All You Need to Know About AC Solar Panels
Here’s a question for you!
Do you know what goes into the installation of a solar panel system? If yes, then you would also know that solar panels are not the only components used for installation.
Solar battery storage units, racking, and inverters also go into the making.
The manufacturers are trying to develop technologies that can reduce solar installation costs. One such advancement is an AC solar panel.
This solar panel functions the same way as the others. But the fact that makes it different from the rest is that it comes with micro inverters installed.
So this means you don’t need a separate inverter when you set up a solar panel system. Excellent, isn’t it?
If you’re interested to get the details, let’s move into a detailed explanation about AC solar panel price, its features, and more.
What Are Alternating Current (AC) Solar Modules, and How Do They Function?
AC or alternating current solar panels are advanced technology inventions in the solar industry. They come with inbuilt microinverters.
You might wonder why microinverters are needed.
This is because you cannot use the direct current that panels produce to power up electronic devices. You need an inverter that can convert DC power into alternating current to run your home appliances.
Since manufacturers install microinverters in the alternating current solar panels, the microinverters can convert the sun’s energy into AC power within the panels and send it to the electronic devices within the house.
Difference Between AC and DC Solar Modules
You might think about how AC solar modules differ from DC solar panels.
Check out the following table to clearly understand these two modules and how they distinguish from each other.
| AC Solar Modules | DC Solar Modules |
| AC solar modules collect direct current from the sunlight and convert it into alternating current. This is again converted into DC for storing in the battery | DC solar modules collect direct current from the sunlight and can store it in the battery |
| The energy loss is more due to multiple conversions | The energy loss is less due to fewer conversions |
| For AC solar modules, the excess energy gets lost | After powering household appliances, the panels return the excess energy to charge a home battery |
Advantages of an AC Solar Panel
Yes, it’s true that DC-coupled solar panels are more efficient. But AC solar panels have their share of advantages too.
Let’s understand what those advantages are.
- – Since the inverters are already installed within the AC solar modules, the installers can seamlessly fit the other components and run the system without hassle.
- – While the solar panels come with a 25-year warranty, the inverters last 15 years. So, if you purchase an AC solar panel, you’ll get inverters that will last for 25 years.
- – The best part about an AC solar panel is that it works independently. So, if you find out that the panels are not working correctly, you can examine which panel is causing the problem and fix it. The energy production from the other panels won’t get affected.
- – These panels are highly flexible. Unlike traditional solar panels, they can be adjusted to different orientations and angles.
Disadvantages of an AC Solar Panel
If you’re planning to purchase AC solar modules, know their drawbacks too to make an informed decision.
- – The AC solar panel price is a bit on the higher side.
- – Due to microinverters fitted within the panels, an AC solar panel can be a little complex to maintain.
- – The energy efficiency is lower than DC-coupled solar panels.
Should You Purchase AC Solar Modules?
By analysing the pros and cons of an AC solar panel, you can decide whether to install one or not. But if you ask us, yes, they are worth purchasing.
These solar panels will serve your need for additional inverters and are also quite efficient for home installation.
Fortunately, these solar panels come with microinverters attached to the back of the panel. So, you can place them at any orientation you prefer.
Besides, since each solar panel works independently, you won’t have to worry about the panels falling under the shade. In such a situation, the other panels will keep providing power to charge the electronic devices.
Top 6 AC solar panel types you can count on
There are many AC solar modules in the market and it can be very confusing to find the right one. Hence, we have made a list of top 6 models that you can trust.
- Enphase AC Modules
Enphase is one of the industry’s most popular solar manufacturing brands. They have partnered with many solar manufacturers and have produced Jinko Solar Eagle AC, Solaria Power XT AC modules, and LG NeON 2 ACe.
- SunPower Equinox
SunPower also provides AC solar modules for residential installations. Initially, the company used its inverters to make an AC solar panel. But now they use the microinverters from Enphase.
- Solaria PowerXT Pure Black
Solaria’s alternating current solar panels also have microinverters from Enphase. You can choose to purchase 365-watt or 355-watt AC solar modules with Enphase IQ7+ microinverters.
- Q CELLS Q.Peak DUO BLK-G6+/AC
Q Cells’ AC solar PV panels have Enphase IQ7+ microinverters from Solaria. You can buy a 345-watt or 340-watt AC solar panel, depending on your house’s solar panel needs.
- LG NeON ACe
This company also features highly efficient AC solar modules with multiple power ratings. The company uses its microinverters and installs them within the AC solar modules before releasing them into the market.
- SunPower Maxeon 5 AC
You can purchase Sunpower’s Maxeon 5 AC with Enphase IQ7A microinverters. The inverters which are used in their solar panels provide 97% efficiency.
Conclusion
Even though they have a few cons, you can purchase alternating current solar panels for their impressive advantages.
Those mentioned above are the best companies where you can place your order for AC solar modules.
Ensure that you are purchasing the best AC solar panel. You can contact each manufacturer and learn about their modules’ specifications to make the right choice.
FAQs
Q. Is an AC solar panel expensive?
Yes, an AC solar panel is expensive. But the good part is you can use AC solar modules for solar system installation without spending additional money for inverters. Hence, AC solar panel price will save you from the expenditure that you’d had to otherwise do to buy an inverter.
Q. Is it easy to install AC solar modules?
Yes, it is easy to install AC solar modules as the installers don’t need to set up an inverter separately during the installation.
Q. If shade is on one of the AC solar modules, will it work?
If the shade is on one panel, the other panels will still generate energy.
Since these panels work individually, the solar panel system will not stop working if one panel fails to generate power.
