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Many manufacturers of central inverters have roots in the European market, which for many years dominated multi-megawatt installations functioning as solar power generators for the utility grid. As North American demand for utility-scale solar surges ahead on the world stage, European firms have sought to make their systems compliant with U.S. and Canadian requirements. In addition, North America has seen the rise of homegrown players.

What follows is a survey of utility-scale central inverters for the North American marketplace.

 

AEG Power Solutions Protect PV.630-UL

The AEG Power Solutions Protect PV.630-UL is a 630 kW UL-certified central solar inverter designed for U.S. utility-scale ground-mount installations. The inverter features a power stack with monitoring and control technology enabling DC input voltages of up to 1,000 V. The PV.630-UL supports an operating temperature range of -4°F to 122°F. The unit weighs 3,638 lbs and has dimensions of 87 x 89 x 36 in, making it easier to transport, install and service. The enclosure of double-walled aluminum with a stainless-steel plinth can be mounted on concrete foundations. The Protect PV.630-UL incorporates a cooling system that provides air circulation within the inverter.

The Protect PV.630-UL has grid management features that can be adapted to the requirements of the utility. The system has four ways to provide reactive power control, adjustable settings for low-voltage ride-through, provisionable ramp parameters for start-and-stop operations, options to adjust the effective power to stabilize grid frequency and remote power control.

The Protect PV.500 OD UL inverter - a 500 kV version of the same family - was selected for a 5.8 MW commercial PV installation for PPA Partners in Yuma, Ariz. AEG subsidiary skytron energy provided a monitoring, control and supervision package.

 

AE Solar Energy 1000NX

The AE Solar 1000NX is a transformerless 1 MW capacity central inverter for large commercial- and utility-scale photovoltaic power applications. The 1000NX features a bipolar 1,000 V system topology, a single engine and cooling system, and a combiner-level PV tie that allows system designers to reduce overall DC wiring costs by up to 40%. Each inverter has a self-contained, closed-loop liquid-cooling system, eliminating the need for air-­conditioned shelters in hot environments.

The inverter is equipped with utility interactive controls and a range of frequency and voltage ride-through profiles to handle fluctuations in power and other unanticipated events.

The inverter is also built for integration into the AE 1000NX PowerStation, which allows multiple inverters to be wired into a single winding medium-voltage transformer. The units are factory-built and pre-wired to meet site-specific requirements.

 

Bonfiglioli USA RPS TL-UL

The Bonfiglioli RPS TL-UL is a modular inverter system with up to seven independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) inputs and a range of inverter power ratings from 367 kW to 1.40 MW. Each inverter module has a DC load break disconnect to provide isolation from the solar array.

The system includes a suite of power management functions, including fault ride-through.

The Bonfiglioli RPS Station is an integrated PV power conversion system equipped with Bonfiglioli RPS TL-UL inverters, and is available in a wide range of configurations, electrical power ratings and design options to meet even the most demanding requirements.

For the 2.28 MW PV Brighton solar energy project for Samuel Engineering in Thornton, Colo., Bonfiglioli USA supplied an integrated 1.834 MW RPS Station, which included two 917 kW RPS TL-UL modular inverter systems inside a factory built eHouse and a 2.0 MV medium-voltage step-up transformer.

 

Danfoss QLX Central Inverter

The Danfoss QLX liquid-cooled central inverter series has been designed to operate efficiently at temperatures exceeding 50°C. The QLX is equipped with power stack technology and variable speed drives to improve performance in outdoor environments and reduce maintenance. The series is available in 1,000-1,500 kVA models.

The Indiana Municipal Power Agency has chosen a Danfoss QLX central inverter to power a 1 MW solar power site near Richmond, Ind.

 

KACO New Energy XP550-OD-TL

The KACO New Energy XP550-OD-TL inverter has an input range of 550 V to 830 V and a maximum system voltage of 1,100 V. The inverter features AC and DC surge protection, redundant power supplies, and ground fault detection and interruption. A temperature-dependent variable fan speed provides environmental control.

OCI Solar Power has selected XP550-OD-TL inverters for its 400 MW PV project in San Antonio, of which the 41 MW Alamo I solar plant is the first phase.

 

Power Electronics Freesun HEC-UL

The Power Electronics Freesun HEC-UL is a modular and redundant outdoor central solar inverter for utility-scale plants in the U.S. and Canadian markets. The system includes independent modules that work individually, each with its own power board, control board, ventilation system and other essential components. The sealed enclosure helps maintain a low working temperature, while protecting electronics from dust or dirt.

The Freesun HEC-UL includes dynamic grid support features such as low- and high-voltage ride-through and regulation, frequency ride-through and regulation, power factor and reactive power injection control, and ramp rate control.

The Freesun HEK Open Skid platform packages the Freesun HEC solar inverters with step-up pad-mount transformer and auxiliary equipment along with factory-integrated DC disconnection and protection.

 

Power One Aurora Ultra 750/1100/1500

The Power One Aurora Ultra is the largest central inverter in the Aurora family, with an input of 1.5 MW. The system is designed for large utility-­scale installations and supports a maximum system voltage of 1,000 V and up to four independent MPPT input channels. Direct transformerless conversion to 690 V is intended to reduce AC distribution cost. The enclosure houses a closed-loop liquid cooling system.

The inverter works with the Aurora Plant Manager, a customer premise data acquisition, and communication system for a wide range of commercial and utility PV plant applications.

 

Santerno TG 760 1000V TL-NA

The Santerno TG 760 1000V TL-NA is a central inverter for large-scale solar farms in the North American market. It has a maximum system power of 1,000 V and a maximum operating temperature of 122°F.

As part of Santerno’s Solar Skids package, inverters are fully integrated on a transportable skid and are housed in a cabinet with modular construction. The units also feature grid code integrated features such as low-voltage ride-through, reactive power control, and frequency and voltage control. The skids also incorporate medium-voltage transformers and switchgear.

Greenwood Biosar has selected Santerno 1.5 MW and 750 kW Solar Skids powered by TG 760 1000 V TL-NA inverters for a 2.4 MW solar plant in Vermont.

 

Solectria Renewables SGI 500XT

The Solectria Renewables SGI 500XT is designed for direct coupling to an external transformer in large commercial- and utility-scale applications. The SGI 500XT contains all critical components in a compact enclosure. The design features include a wide range of DC subcombiner (fuses or breakers), optional AC disconnect or AC breaker, and room inside the cabinet to facilitate wiring and service.

The SGI 500XT supports advanced grid management for power plants, including real and reactive power control and fault ride-through.

Twenty Solectria SGI 500XTs are installed at the 12.5 MW IND Solar Farm, built by Cenergy Power, at Indianapolis International Airport. R