In Mini PV systems, the balcony power inverter is responsible for converting the direct current generated by the solar modules into alternating current and feeding the electrical energy into the domestic power grid via Wieland plugs or Schuko plugs. Without an inverter, a mini PV system cannot function properly. Choosing a reliable and long-lasting inverter product is crucial to making your journey to energy independence smoother.

How to choose a qualified inverter balcony power plant?

The service life of a balcony power plant is usually up to 25 years, which is also the reason why investing in a balcony power plant is a worthwhile decision. Therefore, only qualified balcony power inverters can meet this demanding working environment and service life.

• Dust and water protection class：The working environment of the inverter balcony power plant is the outdoor environment, where it has to withstand the hot temperatures in summer, the rain in autumn and the low temperatures in winter. This requires not only excellent water resistance of the inverter, but also outstanding heat dissipation. The Tsun inverter is designed according to the IP67 standard, with the housing using a die-cast design and adhesive filling technology. This ensures that both water resistance and heat dissipation are excellent. When purchasing an inverter, make sure it has the appropriate dust and water protection ratings as well as efficient heat dissipation - this is crucial for a balcony power plant.

• Inverter efficiency：The balcony power inverter has the responsibility of converting the electricity generated by the solar panels. An excellent inverter can increase the conversion efficiency to over 95% (the peak efficiency of Tsun inverter is 96.7%). High conversion efficiency means less energy wastage and allows the balcony power plant investment costs to be recovered in a shorter time.

• Certification：If you want to start your own energy independent DC power source, you need your mini PV system first. If you know little about it, the best and fastest way is to check whether the product has the necessary certificates and approvals. Even the best product description cannot compete with authentic certificates and approvals. The balcony power inverter usually has to go through main certifications such as CE, EN 50549-1:2019, VDE-AR-N 4105:2018. It is also important to check the 'Certificate of NA Protection' and 'Unit Certificate' of the inverter model purchased. It is worth noting that Tsun inverter is currently the only manufacturer that has received the EMC62920-2017 certification from the German VDE laboratory. With the development and standardization of the balcony power plant industry, the importance of this certification is becoming increasingly important. Find out more about the meaning of EMC by clicking.

As a rule, you can buy with confidence if the above three requirements are met. For an 800 watt inverter, safety, stability and reliability are the evaluation criteria for the inverter.

Where is the balcony power inverter installed?

Conclusion: According to the manufacturer's recommendations, the installation location should be carefully selected.

The balcony power inverter can be installed both inside and outside. When the 800W inverter is installed indoors, it is not subject to the influence of extreme temperatures and weather, which can effectively extend the service life. However, many manufacturers recommend installing the balcony power inverter near the PV modules, usually behind or under the PV modules. This promotes water resistance, but is not conducive to the inverter's heat dissipation. Of course, the manufacturer only makes such recommendations if they have confidence in their product. Tsun micro inverter also offers a 12-year warranty. Therefore, you don't have to worry too much about where to install the balcony power inverter.

How to choose the power of the inverter balcony power plant?

Selecting the power of the inverter mainly depends on your current green energy needs and your plans to expand mini PV systems in the future. The inverter data sheets provide information about how many modules each inverter can connect and the performance range of an individual module. As long as you meet the requirements regarding the number of modules and power range, you can make changes to your mini PV system at any time.

Using the Tsun 800W inverter as an example, it can be connected to a maximum of two PV modules, where the power of each module should be in the range of 300 to 550 watts. This means that the maximum module power it can handle is 1100 watts. However, the output power is limited to 800 watts and cannot be increased later through software.

The 800 watt inverter can be set and throttled to 600 watts by the manufacturer. Currently, most 600 watt inverters on the market use this method to comply with regulatory requirements. Later, the inverter can be upgraded from 600 watts to 800 watts via the mobile app.

Therefore, when purchasing an inverter for a balcony power plant, it is absolutely necessary to clarify with the dealer whether the inverter can be throttled. Inverters that cannot be throttled deliver the rated power.