Comments on: Clean Energy Intro: What is an Inverter? http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/ Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:46:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Enphase Energy Unveils Most Efficient Microinverter in World – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-100620 Enphase Energy Unveils Most Efficient Microinverter in World – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:00:23 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-100620 [...] to the Engage System the company unveiled officially yesterday. Enphase is the market leader in solar microinverters and, while microinverters may not turn most people on, they are [...] [...] to the Engage System the company unveiled officially yesterday. Enphase is the market leader in solar microinverters and, while microinverters may not turn most people on, they are [...]

]]> By: Enphase Energy Unveils Most Efficient Microinverter in World – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-100621 Enphase Energy Unveils Most Efficient Microinverter in World – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:00:23 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-100621 [...] to the Engage System the company unveiled officially yesterday. Enphase is the market leader in solar microinverters and, while microinverters may not turn most people on, they are [...] [...] to the Engage System the company unveiled officially yesterday. Enphase is the market leader in solar microinverters and, while microinverters may not turn most people on, they are [...]

]]> By: Saverio http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-77522 Saverio Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:56:41 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-77522 Talking about price, if this page is correct http://www.smartgridelectronics.com/2009/12/what-is-inverter.html then the price also depends on the fact or being able to inject power into the grid or not. Maybe if you have large panels you go for the grid-tie inverters, while if you have a small panel on your cabin, a standalone one is ok (at least if you have few small devices: lights, radio, tv....) Talking about price, if this page is correct
http://www.smartgridelectronics.com/2009/12/what-is-inverter.html
then the price also depends on the fact or being able to inject power into the grid or not.
Maybe if you have large panels you go for the grid-tie inverters, while if you have a small panel on your cabin, a standalone one is ok (at least if you have few small devices: lights, radio, tv….)

]]> By: Trev http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-215 Trev Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:42:26 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-215 Hi, and thanks for the info on inverters. I'm coming into this as a complete novice. I bought a 200 year old ex-watermill in France 4 years ago.... and for four years have been watching the streams which run thru my property pass away into the valley below. I'm determined to try to harness this wasted energy. I've a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. Hi, and thanks for the info on inverters. I’m coming into this as a complete novice. I bought a 200 year old ex-watermill in France 4 years ago…. and for four years have been watching the streams which run thru my property pass away into the valley below. I’m determined to try to harness this wasted energy. I’ve a lot to learn, but I’m getting there.

]]> By: Trev http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16883 Trev Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:42:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16883 Hi, and thanks for the info on inverters. I'm coming into this as a complete novice. I bought a 200 year old ex-watermill in France 4 years ago.... and for four years have been watching the streams which run thru my property pass away into the valley below. I'm determined to try to harness this wasted energy. I've a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. Hi, and thanks for the info on inverters. I’m coming into this as a complete novice. I bought a 200 year old ex-watermill in France 4 years ago…. and for four years have been watching the streams which run thru my property pass away into the valley below. I’m determined to try to harness this wasted energy. I’ve a lot to learn, but I’m getting there.

]]> By: olumide St James http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-214 olumide St James Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:04:29 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-214 I got involve with the marketing of inverters about 3 years now and I have come to appreciate how wonderful the device is. In Africa where electricity fron the grid is in short supply and so a lot of supply outages, the inverter comes handy. The few hours of supply from the grid will be sufficient to store enough of converted AC in the batteries (as DC) which is reconverted by inverters whenever there is outage from the grid. The efficiency of inverter continues to improve. This is cheering. I beleive too that the cost will soon start to come down with improved production method and efficiency I got involve with the marketing of inverters about 3 years now and I have come to appreciate how wonderful the device is. In Africa where electricity fron the grid is in short supply and so a lot of supply outages, the inverter comes handy. The few hours of supply from the grid will be sufficient to store enough of converted AC in the batteries (as DC) which is reconverted by inverters whenever there is outage from the grid. The efficiency of inverter continues to improve. This is cheering. I beleive too that the cost will soon start to come down with improved production method and efficiency

]]> By: olumide St James http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16882 olumide St James Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:04:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16882 I got involve with the marketing of inverters about 3 years now and I have come to appreciate how wonderful the device is. In Africa where electricity fron the grid is in short supply and so a lot of supply outages, the inverter comes handy. The few hours of supply from the grid will be sufficient to store enough of converted AC in the batteries (as DC) which is reconverted by inverters whenever there is outage from the grid. The efficiency of inverter continues to improve. This is cheering. I beleive too that the cost will soon start to come down with improved production method and efficiency I got involve with the marketing of inverters about 3 years now and I have come to appreciate how wonderful the device is. In Africa where electricity fron the grid is in short supply and so a lot of supply outages, the inverter comes handy. The few hours of supply from the grid will be sufficient to store enough of converted AC in the batteries (as DC) which is reconverted by inverters whenever there is outage from the grid. The efficiency of inverter continues to improve. This is cheering. I beleive too that the cost will soon start to come down with improved production method and efficiency

]]> By: Jennifer Lance http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-213 Jennifer Lance Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:44:36 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-213 Yes, I recently read about inverters being more efficient. Yes, I recently read about inverters being more efficient.

]]> By: Jennifer Lance http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16881 Jennifer Lance Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:44:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16881 Yes, I recently read about inverters being more efficient. Yes, I recently read about inverters being more efficient.

]]> By: Michelle Bennett http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-212 Michelle Bennett Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:23:12 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-212 Jennifer - oh yeah, Edison vs. Tesla as Tim Hurst mentioned. There was an article about a new inverter breakthrough that also had a little inverter history, but I couldn't find the page. My link and the corresponding link from Ecogeek didn't meet the proper story. If I remember correctly (big if), there hasn't been a major inverter breakthrough - until recently - in something like 30 years. They get smaller and slightly more efficient, but these new developments are very promising for the industry. (http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1316/) Jennifer – oh yeah, Edison vs. Tesla as Tim Hurst mentioned.

There was an article about a new inverter breakthrough that also had a little inverter history, but I couldn’t find the page. My link and the corresponding link from Ecogeek didn’t meet the proper story. If I remember correctly (big if), there hasn’t been a major inverter breakthrough – until recently – in something like 30 years. They get smaller and slightly more efficient, but these new developments are very promising for the industry.

(http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1316/)

]]> By: Jennifer Lance http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-211 Jennifer Lance Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:57:44 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-211 Sarah, not all inverters use modified sine waves. Our old one did, and true, we had trouble with some appliances humming or their motors burning up. We have a true sine wave inverter now, but as I mentioned in my comment, it is not new (15 years old, at least). I don't know anyone who uses straight DC anymore, it is very limiting. We had only a car stereo and lights when we ran straight DC. Michelle, when electricity first was developed in this country, the great debate was DC or AC. AC was chosen because of the size of the wires and the line loss from the DC power. Sarah, not all inverters use modified sine waves. Our old one did, and true, we had trouble with some appliances humming or their motors burning up. We have a true sine wave inverter now, but as I mentioned in my comment, it is not new (15 years old, at least). I don’t know anyone who uses straight DC anymore, it is very limiting. We had only a car stereo and lights when we ran straight DC.

Michelle, when electricity first was developed in this country, the great debate was DC or AC. AC was chosen because of the size of the wires and the line loss from the DC power.

]]> By: Jennifer Lance http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16880 Jennifer Lance Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:57:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16880 Sarah, not all inverters use modified sine waves. Our old one did, and true, we had trouble with some appliances humming or their motors burning up. We have a true sine wave inverter now, but as I mentioned in my comment, it is not new (15 years old, at least). I don't know anyone who uses straight DC anymore, it is very limiting. We had only a car stereo and lights when we ran straight DC. Michelle, when electricity first was developed in this country, the great debate was DC or AC. AC was chosen because of the size of the wires and the line loss from the DC power. Sarah, not all inverters use modified sine waves. Our old one did, and true, we had trouble with some appliances humming or their motors burning up. We have a true sine wave inverter now, but as I mentioned in my comment, it is not new (15 years old, at least). I don’t know anyone who uses straight DC anymore, it is very limiting. We had only a car stereo and lights when we ran straight DC.

Michelle, when electricity first was developed in this country, the great debate was DC or AC. AC was chosen because of the size of the wires and the line loss from the DC power.

]]> By: Sarah Lozanova http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-210 Sarah Lozanova Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:15:10 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-210 The price varies widely on application. DC appliances can be very pricey because they are not common and it might be hard to find certain appliances. Wire costs vary depending on the distance needed. If a solar system is not connected to the power grid, one can typically use a cheaper inverter so that AC appliances can be used. The energy wave is a square shape instead of a round one, so some motors may have difficulty running off of it. The price varies widely on application. DC appliances can be very pricey because they are not common and it might be hard to find certain appliances. Wire costs vary depending on the distance needed. If a solar system is not connected to the power grid, one can typically use a cheaper inverter so that AC appliances can be used. The energy wave is a square shape instead of a round one, so some motors may have difficulty running off of it.

]]> By: MichelleBennett http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-206 MichelleBennett Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:14:54 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-206 Jennifer: Thanks for that info! I didn't know about the heavier wires on DC power. I'm generally under the impression that if you decide to run your house on DC you'll probably spend just as much money for the special hardware (appliances, wire!, lightbulbs, etc.) as you would to just buy an Inverter. Can anyone confirm that? Jennifer:

Thanks for that info! I didn’t know about the heavier wires on DC power. I’m generally under the impression that if you decide to run your house on DC you’ll probably spend just as much money for the special hardware (appliances, wire!, lightbulbs, etc.) as you would to just buy an Inverter.

Can anyone confirm that?

]]> By: MichelleBennett http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16879 MichelleBennett Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:14:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-intro-what-is-an-inverter/#comment-16879 Jennifer: Thanks for that info! I didn't know about the heavier wires on DC power. I'm generally under the impression that if you decide to run your house on DC you'll probably spend just as much money for the special hardware (appliances, wire!, lightbulbs, etc.) as you would to just buy an Inverter. Can anyone confirm that? Jennifer:

Thanks for that info! I didn’t know about the heavier wires on DC power. I’m generally under the impression that if you decide to run your house on DC you’ll probably spend just as much money for the special hardware (appliances, wire!, lightbulbs, etc.) as you would to just buy an Inverter.

Can anyone confirm that?

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