A solar inverter, also known as a PV (photovoltaic) inverter, is a type of electrical converter that transforms the variable direct current (DC) output of a solar panel into a utility frequency alternating current (AC) that can be fed into a commercial electrical grid or used by a local, off-grid electrical network. It is a critical component in a solar energy system, as most electrical appliances and infrastructure operate on AC power.

There are different types of solar inverters including string inverters, micro-inverters, central inverters and hybrid inverters, each designed to optimize the efficiency and performance of the solar power system under various conditions.