Inside Renewable Energy Micro-inverters vs. Central Inverters: Is There a Clear Winner?

In recent years, the solar industry has seen radical change in the inverter space. On the utility side, inverters have been getting bigger in order to accommodate massive, multi-megawatt projects. On the residential side, they've been getting smaller and more adaptable, opening up the market for "plug and play" systems. This has created more choices for consumers and installers. But it also raises the question: Is one technology better than the other? In this podcast, we'll debate that question with a group of engineers who represent different companies in the sector. We'll also look at how these new technologies have changed the way installers design and develop residential, commercial and utility-scale projects. Leo Casey, chief technology officer for Satcon, talks about why the company believes that central inverters are a more bankable, cost-effective approach to developing large-scale solar systems. Michael Lamb, vice president of business development for the start-up eIQ Energy, describes how his company's maximum power point tracking technology will make central inverters more responsive to module-level problems in a solar array and increase the power output of a system. Raghu Belur, vice president of Enphase Energy, tells us why he thinks the micro-inverter – which is installed directly on the back of a panel – is a better choice for both residential and commercial applications. And Chris Edgette, director of Strategen Consulting, discusses why the debate around these technologies can get a bit murky. He'll also talk about what these new advances in technology mean for installers and their customers. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.