Do We Really Need 3 Phase Solar Inverters

At Sunflow Solar one of the FAQs from our Sydney customers  is why do we really need 3 phase solar inverters? Customers who have 3 phase power on their residential properties need a 3 phase solar inverter to suit their solar system. Ultimately every customer’s situation is unique. 3 phase inverters have some benefits, these systems have a higher price point compared to single solar phase inverters. We make sure to assess every solar system to make sure it’s totally worth it!

What’s the difference between single and three-phase power?

Most Australian homeowners don’t know the difference between a single-phase and three-phase power supply, and what their homes are connected to. Single-phase means you have one live wire connected to the grid, whilst three-phase supply means you have three live wires. This power supply is handy to power bigger loads such as air conditioners, pool heaters or electric car chargers.

How to check if you have a three-phase supply?

Carefully check out your main switchboard or meter isolator, if you have a single-phase supply you’ll have one “pole”. If you have a three-phase supply, you’ll have 3 “poles”.

So what are three-phase solar inverters?

Generally, three-phase solar inverters look quite similar to a single-phase inverter, they can cost a pretty penny or two. Three-phase solar inverters take in DC electricity from solar panels, converts it and sends AC power through the home evenly across three phases. Larger solar inverter systems work better with three-phase solar inverters as it prevents too much load from being sent out on one single- phase. Which has the potential to cause imbalances between the loading of all phases.

What are the benefits of 3 phase solar inverters?

Firstly, they convert solar power to AC power and feeds it evenly across the property over-all 3 phases.

For example, A 5kW single phase solar inverter functioning at capacity would be providing 5kW of solar power into one phase. Similarly, a three-phase 5kW solar inverter would feed 1.7kW of solar power evenly across all 3 phases. This can significantly reduce the occurrence of over-voltage issues. Secondly, when your inverter is spread across three wires, it’s easier to push the solar power back out to the grid.

Like previously mentioned, a single-phase inverter is adequate for solar systems that are smaller than 5kW and a three-phase inverter may not add any extra value.

What are your options if you have a 3 phase power supply?

If your property has 3 phase power supply you can have either:

• A single-phase solar inverter.
• Microinverters.
• A three-phase solar inverter.

Why do we recommend a three-phase solar inverters?

To get straight to the point, a three-phase inverter drastically reduces the chance of having voltage rise issues. By spreading the inverter capacity across the three wires coming into your home means you’ll use less energy to push solar energy out to the grid. This will increase the local grid voltage less than a single-phase install, protecting you from high throttling or tripping off due to over-voltage issues. That means increased solar power production with our saturated high-voltage Australian grid.

Before rushing your decision and ending up with an inverted nightmare do your due diligence. Shop around and get multiple quotes to find the best deal for your home. Make sure the retailer is approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) to supply only the highest quality of products on the market.

The best way to find out if you need a three-phase inverter or not is to speak with our solar power experts.

At Sunflow Solar, we offer a free on-site consultation for your property to assess the eligibility of solar panel installation. Whether your home requires a single or three-phase solar inverter.