First PV inverter from Solectria

After producing inverters for 15 years, Woburn, Massachusetts-based Solectria Corporation, a manufacturer of components for electric vehicles as well as hybrid and fuel cell cars, started sales of its first PV inverter in August.      

© Solectria Corporation Solectria plans to export its PVI13KW on-grid inverter to Europe and Asia in 2005.

The new solar on-grid inverter PVI13KW has a power rating of 13.2 kW. If connected in parallel, AC power ratings of 20 to 26, 38, 52 kW or more can be achieved. On the DC side, the inverter searches for the optimal operating voltage for the solar generator in the range of between 225 and 385 V. A transformer matches the voltage to that of the North American grid and then in a three-phase mode feeds into either the 208 or 480 V public grid. 

At night the inverter's standby usage is reduced to zero. The protection type of the PVI13KW's casing is NEMA 3R, which corresponds approximately to IP 24. As the power and control electronic systems within the main casing are protected additionally to a NEMA 4 protection type level (about equivalent to IP 64), the inverter is also suitable for use outdoors.

Solectria gives a five-year guarantee for the UL1741 certified device. When purchased in smaller quantities, the price is under 70¢ per W AC, which is equal to around $9,200 per unit. For the moment, Solectria solely offers the PVI13KW in North America, but envisions the product's entry into the European and Asian markets for the next year. At the same time, Solectria wishes to secure a large share of the North American market for three-phase inverters with 10 to 55 kW power ratings. "We expect a market share of between 15 and 25 percent," comments Solectria CEO James Worden.

datasheet

Solectria Corporation
9 Forbes Road
Woburn, MA 01801, USA
phone +1/781/932-9009, fax -9219
sales@solectria.com 
www.solectria.com

Birgit Bomfleur
 © PHOTON International, October 2004