As more people become aware of the environmental benefits of solar energy and choose a solar panel installation in Madrid, solar inverters are becoming more widespread. Durability is one of the most important things to consider when buying an inverter, and its service life can be affected by product quality, installation, operating environment and maintenance.
Regular maintenance is essential to make your solar inverter last as long as possible. Without it, the life and efficiency of a grid-tied inverter can fall considerably. The service life of solar inverters is also affected by the factors below.
1. Installation environment
Looking after the area around a grid-tied inverter is essential. A clear, dust-free area extends inverter life. In dusty environments, the inverter should be installed in an enclosure, which protects its heat dissipation from dust, sand, leaves and so on.
Solar inverters can be installed indoors or outdoors. Indoor inverters are generally cheaper than outdoor models, which are built to withstand rain and intense heat. Even so, it is best to install them in a covered area.
2. Cleaning and maintenance
Your work does not end with the solar panel installation: cleaning and maintenance matter too. To stop dust and debris blocking or damaging electrical components, heat sinks and vents, inspect and clean your solar inverter regularly, especially if it is outdoors. Keep it properly ventilated to avoid overheating, and contact your solar provider immediately if you detect any damage.
3. Input current and voltage
To extend the life of a grid-tied inverter, the input voltage and current must be correctly matched. Excessive voltage or current shortens the life of the inverter’s components, so the string voltage should be as close as possible to the inverter’s rated voltage for a given module power.
Keeping the input voltage within the recommended range makes the system less prone to frequent faults and keeps it running for longer.
4. Internal temperature
The internal temperature of the inverter is one of the most important factors directly affecting its operation and service life: higher internal temperatures reduce both performance and life.
Many internal components of solar inverters, such as capacitors, are sensitive to temperature. As a rule of thumb, capacitor life halves for every 10 °C rise in temperature. Overheating can be caused by installing inverters in poorly ventilated places or in direct sunlight.
Install inverters in a ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and hot areas such as boilers, electric heaters and air-conditioning outlets, to extend their life.
5. Fault codes
Grid-tied inverter fault codes indicate potential problems, allowing you to identify issues and deal with them before minor problems lead to premature inverter failure.
Conclusion
Inverters of a given model are designed for a similar lifespan, but the actual service life of a grid-tied inverter can be significantly affected by the factors above. To get the longest possible life from your solar inverter, pay attention to all of them and take the necessary measures.
Get in touch
KEIKEN provides support for solar panel installation in Madrid. Our team will assess your premises and estimate their solar PV potential; a PV installation can save a significant share of your electricity bill, in some cases around 70%. Email info@keiken.es, call +34 910 577 254 or contact us.
