Solar Glossary

Microinverter

A microinverter is a small inverter fitted to each individual solar panel, converting DC to AC power at the panel itself rather than in a central unit.

Microinverter explained

Microinverters are small inverter units attached to each individual solar panel. Instead of sending DC power from all panels to a central inverter, each panel operates independently and sends AC power directly to your home's electrical system.

The key advantage is panel-level independence: if one panel is shaded by a chimney, bird mess, or a tree, only that panel's output is affected — the rest of the system continues producing at full capacity. This makes microinverters ideal for:

  • Roofs with multiple orientations (e.g. east- and west-facing panels)
  • Roofs with significant shading at certain times of day
  • Complex roof shapes with panels in different directions

Additional benefits:

  • Panel-level monitoring: you can see exactly how each panel is performing via an app
  • 25-year warranties: Enphase (the market leader) offers 25-year warranties on its microinverters, matching panel lifespans
  • Easier to expand: adding more panels is simpler as each is self-contained

The downsides: microinverter systems cost roughly 10–20% more than equivalent string inverter systems, and with more devices on the roof, there are theoretically more points of failure (though individual failures only affect one panel's output).

How this affects your solar decision

Microinverters are worth considering if your roof has shading or multiple orientations — the extra output can justify the higher upfront cost. Use the Solar Panel Calculator to see how shading affects your system design.

See how your roof layout affects inverter choiceSolar Panel Calculator

Related terms

String InverterA string inverter is a single central device that converts DC electricity from multiple solar panels wired together in a series (a "string") into AC electricity for home use.Hybrid InverterA hybrid inverter combines a solar inverter and a battery inverter in one unit, managing power flow between your solar panels, battery storage, home, and the grid.Shading AnalysisA shading analysis is an assessment of how shadows from trees, chimneys, neighbouring buildings, and other obstructions affect your solar panels' output throughout the day and year.AC vs DC ElectricityDC (direct current) is what solar panels produce; AC (alternating current) is what your home and the grid use — an inverter converts between the two.
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