Putting solar panels on your house is the perfect solution if you live in a sunny area and an awesome way to cut down on your electricity bill. But there’s a lot more that goes into it than just installing the panels and soaking up the sun. For example, does your house need a solar combiner box?
In general, most household solar panel setups do not need a solar combiner box. Solar combiner boxes are required for those that have more than three solar panels in a system. Any system with three or fewer panels can benefit from a solar combiner box but does not need one.
In this article, I will review what a solar combiner box is and the benefits it can provide to your solar system. Additionally, I will cover where you install a solar combiner box, where you can purchase one, as well as what specific qualities you should look for in a solar combiner box. I’ll also make some recommendations in case you decide you want to pick one up.
What Is A Solar Combiner Box?
A solar combiner box brings all of the strings from each individual solar panel together into one system. The end of each panel string attaches to a fuse terminal. The combination of all of the fuse terminal outputs is a single cable that plugs into the inverter box.
Solar combiner boxes also help keep all of the solar panel wires in one place and provide cover for them…protecting them from the elements. Any system that has more than two solar panels needs a solar combiner box to keep the wires neat and tidy so that no power is lost between the panel and the inverter.
Solar combiner boxes are simple structures no bigger than a regular outlet box, so it doesn’t take up much space. The benefits of a solar combiner box outweigh the absence of one even for small systems that don’t require them.
What Are The Benefits Of A Solar Combiner Box?
Although small and simple, there are many benefits to adding a solar combiner box to your solar system. They keep the wires neat and tidy so there is minimal loss of energy from the panels to the inverter. The solar combiner box allows for easy disconnection when you need to make repairs and installation when the required maintenance has been accomplished.
By using the solar combiner box, you will have fewer cables plugged into the inverter, making it easier to maintain and cost less in materials. Perhaps the most important benefit of a solar combiner box is the safety and peace of mind it provides.
The solar combiner box can protect too much current and voltage from flowing into the inverter. It will automatically shut down the power connection to the inverter so that it is not overwhelmed. This could save you a lot of headache and money so that you don’t have to buy a new inverter!
Installing a solar combiner box is also very easy, and solar combiner boxes are very durable so you don’t have to worry about replacing them.
Where Do You Put A Solar Combiner Box?
The solar combiner box needs to be installed between the solar panels and the inverter. Its job is to connect the energy from the solar panels to the energy converter of the inverter without disrupting the flow of power.
Find a place that is near the inverter and in the path of the solar panel wires. This will allow you to install the solar combiner box in a place that maintains the natural path of the energy flow. Solar combiner boxes can improve the efficiency of your solar system if you put the box in the right place.
If you install a solar combiner box in a place that is too far from the inverter or requires you to snake the solar panel cables in an awkward way, you could lose energy efficiency. Make sure to put the box in a place where the cables won’t crimp and there’s also not a lot of excess cables for the power to travel through.
Where Can I Purchase A Solar Combiner Box?
Solar combiner boxes are readily available for purchase at most home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes as well as other big box stores that have a home improvement department like Walmart. You can also buy solar combiner boxes from various online sources including Amazon, eBay, and electronics websites.
When you are looking for a solar combiner box, make sure that the description of the product includes the word solar. Otherwise, you may be purchasing a combiner box that is not equipped for use with a solar system.
Since solar panel systems are becoming more and more popular, though, a lot more stores are carrying the equipment needed to maintain and build efficient solar systems. If you ask any associate at a home improvement store, they should be able to tell you right away if they carry solar combiner boxes.
What Should I Look For In A Solar Combiner Box?
While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest priced solar combiner box, you should pay attention to the quality of the product, not just the price tag. It’s important to purchase a solar combiner box that will provide the best quality. Cheap solar combiner boxes can be fire hazards.
The solar combiner box is the first station the power from your solar panel hits so you need to make you don’t lose your efficiency. Always purchase a solar combiner box that has a UL471 certification. Check the voltage requirements of the solar combiner box to make sure it fits your system’s output.
This may seem obvious, but also check to make sure it has enough cable inputs for the number of solar panels your solar system has. Some solar combiner boxes come with warranties. While not necessary, it may not be a bad idea to have that safety net in place in case you get a defective model and need to replace it.
What Are Some Of The Best Solar Combiner Boxes On The Market?
There are many companies that make solar combiner boxes, but, just like any other market, there are some that are better than others. Our top picks for solar combiner boxes include those made by Midnite and ECOWORTHY.
Midnite offers solar combiner boxes that have simple setups and diagrams that show you exactly how to install them. They have solar combiner boxes that can accommodate up to twelve different solar panel strings and two different inverters. If you have a large set up at your house or office, Midnite’s solar combiner boxes are just what you need.
ECOWORTHY’s solar combiner boxes generally don’t accommodate quite as many solar panel inputs as Midnite, but they are known for their durability. ECOWORTHY solar combiner boxes can house up to six separate solar panel wires and their shells are very rugged and can withstand lots of weathering and abuse.
Overall, Midnite and ECOWORTHY get our top picks for solar combiner boxes, but there are lots of other brands that also provide quality products. Some other noteworthy makers of solar combiner boxes include briidea, VEVOR, and Renogy.
How Much Does A Solar Combiner Box Cost?
Solar combiner boxes are usually around $100 to $300. Some of the best quality solar combiner boxes are usually in the middle range of these prices, around $175. Although it may seem to be an expensive investment, it is necessary for large solar systems and can still be beneficial to small solar systems.
You will quickly recuperate the cost of a solar combiner box by the increase in energy efficiency you will see it provides. The power you will draw from your solar panels will be greater than if you simply plugged the panels into the inverter. In no time, the savings in your electric bill will more than makeup for the cost of a solar combiner box.
Final Thoughts
Solar combiner boxes are necessary for solar systems that have more than three solar panels but can also be beneficial to smaller systems. The solar combiner box provides a mediator between the solar panels and the inverter to combine the individual solar panel output wires into a single input cable for the inverter.
Solar combiner boxes can increase the efficiency of your solar system as well as protect the inverter from receiving too much voltage or current. They have a simple setup and should be placed between the solar panels and the inverter for optimum energy flow.
Good quality solar combiner boxes usually cost around $200. You should not go too cheap on your solar combiner box. If you sacrifice cost for quality, you may have a fire hazard. Midnite and ECOWORTHY provide some of the best solar combiner boxes on the market with easy installation and rugged construction to handle any multi-panel solar system your home may have.
