Advanced Energy Introduces New Utility-Scale Solar Inverter
Advanced Energy® Industries, Inc. introduced its newest Solaron® offering – a 500kW, utility-scale, transformerless, grid-tie photovoltaic (PV) inverter. Extending the Solaron portfolio beyond inverters for commercial and small-scale utility installations, the 500kW inverter is said to achieve similar, unsurpassed efficiencies as the other Solaron models – 97.5% CEC-weighted (California Energy Commission) efficiency rating (pending).
In addition to delivering more power per inverter for utility-scale installations, the newest Solaron model is said to deliver previously unachievable return on investment (ROI) – from installation through decades of energy harvests. Specifically, before installation is complete, integrators can save tens of thousands of dollars per panel section because multiple Solaron inverters can be routed into a single, medium-voltage station. In operation, unbeatable Solaron efficiencies enable power producers to achieve higher energy harvests over an inverter’s lifetime, which the company states results in more favorable landed cost-per-kilowatt-hour ratios than was possible until now. Moreover, in addition to the savings from our transformerless design, integrators who choose particular Solaron options can save up to 50% on specified material costs like cables, achieving improved ROI even before installation is complete.
Features such as AE’s Integrated Data System™ (IDS™) with instant access to Solaron data from anywhere at anytime and AE’s SafeGuardSM wholly-customizable, comprehensive service program are part of the Solaron optimized balance-of-system (BoS) architecture, which can proactively maximize system uptime, power generation and inverter life.
Designed for utility-scale installations, the Solaron 500kW inverter features a durable, transformerless, grid-tie design, converting raw dc power from solar-cell arrays to high-quality ac-grid electricity. With its robust controls and patented, soft-switching technology, the Solaron inverter achieves 97.5% CEC efficiency (pending).
A wide MPP (maximum power point) tracking window ensures maximum, day-long power processing. Both local and remote communications and control are always available via AE’s Solaron IDS integrated data system. Moreover, a comprehensive portfolio of services offerings – from installation assistance to long-term warranties and maintenance programs – is said to allow integrators and power producers to continuously operate Solaron inverters at optimal performance for decades.
