String Inverters (Huawei SUN2000-50KTL-M3) | Large residential, commercial solar systems | - 3-phase output (230V AC, 40A) - 98.5% efficiency (▲1.5% above industry avg 97%, IEC 61727 certified) - 50kW capacity - 5-year warranty (industry avg 10+ years for premium brands) | ▲ High efficiency for energy savings Cost-effective for large-scale systems Robust durability for outdoor use | Single point of failure risk ▼ Shorter warranty vs industry standards Less efficient with partial shading |
Microinverters | Residential systems with shading, complex layouts | - Per-module DC-to-AC conversion - 95–97% efficiency (IEC 61727) - 25-year warranty (▲15+ years longer than Huawei’s) | Maximizes energy harvest per panel No single point of failure Scalable design | ▲ Higher upfront cost Complex installation and maintenance Lower power handling (typically <10kW) |
Power Optimizers | Mid-sized systems needing partial shading optimization | - DC optimization per panel + central inverter - 96–98% efficiency (IEC 61727) - Modular scalability | ▲ Combines string inverter cost with microinverter flexibility Easier system upgrades | Still relies on central inverter (single point of failure) Higher cost than string inverters |
Central Inverters | Mega-scale commercial/industrial systems (>100kW) | - 500kW+ capacity (▲10x larger than Huawei’s) - 97–98% efficiency (IEC 61727) - Grid-tied only | ▲ Economies of scale for large projects High power handling | Fixed installation, no scalability Higher upfront cost No battery support |
Hybrid Inverters | Systems with battery storage (home/office) | - AC coupling + battery management - 95–97% efficiency (IEC 61727) - Supports LFP/lead-acid batteries | ▲ Energy storage integration for backup power Grid independence during outages | ▲ Higher cost vs string inverters Complex setup and maintenance Lower efficiency than string-only systems |
Off-Grid Inverters | Remote/off-grid locations | - Standalone operation with batteries - 90–95% efficiency (IEC 61727) - Works with solar/wind inputs | ▲ Full energy independence from the grid Reliable for remote areas | ▲ Requires battery storage (adds cost) Lower efficiency vs grid-tied systems Less scalable |