How long does an inverter last?

The inverter lifespan is determined by the components with the shortest lifespan, usually IGBTs, capacitors, inductors, etc., which generally have a lifespan of no more than 10 years. For example, electrolytic capacitors, which are one of the most failure-prone devices of the inverter.

What factors affect the inverter lifespan?

It is generally believed that the main culprits that affect electronic components are high temperature, dust, oxidation, moisture, etc. Therefore, the inverter lifespan is also affected by these factors, which requires operators to perform necessary maintenance to extend their inverter lifespan.

Are old solar inverters a real workhorse?

Researchers in Switzerland have been keeping an eye on a bunch of old solar inverters and power optimizers to see how they are faring; with some interesting results. Solar panels tend to steal the limelight, but the real workhorse of a PV system is the solar inverter.

What are the components of an inverter?

Components include structural parts, circuit boards, power switching tubes, capacitors, LCDs and fans, and other parts. The inverter lifespan is determined by the components with the shortest lifespan, usually IGBTs, capacitors, inductors, etc., which generally have a lifespan of no more than 10 years.

How many inverters & optimizers are there in a solar system?

Their research incorporates 1,195 PV systems consisting of 2,121 inverters and 8,542 optimizers installed in Switzerland. An optimizer is a type of Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE), aka Panel Level Optimisation (PLO), device added to one or multiple solar panels in a system to maximise panel output.

How often should a photovoltaic inverter be replaced?

During the entire life cycle of a photovoltaic power station, the inverter must be replaced at least once. This article will give you a detailed introduction to inverter lifespan.