In one line
Conventional inverter that senses grid voltage and injects power, requires an existing grid waveform to operate.
What it means
A grid-following inverter requires an existing grid waveform reference and synchronises power injection to that reference. The conventional inverter operating mode for both solar and BESS applications. Grid-following inverters cannot black-start or operate in islanded mode without separate grid-forming resources.
Related terms
Browse every term in the renewable energy glossary, or read the latest analysis on Inverters & power electronics.