Key takeaways:
Peter Fath from RCT Power highlighted that inverter performance depends on multiple energy pathways rather than a single efficiency value
Inverters are increasingly integrating functions such as BMS and EMS to simplify system design and improve overall performance
Certification differences and cybersecurity concerns are emerging as key challenges as inverters become more connected and grid-relevant
One of the central components in PV installation is the inverter. Storage is also getting greater importance in making solar energy usable and reliable at the system level.
At the TaiyangNews Inverters & Battery Storage Conference, Peter Fath from RCT Power presented the company’s product portfolio and the growing opportunities and pain points to be considered for inverter manufacturers.
With the growing integration of battery storage, EV charging, and grid interaction, inverters now have to handle multiple functions simultaneously, ranging from self-consumption optimization and peak shaving in commercial systems to bidirectional energy flow and tariff-based operation in residential setups. At the grid scale, their role expands further to include frequency control and grid stabilization.
He emphasized that evaluating an inverter cannot be reduced to a single efficiency number. Instead, performance depends on multiple operating pathways, such as PV-to-grid, PV-to-battery, battery-to-grid, and AC-to-battery conversions. Each of these has its own efficiency, and the overall system performance depends on how well they are optimized together. Fath also pointed out that real-world operation rarely happens at peak load, so maintaining high efficiency even at low power levels becomes equally important for reducing losses over time.
He also highlighted a broader shift toward system integration. Traditionally, components like the inverter, battery management system (BMS), and energy management system (EMS) are treated as separate units. However, as systems become more complex, there is a move toward integrating these functions into a single platform. The idea is that tighter integration can reduce hardware redundancy, improve efficiency, and simplify system design.
Another important theme was the increasing complexity of inverter design driven by diverse application needs. Residential systems typically operate in the range of a few kilowatts and prioritize self-consumption and backup power. Commercial and industrial (C&I) systems require flexibility for load management and cost optimization. Meanwhile, grid-scale systems involve much larger power levels and different architectures, such as AC-coupled or DC-coupled configurations, each with its own trade-offs.
He also touched on technology trends, noting that improvements in power electronics, such as the adoption of silicon carbide devices, are helping push inverter efficiencies higher. At the same time, inverter capacities are increasing, with both larger centralized units and more capable string inverters becoming common.
Beyond technical performance, he discussed challenges that are becoming relevant as the industry matures. One of them is certification. Different countries, and even regions, within Europe have their own grid and product certification requirements, which are often not harmonized. This creates delays and additional costs, especially as product development cycles become shorter. Another issue he raised, which is gaining attention globally, is cybersecurity. As inverters become connected devices that can influence grid behavior, questions around who controls these systems and where that control resides are becoming more important. According to Fath, this is likely to lead to stricter local requirements on data handling, system control, and even manufacturing origin in the future.
Finally, he reflected on the broader direction of the industry. While cost reduction has been a major driver in solar so far, he cautioned against focusing only on price, especially in the storage and inverter space. Instead, Fath stressed the importance of reliability, monitoring, and long-term performance. Access his talk on YouTube, titled Inverters for Reliable & Flexible Solar + Storage Solutions.