Market guide
Choose microinverter, string or hybrid architecture
Match conversion and storage architecture to the array, roof, service and outage planThe inverter architecture determines where DC is combined, where maximum-power tracking happens, how rapid shutdown is achieved, which components live on the roof and what must be added for a battery or outage. Begin with the site rather than a brand ecosystem.
Array
Map every module and electrical condition
Record module model, count, orientation, shade, Voc, Isc, operating current, temperature correction, roof plane, wire route and service voltage before choosing trackers or branches.
- Microinverters distribute conversion
- One-, two- or four-module units reduce high-voltage DC stringing and add module granularity, while putting more connectors and serviceable electronics on the roof.
- Strings centralize conversion
- Conventional strings use one or more inverter MPPTs; optimized strings add mandatory or selective module electronics with their own compatibility and service boundaries.
Storage
Define solar-only, battery-ready and backup separately
A hybrid inverter can expose a supported battery path without including a battery, transfer equipment, backed-up panel, load control or an islanding design.
- Grid tied normally stops in an outage
- Standard microinverter and string systems shut down with the grid unless the exact listed controls, transfer equipment and commissioned backup architecture are present.
- Battery compatibility is named
- Voltage class is insufficient. Use the current approved battery, firmware, meter, controller and listing combination for the exact inverter suffix.
Ownership
Choose where service risk belongs
Compare roof access, wall-unit replacement, optimizer or rapid-shutdown stock, fans, gateway, installer credentials, account transfer, warranty labor and local technical depth.
- Equipment price is not system cost
- Include trunk or string hardware, MLPE, gateway, meters, transfer, disconnects, protection, design, labor, permits, utility work and tax.
- No architecture guarantees yield
- Shade handling, DC oversizing, efficiency and monitoring cannot guarantee production, savings, uptime, backup, fire safety or permission to operate.
Evidence used
First-party sources behind this guide
- 01Current solar inverter equipment listCalifornia Energy Commission · checked August 19, 2026Open source
- 02Homeowner's guide to going solarU.S. Department of Energy · checked August 19, 2026Open source
- 03Solar interconnection standards and policiesU.S. Department of Energy · checked August 19, 2026Open source
- 04Solar photovoltaic system electrical safetyNational Fire Protection Association · checked August 19, 2026Open source