Island Technology, a manufacturer of electric utility products and services, has launched Direct Grid Technologies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary that will manufacture solar micro-inverters for residential and commercial photovoltaic applications.
Direct Grid offers a patent-pending, closed-loop MOSFET planar micro-inverter design made specifically for thin-film PV modules. According to the company, this cost-effective solution significantly increases micro-inverter reliability and efficiency.
At the upcoming Solar Power International conference in Anaheim, Calif., the company plans to initially launch the OEM Series and SMART Series micro-inverters for thin-film PV manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers interested in offering turnkey systems.
The OEM Series will consist of a stand-alone unit that converts DC to AC, enabling 200 W or 300 W power generation for direct connection on the grid. The SMART Series will incorporate additional communication functionality to enable theft prevention and remote monitoring via a separate Web-based user interface or phone application. Both the OEM Series and SMART Series offer safeguards in the event of power outages and fire.
The first product shipments are expected in the fourth quarter.
SOURCE: Direct Grid Technologies LLC
