New solar inverters achieve top efficiency levels of 98.4 percent

The three-phase transformerless inverters with graded power outputs of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 kilowatts achieve an efficiency level of 98.4 percent. The version with two megawatts is the most powerful transformerless device currently on the market. The top efficiency of the new Siemens inverters enables plant operators to realize a high yield when feeding into the medium-voltage grid, for instance in the case of ground-mounted PV systems and systems mounted on large roofs.

The new compact Sinvert PVS central inverters are also available in photovoltaic containers, complete with medium-voltage components. These inverters will be presented for the first time at Intersolar Europe in Munich on Siemens' booth B4.310. The efficiency level, which is 0.2 percent higher than that of comparable products, enables a considerably higher yield to be achieved throughout the operating period of a photovoltaic system. With the master/slave technique it is possible not only to increase plant availability, but also to attain a longer plant service life. Furthermore, the efficiency level is higher than that of a stand-alone system, as the inverters can be switched in and out as required, depending on solar radiation. The efficiency of the solar plant can thus be optimized, particularly in the case of partial-load operation: the plant starts up even at low solar radiation, and reaches very high efficiency levels even in the lower performance range. As the inverter sub-unit with the fewest operating hours is always controlled as the master, this enables the operating time to be evenly distributed between the inverters, which will prolong the service life of the plant.

The new Sinvert PVS inverter series can be easily integrated into Scada systems through standardized communication interfaces. A pixel-graphics display with touch screen enables user-friendly local operation of the inverters and visualization of the performance data. The new devices comply with the medium-voltage guidelines of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries with all requirements including FRT (Fault Ride Through) and active power control.

The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the worldwide leading supplier of environmentally friendly production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies and comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 207,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry achieved in fiscal year 2009 total sales of approximately €35 billion.

The Siemens Industry Automation Division (Nuremberg, Germany) is a worldwide leader in the fields of automation systems, industrial controls and industrial software. Its portfolio ranges from standard products for the manufacturing and process industries to solutions for whole industrial sectors that encompass the automation of entire automobile production facilities and chemical plants. As a leading software supplier, Industry Automation optimizes the entire value added chain of manufacturers – from product design and development to production, sales and a wide range of maintenance services. With around 39,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry Automation achieved sales of €7.0 billion in fiscal year 2009.

Reference Number: IIA2010052281e

All latest news from the category: Power and Electrical Engineering

This topic covers issues related to energy generation, conversion, transportation and consumption and how the industry is addressing the challenge of energy efficiency in general.

innovations-report provides in-depth and informative reports and articles on subjects ranging from wind energy, fuel cell technology, solar energy, geothermal energy, petroleum, gas, nuclear engineering, alternative energy and energy efficiency to fusion, hydrogen and superconductor technologies.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Lighting up the future

New multidisciplinary research from the University of St Andrews could lead to more efficient televisions, computer screens and lighting. Researchers at the Organic Semiconductor Centre in the School of Physics and…

Researchers crack sugarcane’s complex genetic code

Sweet success: Scientists created a highly accurate reference genome for one of the most important modern crops and found a rare example of how genes confer disease resistance in plants….

Evolution of the most powerful ocean current on Earth

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays an important part in global overturning circulation, the exchange of heat and CO2 between the ocean and atmosphere, and the stability of Antarctica’s ice sheets….

Partners & Sponsors