CEC Efficiency
The California Energy Commission weighted efficiency rating for solar inverters, averaging efficiency across six power levels weighted for typical operating conditions. More realistic than peak efficiency claims.
Why It Matters
CEC efficiency is the industry standard for comparing inverters. A 97.5% CEC-rated inverter will deliver more real-world energy than a 98% peak-rated inverter with lower part-load efficiency.
Related Terms
Inverter Efficiency Curve
A graph showing inverter conversion efficiency at different power loading levels. Most inverters peak at 97-99% efficiency around 30-50% of rated capacity, dropping at very low and very high loads.
Inverter
A device that converts direct current (DC) electricity from solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity used by your home.