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1-phase inverters - Compact power for small PV systems
Single-phase inverters are ideal for smaller photovoltaic systems in the private or small commercial sector. They reliably convert the direct current generated into grid-compliant alternating current and are characterized by high efficiency, simple installation and low system costs. They offer an optimal solution for the economical use of solar power, especially when energy requirements are limited.
The range includes devices with different power classes and equipment - depending on the grid requirements, system design or desired monitoring function. Many models have integrated MPP trackers, interfaces for remote monitoring and options for subsequent storage integration.
Leading manufacturers such as Huawei, Fronius and SolarEdge offer single-phase inverters with proven technology and high operational reliability. These solutions are particularly suitable for detached houses, carports or smaller roof areas and enable the efficient and cost-effective use of solar energy.
What are 1-phase inverters?
Single-phase inverters convert the direct current (DC) generated by solar modules into grid-compliant alternating current (AC). They are particularly suitable for smaller photovoltaic systems in private households or small commercial applications with an energy requirement of up to around 10 kW. These devices offer a simple, reliable and cost-effective solution for converting electricity.
How do 1-phase inverters work?
The direct current generated is converted directly into alternating current, which is either fed into the power grid or used on site. Single-phase inverters are easy to install, operate stably with moderate consumption and maximize the energy yield of small PV systems thanks to their efficiency.
Advantages of 1-phase inverters
Cost-effective solution:
1-phase inverters are particularly inexpensive to purchase and install. They are cheaper than 3-phase devices as they use simpler technology and are designed for smaller systems. This eliminates unnecessary additional costs that can arise with more complex inverters, making them an attractive solution for private individuals and small businesses who want to plan their investments as efficiently as possible.
1-phase inverters are particularly inexpensive to purchase and install. They are cheaper than 3-phase devices as they use simpler technology and are designed for smaller systems. This eliminates unnecessary additional costs that can arise with more complex inverters, making them an attractive solution for private individuals and small businesses who want to plan their investments as efficiently as possible.
Simple installation:
The less complex technology of single-phase inverters makes installation much easier. The compact design, less complex connections and fewer necessary components result in faster installation on site. This saves time and reduces installation costs, which improves the overall profitability of the PV system. Integration into existing single-phase power grids is also straightforward, meaning that no extensive retrofitting is required.
The less complex technology of single-phase inverters makes installation much easier. The compact design, less complex connections and fewer necessary components result in faster installation on site. This saves time and reduces installation costs, which improves the overall profitability of the PV system. Integration into existing single-phase power grids is also straightforward, meaning that no extensive retrofitting is required.
Perfect for small systems:
Single-phase inverters are the ideal choice for single-family homes, smaller apartment buildings or small commercial operations with moderate power consumption. They are optimally designed for systems with an output of up to approx. 10 kW and guarantee a stable and reliable power supply. Their performance is precisely tailored to the needs of such systems, without wasting resources or maintaining unnecessarily high capacities.
Single-phase inverters are the ideal choice for single-family homes, smaller apartment buildings or small commercial operations with moderate power consumption. They are optimally designed for systems with an output of up to approx. 10 kW and guarantee a stable and reliable power supply. Their performance is precisely tailored to the needs of such systems, without wasting resources or maintaining unnecessarily high capacities.
Low maintenance costs:
Thanks to their robust and simple design, single-phase inverters are particularly low-maintenance. Less complex technology also means less susceptibility to faults and a longer service life for the devices. This reduces operating costs and minimizes downtime, which is particularly important for private users and small businesses that need to rely on a constant power supply.
Thanks to their robust and simple design, single-phase inverters are particularly low-maintenance. Less complex technology also means less susceptibility to faults and a longer service life for the devices. This reduces operating costs and minimizes downtime, which is particularly important for private users and small businesses that need to rely on a constant power supply.
Flexible with single-phase mains supply:
Many residential buildings only have a single-phase power supply, which makes the use of single-phase inverters particularly sensible. These devices fit perfectly into the existing infrastructure without the need for a costly conversion to a 3-phase grid connection. This flexibility makes single-phase inverters the ideal solution for most private households and small businesses.
Many residential buildings only have a single-phase power supply, which makes the use of single-phase inverters particularly sensible. These devices fit perfectly into the existing infrastructure without the need for a costly conversion to a 3-phase grid connection. This flexibility makes single-phase inverters the ideal solution for most private households and small businesses.
High energy efficiency:
Despite the smaller power capacity, 1-phase inverters offer a very efficient conversion of direct current into alternating current. They optimize self-consumption by reliably feeding the generated solar power into the household grid or transferring it to the public grid. This maximizes the use of self-generated energy, lowers electricity costs and reduces the ecological footprint.
Despite the smaller power capacity, 1-phase inverters offer a very efficient conversion of direct current into alternating current. They optimize self-consumption by reliably feeding the generated solar power into the household grid or transferring it to the public grid. This maximizes the use of self-generated energy, lowers electricity costs and reduces the ecological footprint.
Future-proof with moderate expansion:
Even though single-phase inverters are primarily designed for smaller systems, many models already offer flexible expansion options and smart functions such as integrated monitoring, app control and energy management. This allows users to monitor their system as required and expand it efficiently if necessary.
Even though single-phase inverters are primarily designed for smaller systems, many models already offer flexible expansion options and smart functions such as integrated monitoring, app control and energy management. This allows users to monitor their system as required and expand it efficiently if necessary.
Low entry barrier for solar energy:
For many private households and small businesses, single-phase inverters are the ideal way to get started with solar energy. Thanks to the combination of simple handling, low costs and high reliability, they enable a sustainable energy supply without great effort or high initial investment.
For many private households and small businesses, single-phase inverters are the ideal way to get started with solar energy. Thanks to the combination of simple handling, low costs and high reliability, they enable a sustainable energy supply without great effort or high initial investment.
Disadvantages of 1-phase inverters
Power limit:
1-phase inverters are designed for smaller systems with an output of up to around 10 kW. For larger solar systems that need to generate more electricity, they quickly reach their technical limits. If the energy requirement exceeds this range, single-phase inverters can no longer provide the power efficiently. This makes them unsuitable for medium and large PV systems, as a more even and powerful power distribution is required here.
1-phase inverters are designed for smaller systems with an output of up to around 10 kW. For larger solar systems that need to generate more electricity, they quickly reach their technical limits. If the energy requirement exceeds this range, single-phase inverters can no longer provide the power efficiently. This makes them unsuitable for medium and large PV systems, as a more even and powerful power distribution is required here.
Not ideal for large commercial systems:
In commercial and industrial applications with high power consumption, single-phase inverters are often not sufficient. Large office buildings, factories or other commercial facilities benefit from 3-phase power distribution, which ensures a more even load on the electrical infrastructure. The use of single-phase inverters in such environments can lead to overloads, power losses or inefficient operation.
In commercial and industrial applications with high power consumption, single-phase inverters are often not sufficient. Large office buildings, factories or other commercial facilities benefit from 3-phase power distribution, which ensures a more even load on the electrical infrastructure. The use of single-phase inverters in such environments can lead to overloads, power losses or inefficient operation.
Uneven power distribution:
1-phase systems only supply the grid via a single phase, which can lead to imbalances during higher load peaks and greater consumption. In contrast, 3-phase inverters distribute the current more evenly across three phases, which improves grid stability and reduces the load on the individual lines. With single-phase systems, this can lead to overloads or inefficient use of energy in some places.
1-phase systems only supply the grid via a single phase, which can lead to imbalances during higher load peaks and greater consumption. In contrast, 3-phase inverters distribute the current more evenly across three phases, which improves grid stability and reduces the load on the individual lines. With single-phase systems, this can lead to overloads or inefficient use of energy in some places.
Limited grid compatibility:
In many regions where the public electricity grid is predominantly based on 3-phase supply, the integration of 1-phase inverters can be problematic. This mainly concerns grid connection conditions that require a symmetrical feed-in in order to avoid voltage problems. In some circumstances, single-phase inverters can cause grid perturbations or need to be supplemented with additional technical measures.
In many regions where the public electricity grid is predominantly based on 3-phase supply, the integration of 1-phase inverters can be problematic. This mainly concerns grid connection conditions that require a symmetrical feed-in in order to avoid voltage problems. In some circumstances, single-phase inverters can cause grid perturbations or need to be supplemented with additional technical measures.
Less flexible with expansions:
If a solar installation is to grow in the future, single-phase inverters are less flexible than three-phase systems. A later expansion of the system to higher outputs or additional loads often requires a switch to 3-phase inverters or additional technology, which is associated with greater effort and costs. This makes single-phase inverters less future-proof for planned or possible expansion plans.
If a solar installation is to grow in the future, single-phase inverters are less flexible than three-phase systems. A later expansion of the system to higher outputs or additional loads often requires a switch to 3-phase inverters or additional technology, which is associated with greater effort and costs. This makes single-phase inverters less future-proof for planned or possible expansion plans.
Limited support for complex energy management systems:
Large and complex PV systems with battery storage, electric vehicles or smart grid controls benefit from the extended functions and scalability offered by 3-phase inverters. Single-phase models usually offer fewer interfaces and limited options for integrating modern energy management solutions.
Large and complex PV systems with battery storage, electric vehicles or smart grid controls benefit from the extended functions and scalability offered by 3-phase inverters. Single-phase models usually offer fewer interfaces and limited options for integrating modern energy management solutions.
Leading manufacturers of 1-phase inverters on SolarTraders
- Huawei: Highly efficient devices with modern monitoring and user-friendly operation.
- Fronius: Robust inverters with a long service life and proven technology.
- SolarEdge: Innovative solutions with intelligent system optimization and flexible expansion options.
- SMA: Reliable and powerful inverters with comprehensive monitoring functions.
- GoodWe: Cost-efficient, easy-to-install devices with high system stability.
Areas of application for 1-phase inverters
Single-phase inverters are ideal for smaller solar systems, especially in private households. They are ideal for:
- Private households: Single-family homes and small apartments with moderate power consumption.
- Small commercial enterprises: Offices, stores or workshops with manageable energy requirements.
- Self-consumption systems: Systems that are primarily designed for self-consumption benefit from the cost-effective conversion.
1-phase or 3-phase inverters?
Single-phase inverters are ideal for small systems with moderate power requirements, such as single-family homes or small commercial operations. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
For larger or commercial systems with high energy requirements, 3-phase inverters are more suitable. They offer more even power distribution, higher output and more flexibility for expansions. They also ensure more stable grid integration and are more future-proof in the long term.
Also discover suitable solar modules and storage solutions
Find a large selection of high-quality solar modules and battery storage systems on SolarTraders that harmonize perfectly with your inverters - for an efficient, sustainable and future-proof photovoltaic system.
