- Track your orders
- Save your details for express checkout
Our Blog
AC-Coupled vs DC-Coupled Solar
Once your panels have generated this power, there are two main ways to distribute it to your home, via your solar system.
A DC-COUPLED system takes the DC energy (Direct Current) from your solar panel through a solar regulator and feeds DC power into a battery bank. The power that is stored in the batteries can then be converted from DC to AC (alternating current), using an inverter to power the appliances in your home.
DC-Coupled Systems
Historically DC-coupled solar was the original way of utilising solar panels in an off-grid system. These systems are well understood and there are many different regulators on the market to choose from. DC-coupled systems are a much cheaper option than AC-coupled systems, and are often utilised when the systems are of a smaller scale. Baches, caravans and communication systems are all good examples of where we would utilise a DC-coupled system to store solar power.
AC-Coupled Systems
An AC-Coupled system uses a grid inverter to convert the DC power from your solar panels direct into AC to power your home. The battery inverter is in communication with the grid inverter and manages the power that is generated, covering the house loads and charging the batteries.
AC-coupled really comes into its own when systems start to get larger. Because the grid inverter converts your DC solar energy into AC energy which then feeds straight into your home, there are less losses of energy involved. While at a small scale this does not matter as much, when you start to scale things up, the efficiency of AC-coupled becomes more relevant.
Where should the power go first???
Power priority in an off-grid system is always the same; power generated from solar should cover household loads first, then charge the batteries second. This is the same for both AC-coupled and DC-coupled systems.
Example of DC vs AC-Coupled.
Losses in a system due to power conversion and heat can be reduced or increased, depending on the quality of the gear that you use. This is true of everything in your system, from your solar panels to your inverter.
What is right for my off-grid system???
Whether you are choosing DC-Coupled or AC-Coupled, good system design is key. Everything comes down to what you are trying to achieve.There are even some off-grid systems where we would recommend the use of both AC-Coupled and DC-Coupled.
A good 'rule of thumb' is DC-Coupled is great for a small system because there is a huge jump in cost between solar regulators and grid inverters.
As mentioned above, at certain points AC-Coupled becomes the better option. The wiring becomes easier, the system is more efficient, and the grid inverters are capable of handling larger solar arrays (more solar panels!)
From the Able Solar Team
Mike, Dean and Ryan.
Disclaimer: The concepts discussed in this blog reflect the opinions of “Able Solar Ltd” and are based upon years of industry experience and are for educational purposes only. For any electrical advice please contact your registered electrician.