Inverter Clipping Calculator
Visualise how inverter sizing affects your solar output
Inverter clipping
When panel capacity exceeds inverter capacity, peak output is “clipped”. A ratio of 1.2-1.3x is common and intentional — the small midday loss is offset by better morning/evening capture.
Ratio: 139%
Captured
38.2 kWh
Clipped
6.3 kWh
14% lost
Panel:Inverter
139%
high
How this works
An inverter converts DC electricity from your panels into AC electricity for your home. Every inverter has a maximum output rating — if your panels produce more DC power than the inverter can handle, the excess is "clipped" and lost.
Clipping sounds bad, but a small amount is intentional and desirable. A panel-to-inverter ratio of 120-130% is standard because it costs less to oversize panels than to upsize the inverter, and the small midday losses are offset by better capture at the start and end of each day.
The calculator shows a typical summer day curve. The green area is what your inverter delivers, the red area (if any) is clipped — peak generation exceeds the inverter limit.
Things to consider
- •G98 connection rules limit inverter output to 3.68 kW on single-phase supplies. Panel capacity can legally exceed this because it is the inverter output that matters, not DC.
- •Cloudy days almost never clip even on heavily oversized systems — the loss only happens on the clearest midday conditions.
- •A 1.3x ratio typically clips 2-3% of annual generation. A 1.5x ratio might clip 6-8%. Beyond 1.5x the losses accelerate.
- •Optimisers and microinverters convert power at the panel level, so their "inverter" rating already accounts for the individual cells.
Dig deeper
Why Your Inverter Limit Matters More Than Your Panel Capacity
Your panels might be rated at 5kW but your inverter only outputs 3.6kW. Here's why that's normal, when it's a problem, and what 'clipping' actually costs you.
Oversizing Your Solar System: Smart Strategy or Waste?
Should you install more solar panels than you currently need? The case for oversizing your UK solar system, G98/G99 limits, and when bigger is genuinely better.
String Inverter vs Microinverter: Which Is Better?
String inverters vs microinverters for UK solar systems. Compare cost, performance, monitoring, and reliability to decide which is right for your roof.
Optimisers vs Microinverters: Which Do You Need?
Power optimisers vs microinverters for solar panels: how they work, when you need them, cost differences, and which is best for UK installations.
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