Using a dual-function inverter allows you to sell excess power to the utility, and also maintain a battery bank for standby power in the event of a utility power failure. The Xantrex XW series, and the OutBack GFX series inverters are primarily standalone inverters that can function as an intertie inverter at the same time, but with a lower efficiency than an inverter designed for grid-tie only. The new Xantrex XW is a grid-tie inverter designed to provide battery backup when the utility fails. The SMA Sunny Island inverter is designed to work with a Sunny Boy inverter to provide utility intertie (grid-tie) with battery backup. In a typical installation, the inverter is connected to a battery bank, a sub panel for critical loads that will be powered during a power outage, and the house load center. If the utility is available, the inverter will supply the house loads from the utility. If the utility fails, the inverter will supply power to the loads from the battery. When the utility is available again, the inverter will switch the loads back to the utility, and recharge the batteries. If the batteries become fully charged by another power source, such as photovoltaic modules or a wind or hydroelectric generator, excess power may be sold back to the utility in locations where net metering is allowed.
