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Increasingly, greater performance is being demanded from solar installations: not only in terms of their efficiency and the amount of power they supply, but also in terms of their versatility. With regard to efficiency, the Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) technique makes it possible for the inverter to operate at the optimum point of its I-V (current-voltage) curve at all times. Factors such as orientation, latitude, level of radiation and temperature also have an influence on the performance of a solar panel.

With regard to versatility, the chief protagonist is the solar inverter, which bears initial responsibility for converting the direct current (DC) from the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) that supplies domestic appliances, machinery, lighting systems and all kinds of electrical devices. Thanks to hybrid technology, the inverter now plays a role that goes far beyond simple conversion.

The heart of the most efficient and sustainable solar installations

Hybrid inverters are designed to offer various modes of operation and to guarantee supply under any circumstances, regardless of whether they are used for self-generation, to store excess power in a battery, or to supply the mains network. Consequently, an inverter of this type is able to intelligently manage the power supplied by the solar panels in line with the requirements of the installation at any given moment.

In order to be able to do this, a hybrid inverter is in fact comprised of two inverters. On the one hand, there is the solar inverter itself, which converts the DC power produced by the solar panels into the AC power used in a home, business or other facility. And on the other is the battery inverter, which converts the stored DC power into AC for the same purpose. Additionally, and when necessary, the battery can be recharged from the mains, which is particularly useful when the weather conditions make it difficult to generate sufficient energy, doing so in windows when the price is lower.

As a result, hybrid inverters represent a considerable step forward in optimising solar installations by offering bidirectional DC/AC and AC/DC conversion. It’s also important to highlight their ability to regulate, allowing maximum utilisation of the sunlight that hits the solar panels even at very low levels (e.g., the early hours of the morning and the last light of day).

Furthermore, hybrid inverters increase resilience at times of energy insecurity, as they guarantee electricity supply under any circumstances. They are also competitively priced, as the battery can be added at a later stage. In fact, the battery-free operation mode incorporated in Salicru’s hybrid inverters – and specifically its EQUINOX2 HSX and EQUINOX HT ranges – ensures that power is still available even if the batteries are not connected, whether that’s because they have been disconnected for replacement or they have not been installed because the user has chosen to avoid this initial expense and consider purchasing them at a later date.

The high performance of these inverters is complemented by the simplified installation and operation provided by the free Equinox app. In short, these inverters are a next-generation hybrid option that offers optimum adaptation to the needs of homes and small businesses.