Solectria Renewables Supplies Inverters for Largest High Concentrating Solar PV Power Generation Facility in the World

Solectria Renewables, LLC announced that the largest high concentrating photovoltaic power (CPV) generating facility in the world, consisting of over 500 large CPV pedestals, smart inverters and dual axis trackers was put into service. The site is located in Alamosa, Colorado, and extends over 225 acres.

Cogentrix Energy, LLC, a nationally active independent power provider based in Charlotte, North Carolina, utilized Solectria Renewables’ utility-scale inverters for their 30MW Alamosa Solar Generating Project due to its industry-leading product performance at high altitudes and track record for reliable operation in harsh desert conditions.

The site is interconnected at the 115kV transmission level and uses a cutting edge PV plant controller, allowing the operator to choose between a variety of smart grid operating modes. The plant can provide large amounts of reactive power, closed loop power factor control, as well as ac voltage regulation. Moreover, the controller can throttle the site’s solar energy output to help regulate the grid frequency, when needed.

"The Alamosa project demonstrates the immense capabilities of smart grid inverters which will be put to use throughout the United States in the coming years," said Phil Vyhanek, President of Solectria Renewables. "I am immensely proud of the achievements of our power systems engineering group, which was created to support large site customers like Cogentrix, during plant testing and certification."

More news and information regarding the latest developments in Smart Grid electronics can be found at Darnell’s SmartGridElectronics.Net.