Can a micro inverter be used as an AC source?

It’s not simple but it absolutely does work and has been gaining favour as a solution for many years. So, logically micro inverters that present solar as an AC source can indeed be coupled into these types of systems. In the last 2 block diagrams above you simply swap out the solar panel and grid tie inverter for all your AC solar panels.

Can I add batteries with a micro inverter?

Yes you can easily add batteries with micro inverters such as Enphase! You simply use a technique called "AC Coupling" where the batteries are connected directly into the 240V AC in the switchboard using an AC Battery inverter. Here's how it works:

Should I buy a micro inverter based system?

So if you buy a microinverter based system you won’t be left high and dry if you want to add batteries in the future, you’ll simply need an AC coupled system. In fact the way technology is progressing it would not surprise me if batteries will soon come with “micro inverter/chargers”.

Can micro inverters be used in off grid solar power systems?

With the growth in the use of micro inverters, I’m starting to get more and more emails asking: can micro inverters be used in off grid (or hybrid) solar power systems? The short answer is yes they can! In fact a number of micro inverter battery backup systems are already operating here and abroad.

What is a smarter micro inverter?

Recently however, Enphase announced a new generation of smarter micro inverters, which will effectively allow them to make many of the traditional components of an AC coupled system redundant by embedding more of the control and power conversion functions of the inverter/charger into the micro inverter itself.

How does a micro inverter work?

Here's how it works: As you can see, the output of the micro inverters is 240V AC and the Battery Inverter converts the battery's DC to 240V AC, so everything works together nicely. Which batteries are AC coupled and will work with micro inverters?