Mitsubishi Electric Announces Photovoltaic Inverter for European Market
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced that it will introduce two models of photovoltaic inverters to the European market on September 1st. The inverters, which convert the dc current from solar cells to ac for power grid use, have one of the highest conversion efficiency (Max. 96.2%) and input voltage (Max. 700v) ratings in the industry, and will be displayed at the Intersolar 2006 exhibition in Freiberg, Germany, Europe's largest solar products trade fair, starting June 22. Europe is the largest market in the world for photovoltaic power generation systems, and continues to grow at an annual rate of about 50%. This is due in part to the rapid expansion caused by Germany's new "Feed-in Tariff" subsidy system and other similar systems established in Spain and Italy.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. will be the first Japanese manufacturer to launch independently developed and manufactured photovoltaic inverters to the European market. The company expects stable growth and aims to strengthen its photovoltaic power generation system business in the world's largest market. The new products are similar to the models produced for the Japanese domestic market. Sales will begin initially with indoor installation types, and then expand into other areas like outdoor installations.
The internal circuitry uses a new 3-level inverter system (patent pending), as well as a high output low-loss new ferrite core material reactor filter to adjust electric current waveform, all allowing for optimal control and high conversion efficiency. One of the industry's highest input voltages has been achieved by using a newly developed input circuitry (patent pending) to minimize reduced conversion efficiency from high input voltage. Responses to high input voltage can make reduction in numbers of input strings, increasing the numbers of modules in series per one string, and improve the installation work.
Dust from cooling fans used to cool circuit boards has reduced the reliability of previous photovoltaic inverters. In this new inverter, the company mounted a temperature control fan that runs only when and where it is needed. This newly developed construction works only as a heat dissipation fan, and does not blow air onto the circuit board, blocking excessive flow to the circuit board. This maintains cleanliness in the circuit board section, giving the inverter superb and long lasting reliability. This structure can also operate in a wide temperature range of -25 °C to +60°C fit for strict European installation conditions such as basements.
