Can You Connect a Single-Phase Inverter to 3-Phase Power?

Posted by The PowerStore Inc on February 11th, 2022

Properties are wired for either single-phase or 3-phase power. If you\'re looking into installing a solar power system, you\'ll quickly realize that the solar inverters on the market mirror this, with most manufacturers producing both 3-phase and single-phase inverters. While connecting a 3-phase inverter to 3-phase power is ideal, these inverters tend to cost several hundred dollars more. So, you might be asking yourself if it\'s possible to connect a cheaper, single-phase inverter to your 3-phase power supply. And, if it is possible, will it impact your solar production and energy consumption at all? Keep reading to find out more.

Is It Even Possible?

The short answer here is yes, it is possible to connect a single-phase inverter to a 3-phase power supply. Essentially, the inverter will be connected to one of the phases of your power supply, which is sufficient to tie it into the city grid so that your inverter can pull power from the grid when needed and push energy into the grid when your solar panels produce any excess. The additional phases are not necessary for your inverter to perform this function.

Will It Affect Your Energy Production and Consumption?

Connecting a single-phase inverter to a 3-phase power supply won\'t impact your solar power system\'s performance. For starters, the phase of power supplied by the grid to your home won\'t affect the way your solar panels produce energy or how your home consumes the energy produced.

Most solar users have a concern related to those two other phases that are not being tied into the inverter. Many people think that your home will continue to pull power through these two different phases rather than appropriately prioritizing your solar energy consumption. However, that\'s not true. Your system is intelligent enough to monitor the energy you produce and consume correctly, so you will not see any reduction in your self-consumption or the financial benefits of installing solar. The meter will continue to calculate your energy consumption simultaneously by subtracting the amount of electricity you produce from the amount of energy you consume and billing you appropriately.

Why Choose a 3-Phase Inverter?

Three-phase solar inverters manage voltage increases more effectively and help reduce the odds of appliance failures due to high voltages. It also supplies power to the grid more evenly and helps support grid stability. With there being no downside to installing a single-phase inverter on your 3-phase supply, why would you opt for a more expensive 3-phase inverter at all?

However, if budget is a significant issue for you, your system can still function just as efficiently using a SolarEdge single-phase inverter.