Solar power systems are very effective in capturing the power of the sun and converting this sunlight to current that can be used in your home. Even though the process of generating this current by the solar panels is fairly straightforward, the conversion and control of this solar generated electricity needs to be monitored to allow it to be used effectively. The inverter is the device that handles these complicated tasks and makes all of the parts of a solar power system work together flawlessly.

The primary job of an inverter is to take the DC current that is being generated by the solar panels and convert it into AC current at the correct voltage and frequency for your home. These inverters are sized to accommodate a specific amount of current and should be matched to your solar panels as well. In addition to converting this current, the inverter is also tied into your home's electrical system and supplies this solar generated current to your home for use. If more current is being produced than can be used by the home at a particular time, the excess can potentially be sent back to the local power utility by the inverter and a credit issued for the home.

Another job the inverter is responsible for is the monitoring and transition from solar power during the day to utility supplied power in the evenings. Since the inverter is connected between the solar panels and the local utility, it can easily monitor the solar panels' output and as it starts to drop off when evening approaches the inverter can gently transition to local power so the home has the electricity it needs. The home can use the credits it received during the day when it was selling power to the utility to pay for the power it buys back at night. Then again in the morning as the sun starts to rise, the inverter will slowly channel the power being generated by the solar panels back to the home and reduce the amount of power it receives from the power company. If a solar power system is designed correctly, this back and forth between solar-generated power and power supplied by the local utility could balance out and leave the homeowner without a utility bill to pay at the end of each month.

If you have decided to install a battery bank as part of your solar power system, the inverter will also monitor the charging of these batteries and even be able to use them as a source of power during a blackout. This bank of batteries can supply your home with hours of electricity if needed with no outside power.

Most modern inverters are sophisticated enough to be able to handle expanding a solar power system over time and can simply convert whatever additional power results from a homeowner adding more solar panels to an existing system. This flexibility ensures that you can start small with a solar power system and grow it over time as your needs dictate and budget permits.