SolarEdge PV Solar Inverters

https://www.solaredge.com/

The Product

The SolarEdge system consists of inverters, power optimizers, storage solutions, and a cloud-based monitoring platform.   This system enables superior power harvesting and module management by deploying power optimizers to each PV module while maintaining a competitive system cost by keeping the alternating current (AC) inversion and grid interaction centralized using a simplified DC-AC inverter.

In a PV solar system that uses string inverters, multiple PV solar modules are connected in series, and then this “string” of modules is connected into the string inverter.   String inverters, which are larger and are not usually installed on rooftops or underneath modules (which generate a small amount of heat while producing electricity), can typically operate more efficiently than microinverters since they will often be operating at lower temperatures.   Also, since there are fewer components required, a string inverter system may be less costly to the customer, but this ultimately depends on the price the installing or sourcing company will charge and is not guaranteed.

DC optimizers are small components that are attached directly to each individual PV solar module, and can help increase the performance of a PV solar system compared to a system that utilizes a string inverter without these optimizers.   They do this by regulating the DC power that the individual modules produce in order to mitigate the effects of shaded conditions and module mismatch, while keeping the inverter in a more protected environment than under the modules.

SolarEdge invented the direct current (DC) optimized inverter system in order to maximize power generation at the individual PV module level while lowering the cost of energy produced by the solar PV system.

SolarEdge offers string inverters of all sizes, including for both single-phase and three-phase applications.   SolarEdge also offers an all-in-one PV solar inverter and battery inverter solution through their StorEdge™ product which can be used for standard PV power, on-grid storage, and backup power applications.   Their single-phase and three-phase inverters can reach CEC weighted efficiencies of 99%, and their StorEdge™ products can reach CEC weighted efficiencies of 97.5%.

SolarEdge’s DC optimizer technology also provides built-in functionality that inherently allows any system they are installed on to be compliant with the rapid shutdown requirements in the 2017 NEC and are certified to meet the new UL1741 SA standard which relates to a distributed system’s compatibility with the grid.

SolarEdge’s monitoring solution provides home and business owners with module-level monitoring capabilities free of charge for 25 years.