*Question E7D11:
What is the purpose of an inverter connected to a solar panel output?*  

*Correct Answer is  D: Convert the panel’s output from DC to AC*  

### AI Response: (may contain errors)  

An inverter connected to a solar panel output serves a specific purpose:

### Correct Answer: D: Convert the panel’s output from DC to AC

1. **Why the correct answer is correct:**
   - Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity. However, most household appliances and the electrical grid operate on alternating current (AC). An inverter is used to convert the DC output of the solar panel into AC, making it compatible with these systems.

2. **Why the other choices are incorrect:**
   - **A: Reduce AC ripple on the output**  
     - This choice is incorrect because solar panels produce DC, not AC. AC ripple is a concern in AC systems, not in the DC output of solar panels.
   
   - **B: Maintain voltage with varying illumination levels**  
     - This choice is incorrect because maintaining voltage with varying illumination is typically managed by a charge controller, not an inverter. The inverter's primary role is to convert DC to AC.
   
   - **C: Prevent discharge when panel is not illuminated**  
     - This choice is incorrect because preventing discharge is the role of a blocking diode or a charge controller, which stops the battery from discharging back into the solar panel when there is no sunlight.

### Additional Information:
- **Inverter Functionality:**  
  The inverter takes the DC voltage from the solar panel and uses electronic circuits to produce an AC waveform. This is essential for integrating solar power into the existing AC infrastructure of homes and the grid.