The number of solar installations in Australia increases significantly every year as electricity prices continue to rise. As more people are choosing solar power as their energy source, they want to be more informed about the basics of solar energy and how to maintain the equipment for their solar installation in Australia. One such popular web search is – how to increase the life expectancy of solar inverters. So, generally, the lifespan of a solar inverter is about 15 years. But how long your inverter should last really depends on the construction quality, usage, location of installation, and maintenance. Let us go through the chief factors that determine the life of a solar inverter.
Ambient temperature of the inverter
The internal temperature of the inverter is a key factor that determines its lifespan and performance. Solar inverters do not like excessive heat. If installed in a poorly ventilated environment and under direct sunlight, the inverter will overheat and high internal temperatures deduct from the component’s performance and its lifespan. The capacitor along with some other components inside the solar inverter is sensitive to shifts in temperature and can fail prematurely due to the same.
To enhance solar inverter efficiency and longevity, they should be installed in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, and other heavy electronics that throw out high amounts of heat such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, heaters, etc
Inverter surroundings
Installing the solar inverter in a clean environment is a key step toward extending its life expectancy. Areas with pollution and dust must be avoided when planning a solar installation in Australia, especially for the inverter. Inverter installation must not be done under direct sunlight as it would fry the device. Therefore, the solar inverter should be installed in a clean, covered area with shade.
Input voltage and current
The discrepancies between the input voltage and current variable can impact the inverter’s durability. When the input voltage is too high or too low than the recommended range the inverter can handle and continue normal operation, the life expectancy of the inverter is greatly reduced. High voltage and current diminish the lifespan of the inverter. When functioning in the normal range of recommended voltage and matching current, the inverter will be safe from failure and last long.
Routine maintenance
Since solar inverters are usually installed in outdoor areas (like a garage) due to ventilation reasons to avoid overheating, regular cleaning is mandatory to keep them clear of dust and debris. Routine cleaning also helps in determining the healthy functioning of the device and prevents the internal components to be clogged with dust. Dust trapped in the inverter’s interiors can damage its parts and lead to inverter malfunction. You could hire reputable solar installers in Australia to provide regular maintenance of your solar system components to ensure their longevity.
Early detection of faults
Sometimes the inverter display shows a fault code. The fault codes are indicative of an error in the device and should be reported to your solar installers in Australia at the earliest to resolve the issue, failing which the inverter can break down permanently.
Conclusion
Monitoring your inverter physically and examining its performance at regular intervals is of critical importance to maintain the efficiency and durability of the device and of the entire system.
Solar inverters are usually sturdy devices to weather the environmental effects of cold, heat, wind, etc., and last for years. However, taking care of all the factors discussed above can go a long way in maximizing the life expectancy of the solar inverter.
Get in touch with SunMate Solar for a free solar quote today. We deal in the best quality solar inverters and panels in the value and premium segments. We hire only CEC-accredited solar installers for all solar installations in Australia.
