Ac assisted off-grid solar power inverters

A method of enabling an AC assisted off-grid power inverter, comprising:

• a) performing AC synchronization when combining the AC input power with the generated AC power by the inverter;
• b) opening an AC electric relay to prevent the inverter from receiving AC input power;
• c) closing the AC electric relay to allow the inverter to receive AC input power;
• and
• d) switching among the solar only mode, AC only mode, and combined power mode based on pre-determined conditions relating to available DC power and connected AC loads.

A method of controlling power output of an AC assisted off-grid power inverter, comprising:

• a) performing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for one or more DC input sources to maximize DC power input;
• b) generating AC power from the DC power input;
• c) receiving input AC power from an electric grid or AC power source;
• d) combining the generated AC power with the input AC power to power one or more AC loads;
• e) monitoring the direction and magnitude of AC current flow at the AC input port;
• and
• f) adjusting the inverter's power output to reduce or eliminate backfeed of power to the grid or AC source.