Patent ID: 8872381

Claim:
A utility interconnection inverter device, comprising: an inverter circuit that comprises a plurality of switching elements, and that converts electrical power generated by a solar panel from DC to AC by the switching of the plurality of switching elements; and a controller that controls the switching of the plurality of switching elements; and wherein the AC power converted by the inverter circuit is fed into a system power supply; characterized by comprising: a power circuit to which are connected a first circuit by which power for the controller is supplied at a first voltage from the solar panel, and a second circuit by which power for the controller is supplied at a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage from a control power supply which is different from the system power supply; and that selects, from among the first circuit and the second circuit, that circuit by which power for the controller is supplied at higher voltage, and supplies power to the controller from that selected circuit; a first switch that opens and closes the second circuit, the first switch being connected in series to the second circuit; and a power detection unit that detects the power generated by the solar panel; and in that the controller: changes over the first switch from closed to open, when the power detected by the power detection unit becomes less than a night time decision value for deciding that it is night time; and changes over the first switch from open to closed, when the power detected by the power detection unit becomes greater than or equal to the night time decision value.