Inverter - inside or outside of garage?

[randomuser]

I'm wondering if there is a technical benefit of an inverter being placed outside or inside my garage wall? I've seen installations with both options. Is there noise from it or does it make much heat? If so, I guess I prefer outside but are there negatives of having it outside?

[sensij]

Outside, in direct sunlight, isn't a great idea. Shaded locations should be fine. Any of the plastic components, including those of the display, might prefer indoors. Airflow might favor outside... fan noise doesn't usually come into play until you are looking at 6 kW or bigger.

[solar pete]

Howdy randomuser, you will occasionally here some noise from the inverter (well i do from mine) basically when its working flat out you get a slight whiney type noise, it does get a bit hot at times. If you can have it outside but is still getting protection from the sun and rain (if its under the eves) I would do that. Mine is out side but under a veranda so it has very little direct sunlight or rain ever on it. So if it can be somewhat protected I would put it outside if its going to be in full sun and get rained on I would put it in the garage, hope that helps a bit, cheers.

[randomuser]

Thanks guys. It's on the north side of my house, so it doesn't get much direct sunlight. Sounds like outside is better than inside for me. I don't need any additional heat in the garage in the summer. The garage doesn't get too cold in the winter, so I'm not looking for any additional heating at that time.

[ButchDeal]

I'm wondering if there is a technical benefit of an inverter being placed outside or inside my garage wall? I've seen installations with both options. Is there noise from it or does it make much heat? If so, I guess I prefer outside but are there negatives of having it outside?

What brand of inverter, there are some that should be mounted inside out of the weather but mostly bimodal systems.
Others should be mounted outside like those with built in disconnects, though they can be done inside with additional equipment/work

[Mike90250]

How is outside security for a $3,000 box with 4 screws holding it down ? Not too likely to walk away, but.....

[randomuser]

It's a SolarEdge inverter. Good point about not all inverters have the option of inside or outside.

Aw, Mike90250, that's not reassuring. Hope thieves would rather steal the cars on the street than my inverter box. Or I'll have to build a wall, gate or even moat with alligators in front of my electrical panel and inverter.

[tru2logan]

Just had a 10kw SE installed on inside of garage wall. Has an audible fan noise coming from it but not really loud or even annoying to me. The heat is moderate but only if you touch it. Don't really feel heat radiating too much and I don't foresee it being an issue.

[gmanInPA]

Me personally... I'd almost always choose indoors over outdoors. The elements outside seem to always be harder on equipment. Not to mention little critters and insects that might enjoy making their home in such places. It would be easy enough to vent any excess heat outside. Noise and heat are generally minimal.

[peakbagger]

I like indoors as there a lower chance of insects and debris building up ins the cooling fins or fans.

[J.P.M.]

Seems to me the probability of something going wrong is reduced in a controlled environment. On the other hand, a garage, for example, may not be the cleanest or safest place for an inverter, but I'd bet it's an overall better place provided the access, heat buildup and noise are not a problem.

[azdave]

I'm in Phoenix AZ. I'll always choose the garage over outdoors for an inverter. I don't notice any extra heat gain in the garage. It's already hot here anyway. The noise is minimal and the wife has never mentioned it at all (and she hears everything).

[J.P.M.]

I'm in Phoenix AZ. I'll always choose the garage over outdoors for an inverter. I don't notice any extra heat gain in the garage. It's already hot here anyway. The noise is minimal and the wife has never mentioned it at all (and she hears everything).

As a 1st approx., unless you have a large and/or well insulated garage, the ~ 3% or so of production that winds up a waste heat off an inverter probably won't be noticed much, if at all. A 10 kW system might kick out 65 kWh max. per day. 3% of that is about 6650 BTU/day. Most garages are heat leaky enough to handle that. As sort of a reference, the average human doing light activity kicks off about the same - ~ 250-300 BTU/hr.

[MikeInRialto]

If you go with micros you don't have to ask yourself that question

[randomuser]

No micros for me. It's a SolarEdge 7600 inverter for my system.