The inverter converts your panels' DC power to usable AC. String inverters (SolarEdge, Tesla) run sets of panels through one box: more efficient and cheaper, but one shaded panel drags down its whole string, and if the inverter dies, the whole system is down. Tesla's is 12.5-year warrantied with famously thin customer service; SolarEdge has known failure rates that make many installers wary.
Microinverters (Enphase, essentially alone here) put one on every panel: one fails, the rest keep producing. 25-year warranties, excellent support, the best app ecosystem, and the natural pairing for Enphase storage. My rule: beautiful sunny roof + cost focus = string. Shade, long-term security, or future Enphase battery plans = micros, no contest.