What is the difference between microinverters and string inverters?
The main difference is where the electricity is converted from DC to usable AC power, and how your system performs if conditions are not perfect.
A string inverter is a single box, usually installed on a wall inside or outside your home. All the panels on your roof are linked together in a “string”, and they feed their power into that one inverter. The downside is that the whole system performs only as well as the weakest panel. If one panel is shaded, dirty, or under-performing, the output of the entire string is reduced.
A microinverter system has a small inverter mounted behind each individual panel. Each panel works independently, so shading, dirt, or faults on one panel do not affect the rest of the system. This typically delivers higher overall generation, better reliability, and far more detailed monitoring down to each individual panel.
In short:
String inverters are cheaper upfront.
Microinverters offer better performance, greater resilience, enhanced safety, and full panel-level monitoring.
We use the Enphase microinverter system, which is widely regarded as the leading microinverter platform in the world. The hardware is engineered for long-term performance and safety, and the software gives you live, panel-by-panel insight into exactly what your system is producing, using, storing, and exporting, all from a simple app on your phone or tablet.
