day, and their power output is affected by the weather, which is unpredictable. Energy storage inverters can perfectly solve the problems associated with photovoltaic inverters.
