Solar power generation is being actively promoted worldwide, and solar system are gradually entering homes, becoming a crucial pillar of household electricity supply. From household power generation to large scale solar power plants, solar technology is transforming our electricity structure. As a core component of solar system, solar inverter convert the direct current (DC) generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) required by the load. Many customers who have installed solar system have questions about nighttime operation of solar inverter: Will the solar inverter automatically turn off at night when there is no sunlight? Today, Xindun Power will discuss the nighttime operation of solar inverter.
The startup and operation of solar inverter rely on direct current (DC) power provided by solar panels. During the day, when sunlight shines, the panels absorb solar energy and convert it into DC power. When the DC voltage reaches the inverter's startup threshold, the inverter automatically starts, converting the DC power into alternating current (AC) for household use.
At night, the solar panels lose sunlight and can no longer generate enough DC power, causing the voltage to drop rapidly below the startup threshold. The solar inverter detects this change through its voltage detection module. To avoid unnecessary energy consumption and ensure equipment safety, it automatically enters standby or shuts down. This automatic start stop mechanism is protection mechanism of the solar inverter, extending the equipment's lifespan and reducing unnecessary nighttime energy consumption. Therefore, it is normal for solar inverter to automatically turn off at night.
If solar inverter automatically turn off at night when there is no sunlight, does that mean it can't supply power to the load at all? No. When users see the solar inverter enter "sleep" or "standby" mode at night, it doesn't mean the system stops supplying power; rather, the solar component pauses operation. Off grid solar inverter and hybrid inverter equipped with battery can normally switch to battery power to the load at night. Off grid solar inverter with battery not only meet household electricity needs during the day but also store excess energy in the battery. When there is no sunlight at night, although the solar inverter stops supplying power through solar energy, Xindun Power's solar inverter can automatically switch to battery power mode within 4 milliseconds, allowing household loads such as lighting, refrigerators, surveillance cameras, and streetlights to continue operating stably. For users in remote areas or areas with unstable power grids, using off grid solar inverter with batteries provides stable power supply at night.
Hybrid inverter offer more flexible nighttime power supply options. They can intelligently switch between solar power, battery power, and grid power based on actual electricity consumption. For example, in countries with peak valley electricity pricing, users can set up nighttime use of lower priced grid power to charge the battery, while prioritizing solar power during the day, reducing the cost of drawing power from the grid during peak hours. Even if the solar panels stop working, the hybrid inverter can still select the most economical power source from the battery or grid power to continue supplying the home, ensuring uninterrupted power supply at night. For scenarios requiring 24 hour power, such as homes, schools, offices, hospitals, and hotels, hybrid solar inverter and off grid solar inverter is key to achieving independent nighttime power supply.
How to achieve "efficient energy storage during the day and intelligent power supply at night"? To better utilize solar power generation, it is crucial to rationally manage the charging and discharging of solar inverter at night. Solar inverter with time of use charging and discharging capabilities are very popular in the market. They can pre-set charging and discharging times based on household electricity usage habits and grid price fluctuations (if there are peak and off peak pricing), achieving intelligent power distribution. For example, in countries with peak and off peak pricing policies such as the Philippines, South Africa, Brazil, and Nigeria, nighttime electricity price is lower and daytime price is higher. Users can reduce their daily electricity costs by intelligently scheduling the inverter's operating mode.
Xindun Power's HU and HP PLUS+ 10KW/12KW series are hybrid solar inverter with time of use charging and discharging settings. Users can configure the battery to charge from the grid at night and prioritize battery power during peak daytime electricity pricing based on local grid rates. Alternatively, they can schedule discharge at specific nighttime times to avoid wasted electricity and extend battery life. For example, in areas with peak valley pricing, the system can be set to automatically switch to grid compensation between 11 PM and 7 AM the next day (off peak hours) to fully charge the battery at the lowest possible price, avoiding the use of high priced grid electricity during the day. Simultaneously, the system can be preset to automatically switch to battery power during peak nighttime hours (e.g., 7 PM to 10 PM) to ensure stable operation of high power loads such as air conditioners and kitchen appliances, effectively avoiding peak hour grid price premiums and helping users save on electricity costs.
Here is detailed information about the HU and HP PLUS+ series solar inverter:
The HU series solar inverter provides DC 48V to AC 100/105/110/120Vac, L1-N-L2 (L1-L2: 200/210/220/240Vac; L1-N/L2-N: 100/105/110/120Vac). It is a hybrid solar inverter with high frequency design, pure sine wave output, and supports split phase input and split phase output or US standard single phase input and single phase output, suitable for countries with dual voltage output. It supports a combination of solar and AC power for load power and battery charging, and features time of use charging and discharging capabilities. Users can configure the inverter to use different charging and discharging strategies at different times of the day based on nighttime load conditions, resulting in more stable battery output at night and reducing the risk of shortened battery life due to prolonged high load operation. Up to six units can be operated in parallel, either single phase or three phase, allowing for easy system expansion. Equipped with built in MPPT solar controller and maximum solar input voltage of 500V, it allows for more flexible solar panel placement and higher power generation efficiency. It is compatible with lithium battery BMS communication and battery activation functions, extending battery life. When operating as a standalone unit, it can power the load using solar energy without battery, suitable for applications with low initial investment costs.
The HP PLUS+ solar inverter provides DC 48V to AC 200V/208V/220V/230V/240V. It's a parallel hybrid solar inverter that can support up to six units operating in parallel, with total power output of 60KW/72KW, meeting the needs of power system at different stages and making it the preferred choice for industrial and commercial applications. It also features customizable time of use charging and discharging settings, allowing for flexible optimization of operation based on peak and off peak electricity prices or usage habits. Charging can be done at night when electricity prices are lower, and solar power can be used to generate electricity for homes during the day, creating the most economical energy distribution model. It has lithium battery activation function and can achieve more refined battery management through BMS communication, comprehensively improving the system's safety, durability, and intelligence. It boasts an ultra wide solar output voltage of 500Vdc and built in MPPT solar controller, maximizing the efficient use of solar power.
For more information about solar inverter, please contact the Xindun Power team.
