Optimizers vs. microinverters

There are three primary inverter setups you can use for your solar panel installation: string inverters, inverters + power optimizers and microinverters. String inverters are the original–and often cheapest–option, but both microinverters and string inverters paired with power optimizers provide a number of advantages that contribute to their high popularity in the residential solar market.

Many solar shoppers have trouble deciding between a microinverter and power optimizer setup (and we get it – they’re both great). Here’s an overview of both the similarities and differences to help guide your decision.

Similarities between microinverters and power optimizers

There are a few key similarities between microinverters and power optimizers:

• Performance: microinverters and power optimizers can help improve performance for solar panels on complicated roofs, or roofs that experience marginal shading during the day.
• Monitoring: both microinverters and power optimizers can monitor the performance of individual solar panels, meaning you can compare the amount of electricity one solar panel in your array produces versus another.
• System design: typically, solar companies install one module-level power electronic, or MLPE (e.g. microinverter or power optimizer), on the back of each solar panel. So, if your system has 25 solar panels, that usually means you’ll also need 25 microinverters or 25 power optimizers.

Differences between microinverters and power optimizers

While they offer many of the same benefits, the two technologies also have important differences to keep in mind as you’re making a decision:

• Where direct current (DC) converts to alternating current (AC): microinverters convert energy at the panel site. Power optimizers don’t convert DC electricity to AC – they “condition” the electricity and make it optimal voltage before sending it to a string inverter to finish the conversion process.
• Warranty: generally, both microinverters and power optimizers come with 25-year warranties. That said, while optimizers come with 25-year warranties, their string inverter companions may come with a shorter warranty term (generally 10 years).
• Storage capabilities: while both microinverters and power optimizers are compatible with battery solutions, one might be a better fit depending on your storage solution (and more specifically, whether you’re installing a DC-coupled or AC-coupled system). We recommend talking with your installer about the best inverter for your ideal battery setup.

Learn more about the differences between microinverters and power optimizers