Photovoltaic Inverters or PV Inverters are a type of inverter that includes features to maximize the solar energy that is collected from photovoltaic panels. A basic inverter’s function is to convert the direct current (DC) power coming from a photovoltaic panel into alternating current (AC) that is compatible with residential or commercial use and the utility grid power. Specifically, the PV inverter has features that maximize the energy available from a photovoltaic energy system. The power of a PV panel is dependent on the voltage and current of the PV panel which can vary. The PV inverter utilizes a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to find the maximum power through adjusting the voltage and current supplied from the PV panel.
Photovoltaic panel power production is directly related to the intensity of the sun light which is affected by the daily sun cycle, clouds, shading from nearby objects (ie. Utility poles, trees, tall buildings). Power-One PV inverters are designed to operate over a wide voltage range to capture power during lower light intensity. Providing electricity earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon increases the energy supply, thus shortening the payback period for a solar installation.
The power grid does not like disturbances, and therefore we want to smooth the output power of the PV inverters. A common solution is to limit the rate of change in the power, and this is so called "ramp".