Microinverters: how do they work as a series resource?

[LouiseSJPP]

I understand that microinverters allow each panel to be optimised on output, independent of shading of other panels in the array.

What I don't see is what happens afterwards. If each panel puts out a bit of 220V AC, do these outputs all need to be bundled back to an AC/DC battery charger and from that low DC voltage point, out again to another inverter to get a single AC supply, suitably fused and protected, able to draw from battery and panels direct?

 

[CRenner]

Let's say you have 20 panels, divided into 2 arrays. Each panel is producing 1 amp. These are all added until you have 10 amps on each.
These are then combined to 20 amps going into your load panel. It can them be used or sent to the grid as AC.
If you have batteries, the inverter converts it back to DC and stores it.

 

[LouiseSJPP]

Let's say you have 20 panels, divided into 2 arrays. Each panel is producing 1 amp. These are all added until you have 10 amps on each.
These are then combined to 20 amps going into your load panel. It can them be used or sent to the grid as AC.
If you have batteries, the inverter converts it back to DC and stores it.

So you do need to have a big inverter after the battery bank as well as the micros before it?

 

[CRenner]

If you are grid tied, you only need the micro-inverters.
If you want batteries, you need a second inverter to do that.
Each conversion has losses. If you are grid tied there is one conversion DC/AC.
If batteries there are three.
If you don't use micro-inverters, the DC can go straight to the batteries with no conversion.

 

[Mattb4]

To put it simply individual panel microinverters take a panel's DC voltage and convert it to grid AC voltage. It has to than parallel with grid in order to export any power. To have a battery backup system you need additional equip such as a inverter/charger or a hybrid AIO setup. You can not run a traditional microinverter without grid (or a micro grid) being available.