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

In New England, solar panels will yield the highest production during the summer months, followed by fall and spring. As the angle of the sun changes throughout the year relative to your roof and panels, it affects the amount of energy your solar panels can produce.

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

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.

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.