What is a bidirectional inverter?

Modern bidirectional inverters are built on modern MOSFET switch technology, which does two things for you: Compared to a basic inverter, bidirectional inverters also provide clean sine-wave outputs converting DC to AC. This means your electricity is clean (no harmonics) and won’t cause trouble for your electronics.

Should I add a bidirectional inverter to my solar power system?

Adding a bidirectional inverter to your solar power system makes it more efficient, provides a higher safety standard, and gives more flexibility for charging options (which comes in handy when sunlight is scarce). But before we tackle those, let’s go through a typical solar plus storage setup to highlight the impact of bidirectional inverters.

Should you buy a bidirectional inverter?

For us, a bidirectional inverter is for green energy consumers who put a ton of value on high-quality electricity 24/7. When shopping around for inverters, your main considerations should revolve around costs, power requirements, protection, and reliability. There are intangibles, too, like post-purchase service, warranties, and product reviews.

Why should you use a bidirectional inverter during a power outage?

During an outage, a bidirectional inverter will immediately switch your power source from the AC outlet to your battery. This is the reason why bidirectional inverters are considered nowadays when it comes to Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) feature. However, you should take this information with a grain of salt.

Can a bidirectional inverter charge a battery from an AC outlet?

With a bidirectional inverter, you get extra options regarding where your power comes from. In the other figure, you can see that bidirectional inverters allow you to charge your battery from your AC outlet. More about this later.

Are bidirectional inverters good for uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?

This is the reason why bidirectional inverters are considered nowadays when it comes to Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) feature. However, you should take this information with a grain of salt. Bidirectional inverters currently cannot replace the professional-grade UPS out there used for large businesses and organizations.