PHOTON International The Photovoltaic Magazine

SatCon launches PV on-grid inverter series

The US manufacturer SatCon Technology Corporation has started its first push to enter the market for on-grid PV inverters. The PowerGate AE-PV series consists of three devices with nominal powers of 50, 100, and 225 kW.

	© SatCon Technology Corporation
One to come: While sales for SatCon's 50 and 100 kW grid-tied inverters started recently, the 225 kW inverter is scheduled for March.

While the 100 kW inverter has been available worldwide since December, the 50 kW version was scheduled for market introduction in January. The 225 kW device will be launched in March because it still awaits approvals from UL and the California Energy Commission (CEC). Without a certificate from the latter, PV systems don't qualify for CEC rebates, explains SatCon's product line manager Vince Scaini.

At between 250 and 660 V, the MPP range of the three inverters is rather broad compared to other devices, and the maximum efficiencies of over 96 percent are extraordinarily high. What also makes the inverter unique is an AC contactor in front of the transformer, says Scaini. With this device the transformer can be disconnected from the line during the sleep mode to reduce power consumption.

SatCon offers the inverters with different transformers and CE certificate on request to fulfill international requirements. A display and RS 232 and RS 485 communication ports are included for monitoring purposes. The housings adhere to protection type NEMA 1 and NEMA 3R and are suitable only for indoor use. SatCon offers a five-year warranty that can be extended to 20 years at an additional charge. The list prices before taxes for the three inverter models are $36,500 (AE-50-60-PV-A), $79,500 (AE-100-60-PV-A), and $114,500 (AE-225-60-PV-A). Lead time is eight to ten weeks.

Ontario-based SatCon Power Systems Canada Ltd. is a division of SatCon Technology Corporation. It has been manufacturing power conditioning systems for renewable energies since 1988. According to a Nov. 24 press release, the US manufacturer of thin-film solar modules United Solar Ovonic LLC has selected SatCon for installations with powers of more than 50 kW. The company is the »preferred supplier« for Uni-Solar, claims SatCon employee Tony Galbraith, but has no exclusive rights.

datasheet

SatCon Power Systems Canada Ltd.
835 Harrington Court
Burlington, Ontario L7N 3P3
Canada
phone +1/905/639-4692, fax -0961
sales@satcon.com
www.satcon.com