PHOTON International The Photovoltaic Magazine

Mastervolt launches inverter range for outside use

The Dutch company Mastervolt Solar BV will bring a new inverter range onto the market in 2006 – the Sunmaster XS series – which will comprise at least four units with DC power ratings of between 4.5 and 7 kW.

	© Martin Sachse for photon-pictures.com
Weather protected: The Sunmaster XS6500 is Mastervolt’s first outside inverter.

The inverters will all have an aluminum housing with protection type IP 65 and are thereby suited for use outside. Further common attributes include an input voltage range of 100 to 600 V, several dynamic MPP trackers, as well as a UL listing, which qualifies it for the US market.

The Sunmaster XS6500 will be the first of the new series to be available on the market at the beginning of next year. It features two MPP trackers as well as an AC power rating of 5 kW, which is the highest power allowed for single-phase on-grid inverters in Germany. According to information from the manufacturer, the continuous power of 5 kW ought to be steady up to an ambient
temperature of 40 °C.

Internally, the inverter works with a transformer for galvanic isolation between the DC and AC sides. Thereby, it achieves a maximum efficiency of 95 percent; the European efficiency is 94 percent. In order to avoid unwanted islanding, the XS6500, which will be available in Europe and the US, has a grid-monitoring device that complies with DIN VDE 0126 (Germany), IEEE 929 (US), and G83 (UK).

The unit, which weighs 24 kg, is unrestrictedly suitable for outside use just like the other units from the range. It can handle a temperature range of between -20 °C and +60 °C. Operational data is displayed to the system operator via an illuminated LCD. Yield data and problem reports are saved by the integrated data logger for a period of 30 days. The operational data can also be transmitted via an integrated RS 485 interface. According to information from the manufacturer, the XS6500 is intended to have a 20-year lifespan. The price is not yet available.

datasheet

Mastervolt B.V.
Snijdersbergweg 93
1105 AN Amsterdam Zuidoost
The Netherlands
phone +31/20/3422-100, fax -169
solar@mastervolt.com
www.mastervoltsolar.com