This article will cover how you can easily model micro inverters that can connect to multiple panels on OpenSolar. 

OpenSolar has an extensive database of components which means that you will rarely need to set up your own components and the feature should work automatically, but this article will still cover what specs of the inverter will impact how the number of inverters used is calculated. 

Setting the number of Inputs

In the inverter specs (which can be viewed by going to Control > Design & Hardware > Inverters) you can see the Number of MPPTs field. This field is what defines how many inputs the inverter has i.e. how many panels can connect to it. 

This should be set correctly already if you are using an inverter from our database. 

Using the inverter in the design section

When you apply the inverter in the design section, it will automatically calculate the correct quantity of inverters to apply based on the number of panels that are used (and applied to that inverter). 

• If there is no stringing/cabling specified and there is only one kind of inverter used then it will assume that all of the panels are assigned to that inverter
• If there is more than one inverter of a different type used then it will require some stringing or cabling or to be done on at least one of the inverters, and then it will assume that the rest of the unstrung panels are on the other inverter

In this example there are 19 panels used for a micro inverter than can accept 2 panels per inverter. 

As seen above there are 10 inverters used, and there is an info message which is describing that there are some inputs that are unused (as there are 20 available inputs, but only 19 of them are connected). 

All of the calculations for generation and shading will also be accounted for the same as normal micro inverters. 

If you have any questions or issues, please don't hesitate to contact support@opensolar.com.