Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
I have seen differences of 2 to 10 percent in systems with high DC to AC ratios compared to systems with lower DC to AC ratios. In fact the difference of a generic 1kW system with a DC ratio of 1.2 will produce 1517 kWh annually versus a similar system at DC ratio of 1.5 will produce 1483 kWhs annually, That is 34 kWhs per year and might not justify the additional cost of a larger inverter.
I am clearly not advocating for a system that has a difference of 25 percent. As I mentioned earlier, the important numbers are comparing production. Clipping losses can be compensated by more production so clipping loss is only part of the equation to measure an optimum system. Weather and temperature can affect performance. A system that might be clipping in March when the panels are lower temperature might not clip in the heat of summer. As far as I know inverter output does not degrade over time so inverter life is not any different in a high ratio than it would be in a low ratio.
I am clearly not advocating for a system that has a difference of 25 percent. As I mentioned earlier, the important numbers are comparing production. Clipping losses can be compensated by more production so clipping loss is only part of the equation to measure an optimum system. Weather and temperature can affect performance. A system that might be clipping in March when the panels are lower temperature might not clip in the heat of summer. As far as I know inverter output does not degrade over time so inverter life is not any different in a high ratio than it would be in a low ratio.
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