PV electrical basics
Industry Term

Clipping

Clipping occurs when a solar system could produce more power than the inverter or module-level electronics can convert, so the excess energy is not captured.

What does Clipping mean?

Clipping occurs when a solar system could produce more power than the inverter or module-level electronics can convert, so the excess energy is not captured.

What does solar clipping look like?

On a production graph, clipping often appears as a flat top during otherwise strong sun hours. Some clipping can be a normal design trade-off, but frequent or avoidable clipping can reduce lifetime energy value.

How it relates to Tigo

Tigo’s Microinverter Tax materials focus on how DC-optimized systems can reduce avoidable clipping, especially with high-wattage modules and batteries.

Related Tigo resources

  • TS4-A-O
  • TS4-X-O
  • EI Inverter (US)
  • EI Inverter (EU)

Related glossary terms

  • Clipping Tax
  • Inverter Clipping
  • Module-Level Clipping
  • DC:AC Ratio