48v inverters

[Bigbad]

As I understand it, a 48v inverter does not begin to convert electricity until input >= 48v - is that correct? In order to get the inverter to start working earlier in the day, the 4x12v panels (hooked in series) will also need to be doubled or tripled or quadrupled (hooked in parallel)? Is this correct?

[Mike90250]

There are 2 types of inverters

Grid Tie inverters, which convert DC voltage into AC voltage, generating as much AC power as it can. They feed the Grid and rely on it to start up, and absorb the power. They will not run a off-grid house

Battery inverters, which run off a battery . They produce a stable voltage, and the current ( amps ) will vary as the house loads demand

3rd type - Hybrid inverters, which run off a battery but can also backfeed the grid. They don't care where their DC voltage comes from, battery, stable PV, or a wind/water turbine, but the
DC voltage must not sag. The battery is generally sized to keep the DC voltage stable.

[sidpost]

As I understand it, a 48v inverter does not begin to convert electricity until input >= 48v - is that correct? In order to get the inverter to start working earlier in the day, the 4x12v panels (hooked in series) will also need to be doubled or tripled or quadrupled (hooked in parallel)? Is this correct?

Don't confuse Amps and Volts. More panels in parallel gives you more watts to work with which will increase your amperage so you can actually do something useful.

Since you have 12V panels, they are probably so low wattage that the current available at 120VAC won't do much for you except power a radio or charge a cellphone. You may want to add a battery stack to concentrate your power so you can do more useful things with modest panels and also do them when the Sun isn't shining (i.e. at night).