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Best Solar Panel Inverters: Microinverter vs. String Inverters
Written by Jamie Smith Jamie SmithJamie is a Content Writer and researcher at SolarReviews. A recent graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia, Jamie earned her B.S. in communica...Learn more , Edited by Catherine Lane Catherine LaneCatherine has been researching and reporting on the solar industry for five years and is the Written Content Manager at SolarReviews. She leads a dyna...Learn more
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Solar panel inverters are the unsung heroes of residential solar panel systems. Aside from the solar panels themselves, solar inverters are one of the most important components of a solar installation.
At their core, solar inverters have one main function: to convert the direct current (DC) electricity that your solar panels generate into an alternating current (AC) electricity that your home can use. There are two main types of solar inverters:
Microinverters
String inverters
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of solar inverter, and the right one for your home ultimately depends on your system design.
Key takeaways
Solar inverters convert DC electricity produced by solar panels and turn it into AC electricity that homes and appliances can use.
There are two main types of solar inverters for homes: microinverters and string inverters
Microinverters attach to the back of a solar panel and convert from AC to DC on your roof.
String inverters are wired to strings of solar panels, with one string inverter installed on the side of your home.
Microinverters are best for complex solar installations that are on multiple sides of a roof or that will experience shading, while string inverters are best for simple installations.
What do solar inverters do?
Solar inverters are a crucial component of a solar energy system. A solar inverter’s primary purpose is to convert the DC electricity generated by your solar panels into AC electricity, which can be used to power your home.
Solar inverters can also maximize your solar energy production, monitor system output, communicate with the utility grid, and detect any faults in your system.
Solar inverter types: Microinverter vs. string inverters
There are two main types of solar inverters used in home solar installations: Microinverters and string inverters.
Both inverter types have the same essential function of converting solar power into usable electricity, but how they get it done is a bit different.
What are hybrid inverters? Solar systems paired with battery storage may use a hybrid inverter that connects the panels, solar battery, electrical grid, and home together in one unit. Hybrid inverters are efficient and allow for a more streamlined design. However, lots of solar batteries on the market now have built-in inverters.
What are microinverters?
A microinverter works by attaching to the back of each individual solar panel and is responsible for converting the DC power produced by that specific panel into AC power. Some microinverters can connect to more than one solar panel.
After the electricity is converted, the microinverter sends AC electricity from each solar panel directly to the home’s electrical circuits or the electrical grid.
Microinverters are best for solar systems that will experience shading or are installed on more complex roofs. If you think you’ll want to expand your solar panel system someday, then microinverters are also a good choice, as they make it easier to add solar panels. The most popular brand of microinverters is Enphase.
Pros
Individual panel performance doesn’t impact others
Built-in panel monitoring capabilities
Easy for system expansion
Meets rapid shut-down requirements
25-year warranty
Cons
Difficult to repair
Expensive
More points of failure
Advantages of microinverters
A huge advantage of microinverters is that they optimize the performance of each panel, meaning if one panel is under-performing, the rest of the system won’t be affected. Using microinverters can also help with panel-level performance monitoring, and they usually come with 25-year warranties.
From a safety perspective, microinverters operate at a lower voltage than other inverters and are built to meet rapid shutdown fire safety requirements.
Disadvantages of microinverters
Microinverters have a few downsides. Because there is a microinverter for each panel, a lot of extra equipment is installed on your roof, which increases costs and creates more potential points of failure. Also, it can be difficult to complete microinverter repairs, because they’re on your roof and the installer will have to pinpoint the exact one that’s broken.
Another thing to note about microinverters is that they may cause you to experience “clipping”, when the solar panel produces more power than an inverter is capable of handling. While this does technically cause energy loss, solar systems are designed with these specifications in mind.
What are string inverters?
String inverters also turn DC into AC electricity, but do so differently than a microinverter. Typically, only one string inverter is installed for a residential solar installation, which is usually installed close to your main service panel or electrical meter.
The solar panels on your roof will be wired in strings connected to the string inverter, where the electricity generated by your solar panels will be converted for your home to use.
String inverters are often paired with DC power optimizers to meet electrical code standards, maximize energy production, and reduce shading impacts. Power optimizers are attached to the back of each panel, track the panel’s output, and can then regulate voltage before the generated power is sent to the string inverter.
String inverters are best for solar installations on simple, unshaded roofs. SolarEdge is one of the most popular string inverter brands.
Pros
Low cost
Simple design
Easy to troubleshoot
Cons
Inverter errors impact entire solar system
Difficult for system expansion
Additional equipment needed for rapid shut-down requirements
Short lifespan
Advantages of string inverters
String inverters are typically cheaper than other inverter types, which helps contribute to a more affordable solar installation. Another benefit to string inverters is their simple design, which makes them easier to install.
Also, since there is only one inverter instead of multiple, troubleshooting and repairing the issue is easier. Because string inverters are installed on the side of your home, no one has to get on your roof to fix it.
Disadvantages of string inverters
The biggest downside to string inverters is that issues with one panel can impact the energy production of the other panels it’s wired to, lowering your overall solar energy production and reducing your total energy bill savings. DC power optimizers help with this issue, but having them is an additional cost.
Also, if there’s an issue with your solar inverter, your entire system won’t function, whereas one microinverter malfunctioning won’t cause your whole system to go offline.
5 best solar panel inverter brands
According to the 2025 SolarReviews Solar Industry Survey, the top inverter brands used the most by installers are:
Enphase
SolarEdge
Tesla
SolarArk
SMA
This is the third year in a row that Enphase and SolarEdge appeared on our list for top inverter brands, proving to be a consistent brand trusted by installers year after year. A more surprising contender on this list is Tesla’s inverter. According to our survey, the number of respondents who installed Tesla inverters has more than doubled from the previous year.
Which type of inverter is best for solar panels?
The right inverter for you ultimately depends on your home and the type of solar installation you get.
Microinverters are the best choice for bigger, more complex systems, like having panels on more than one roof plane. Also, if your panels receive partial shade throughout the day, a microinverter will help make the most of your system’s performance. Even at a higher price point, maximizing solar power production will help you see a return on investment.
String inverters are ideal for straightforward installations, like when you have a shade-free roof with all the panels placed on one side. Having the DC optimizers helps you maximize your panel’s power production, but you can still enjoy the ease of just having one inverter at a lower price point.
Solar panel inverters: FAQs
Do you need an inverter for every solar panel?
No, if you have a string inverter, you likely only need one inverter for the whole system. Also, some microinverters allow you to hook up multiple panels to each microinverter you have.
What is a common problem for inverters?
Respondents to our 2025 Solar Industry Survey reported that the most common post-installation repairs were inverter-related. 52% of respondents said monitoring and system communication repairs are the most common, and inverter hardware failure and inverter replacement are not far behind at 30%.
Although solar system repairs and services aren’t common, the most common one you may come across is some form of inverter failure.
How long does a solar inverter last?
Microinverters typically last about 25 years before needing replacement. A string inverter lasts 10 to 15 years, so you’ll likely need a replacement during the ownership of your solar panels.
Jamie is a Content Writer and researcher at SolarReviews. A recent graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia, Jamie earned her B.S. in communications with a concentration in journalism, mass media, and public relations. Jamie has previously worked at a marketing company where she had the opportunity to highlight and promote small business owners through long-form stories and interviews. With a deep-rooted passion for creativity, Jamie stri...
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