Is it better for the inverter to have a screen or no screen?

Before the advent of smartphones, photovoltaic inverters mainly relied on LCD screens to display information. At that time, the larger the LCD screen, the more popular it was with users, because the screen contained graphics and numbers that could display photovoltaic input voltage, current, daily power generation and many other contents, making it convenient for the industry to check at any time.

However, LCD screens also have defects, that is, their lifespan is relatively short, and they will not display after a long time. LCD screens are currently one of the components with the shortest lifespan of inverters. The buttons are also prone to malfunction. Once the screen is broken, it will also affect the normal operation of other components of the inverter. Since the emergence of smart phones, with convenient communication, users' requirements for LCD screens are not as high as before. Inverter manufacturers generally develop an APP to view the operating information of the inverter from the mobile phone, which is more convenient and has richer content.

But for household inverters, it is more convenient to have an LCD screen. First, in some backward places, some elderly people are not used to using smart phones. Second, LCD screens are convenient for more people to watch. Mobile phones are private products and sometimes it is not convenient to show them to others. However, the screen does not need to be very large, and the resolution does not need to be too high. It only needs to display digital information. For example, using industrial-grade STN LCD display modules and using voice-activated switches instead of physical buttons can extend the service life of the screen.

High-power string inverters are usually installed on the roof or ground of large factories. The operating parameters are usually viewed through computers or mobile phones, and there is no need to check on-site every day. Therefore, many manufacturers now omit the LCD screen and use LED lights to indicate the operating status of the inverter. The cost of LED lights is only about a quarter of that of LED lights, and their lifespan is longer. Therefore, after adopting the LED solution, the cost of the inverter can be lower.

If there are only 3-4 LED lights, they can only express the status of the inverter and have limited functions. When the operation and maintenance personnel conduct on-site inspections, if the inverter fails, they basically cannot determine what the problem is. If 8-10 LED lights are used to make a dial, it can not only approximately display the output power, but also display the fault type in different combinations, which can make up for some of the shortcomings of not having an LCD screen.