Global PV company SolarEdge Technologies will unveil its new HD-Wave inverter technology at All-Energy 2015.
SolarEdge Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy, Lior Handelsman, told EcoGeneration that the large size of magnetics and cooling components in inverters as well as their stagnant conversion design have curtailed advances in the solar inverter space.
This is compared to the computer industry, which has seen a doubling in processing power every 18-24 months.
“There have been improvements over the last few years. However, if you compare this to other electronic devices like computers and mobile phones, the rate of change has been slower,” Mr Handelsman said. He said the physicality of traditional inverters “literally and figuratively weigh the inverters down”.
“Raw materials do not scale down in costs over time in the same way as other things. Physical components like aluminium and copper make inverters expensive. Even if electronics are developing rapidly, you’re stuck with these high-cost physical components.”
With the new HD-Wave technology, Mr Handelsman said SolarEdge has found a new way of creating the AC wave – an inverter’s main function – by using a digital processing algorithm that reduces the traditional size and weight of an inverter’s magnetics and cooling components.
In the new HD-Wave technology, distributed switching and powerful digital signal processing synthesises a clean sine wave. Less magnetics is required to create the AC sine wave, and an efficient design with minimal heat loss reduces cooling requirements.
Mr Handelsman compared this innovation to the advent of flat screen TVs, where CRT and magnetics were replaced by electronic components.
“The revolution here is that we can now improve as fast as electronics and unlike other inverters, are no longer weighed down by physical components.
“This makes a world of difference for installers. The inverter can be handled by one installer as it weighs less than 10 kg. It is easy to service and displays higher efficiency.”
According to Mr Handelsman, SolarEdge’s new technology is expected to increase reliability and optimise the performance of solar energy systems to 99 per cent efficiency and beyond – an increase that will provide more solar power at a lower cost.
SolarEdge is set to launch the technology for the first time at Solar Power International in Anaheim, California, which will take place from September 14-17.
Mr Handelsman said the product will be launched in Australia at All-Energy 2015, but will only be available to the local market mid-next year.
All you need to know about SolarEdge’s HD-Wave inverter technology
- Small and lightweight at less than 10 kg
- 99 per cent weighted efficiency (33 per cent to 50 per cent less losses than the market)
- Built-in meter with approximately 0.5 per cent accuracy
- Up to 1.5 kW self-sustaining power outlet option (for backup power)
- Lower heat dissipation and thin film, in place of electrolytic capacitors
- Up to 165 per cent oversizing allowed.
Watch a video on how the technology works:
