What are the Downsides of Microinverters for Long Island Solar?

A higher initial cost is the major downside of choosing microinverters over a traditional string inverter for Long Island solar. However, that additional cost pays off with a more efficient and resilient system that can provide a better return on investment over time.

Microinverter systems are also more complex because each solar panel has its own inverter. It’s important to choose a trusted contractor that is ready to provide long-term support and a robust warranty to get the most out of a microinverter system.

Learn why Power Solutions designs efficient solar with microinverters, and explore the benefits for your home.

What is a Solar Microinverter?

A solar microinverter is an electrical device that converts raw solar panel DC into AC for use inside your home.

With a microinverter system, each solar panel has its own inverter. This is different from a standard string inverter array, where each solar panel connects to a central inverter.

How Reliable are Microinverters?

Microinverters are designed to last as long as standard solar panels, which is around 25 years.

Because each solar panel has its own microinverter, your system will be more reliable overall. In a standard string inverter system, if the inverter goes down, then the whole array goes down. In a microinverter system, each panel operates independently, so the loss of one panel won’t affect the entire system. This improves overall reliability and also affects efficiency.

How Efficient are Microinverters?

Microinverters are highly efficient, especially if your roof is partially shaded during the day. If one or two panels are shaded, then the other panels can still run at their maximum efficiency. This means that your system will maximize its potential electricity generation regardless of the environmental conditions.

What Happens if a Microinverter Fails?

If one microinverter fails, the connected solar panel will safely shut down and stop supplying energy. This is the key difference between a microinverter system and a string inverter system. In a string system, the whole array would shut down.

Is it Worth Paying More for a Long Island Solar Panel Installation with Microinverters?

Yes, it is worth paying extra for a solar panel installation with microinverters.

• Each solar panel operates independently to maximize efficiency, which translates to better reliability and bigger savings over time.
• Microinverter systems are scalable. You could potentially add more solar panels as your energy needs change.
• Microinverters are perfect for complex roofing systems where there are multiple surfaces at unique angles.
• Panel-level optimization with partial shade can improve system efficiency by up to 25% compared to a basic string inverter system.

Microinverters can make solar more efficient and more valuable, but you need to consider the bigger picture to determine if solar is right for you.

Power Solutions is a trusted solar contractor on Long Island. We offer free consultations and can prepare a cost/benefit analysis to show you how much you could save with rooftop solar panels. This report is the most crucial piece of data you will receive during your solar journey. It will outline the potential savings relative to your current energy costs, helping to predict the solar payback period and total savings over the system’s lifetime.

Ultimately, solar can pay for itself, and a detailed cost/benefit analysis will show you how and when that will happen.

Start with a Free Home Solar Estimate Today

Efficient solar is the best type of solar. String inverters are simpler than systems with microinverters, but a slight boost in initial affordability isn’t worth the savings that you leave on the table.

Talk to Power Solutions today for your free ballpark solar estimate and let us take you through a guided process that will help you decide if clean energy is right for you. We provide the information. You make the choice. Our home solar consultants are available today.