Direct Grid Technologies Micro-Inverter in Volume Production
After a rigorous and demanding beta and pilot production period, Direct Grid is now shipping its DGM-460 micro inverter in volume for lead customers in North America.
Direct Grid’s ambitious production ramp is launched through its contract manufacturing partner, SRI. Formerly a division of Siemens, According to Direct Grid, SRI is a well established, highly experienced power electronics contract manufacturer, carrying all the quality certifications and advanced production capability Direct Grid requires to fulfill their aggressive volume ramp plan. State of the art, automated production lines have been dedicated to Direct Grid micro-inverter production in order to meet capacity of 30,000 units per month.
In addition to European manufacture in SRI’s Durach, Germany location, SRI is commissioning an additional line in Direct Grid’s corporate headquarters in Edgewood New York. This added capacity will enable the company to fulfill demand throughout 2011.
With the design goal of creating a new paradigm for micro-inverters accessing the high power segments, Direct Grid has developed the industry leading DGM-460, a 500W class micro-inverter utilizing the high reliability and high efficiency Closed Loop MOSFET Planar technology developed and patent pending by the company. While competitive micro-inverters can address modules up to the 200-210W regime, the DGM-460 can handle a "duo" configuration, with one micro-inverter for every two modules, up to 500W.
According to Direct Grid President Frank Cooper, "North America is the hotbed for micro inverters and Direct Grid is poised to capitalize on this market segment. With a consistent trend being exhibited towards higher power modules, Direct Grid is at the forefront with a first-in-class utility grade micro-inverter that has the architecture flexibility to accommodate them. The DGM-460 is a testament of our dedication to manufacture a revolutionary, game-changing, high quality micro-inverter which will be able to create a "c-change" in both the module power adaptability, as well as the economic disruption affording our customers unprecedented economic, logistical, and reliability advantages."
