String Inverter vs Central Inverter for a 1 MW Solar Plant: Which Should You Choose?

For a 1 MW ground-mounted solar plant, a high-capacity string inverter is usually a better choice than a central inverter. Three Hopewind 385kW string inverters can cover a 1 MW plant with 24 MPPTs, no DC combiner boxes and no single point of failure, delivering higher energy harvest, better uptime and easier maintenance.

From PM-KUSUM Component A plants on farmland to open-access projects and captive plants for industries, 1 MW has become one of the most common project sizes in the country. At this scale, one decision quietly shapes the plant’s performance for the next 25 years: the choice of inverter.

So should you choose a central inverter or a string inverter? And how much does a 1 MW plant actually cost? Let’s break it down.

Both inverters do the same job. They convert the DC power from solar panels into AC power for the grid. The difference lies in how the plant is designed around them.

A central inverter is one large unit that handles the power of the entire plant. Module strings are first joined together inside DC combiner boxes in the field, and heavy DC cables then carry the combined power to the inverter, which usually sits in a container or inverter room along with the transformer and switchgear.

Central inverters are a mature technology and can offer a lower equipment cost per watt on very large solar parks. However, they track a large array through only a few MPPTs, need a crane for installation, and depend on skilled technicians for repairs.

In a string inverter design, module strings connect directly to the inverter’s own inputs, with no DC combiner boxes in between. The AC output of each inverter is then collected and sent to the transformer.

Earlier, string inverters were small, so large plants needed dozens of them. Today, utility string inverters like the Hopewind 385kW handle hundreds of kilowatts each, combining the simple layout of a central design with the flexibility of a string design.

If you are planning to install a 1 MW ground-mounted solar plant, a high-capacity string inverter is the better choice.

Modern central inverters are built for large power blocks of 2.5 MW and above. Their cost advantage shows up mainly on solar parks of 10 MW or more with flat land and uniform conditions. A 1 MW plant rarely fits that profile.

With the Hopewind 385kW inverter, just three units cover a 1 MW plant, giving you 1,155kW of AC capacity, 24 MPPTs and 96 string inputs.

In 2026, a 1 MW ground-mounted solar plant in India typically costs ₹3.5 crore to ₹4 crore with non-DCR modules, excluding land. Plants that must use DCR modules, such as PM-KUSUM projects, can cost ₹4.3 crore to ₹5 crore, since DCR modules sell at a premium.

The final cost depends on the module type, mounting structure, cabling, transformer and distance to the grid connection point. Land is extra, and a ground-mounted 1 MW plant usually needs about 4 to 5 acres.

The Hopewind 385kW inverter is priced at approximately ₹5,00,000 per unit, or about ₹1.30 per watt. For a 1 MW plant using three units, the inverter cost comes to roughly ₹15 lakh.

Note: Inverter prices exclude GST and transportation and can vary by ±10–15% depending on location, order quantity and project size.

Ornate Solar is a leading solar company with 10 years of experience in the industry and the mission to reimagine the way solar is installed worldwide.

By not only partnering with the best-in-class solar brands but also developing our high-quality solutions (solar inverters, InRoof), we develop and deliver solutions that are modern, reliable, and effective. Ornate Solar is the official partner of Hopewind in India.

Ornate Solar is also a trusted BESS manufacturer in India. We have developed UnityESS, an advanced energy storage solution to provide reliable power and energy independence.

If you are planning a 1 MW solar plant, call us at 1800 2026 252 to discuss your options.