Inverter Clipping

 
What is inverter clipping and how does it impact your solar array?
 

Peak operation occurs during a few weeks each year when the weather is cool and there is minimal shade from leafy trees. At this time of year your system may exhibit 'clipping.' 

solar inverter clipping graph.png

Solar inverter clipping occurs when solar panels generate more power than an inverter can handle. Systems are intentionally designed for clipping because it maximizes production during the majority of the year. It ensures that production happens during lower-light situations or with less-than-perfect panel orientation.

The graph above shows the effect of clipping. When the B area of lost production due to clipping starts to exceed the area of added production A & C by over-driving the inverter, then we would recommend the next size up in inverter capacity.