Do Micro-inverters Give a Better ROI than Central Inverters?
Author: Eben Russell; Published: Oct 22, 2009; Categories: Balance of System (BOS), PhotoVoltaic; Comments: 1
With Enphase Energy’s launch of their micro-inverter product line back in 2007 and several new micro-inverter products being announced at Solar Power International 2009 in Anaheim, central inverters could become a thing of the past. Perhaps it’s too early to tell, but micro-inverters definitely open up the PV installation market to a whole new world of highly capable AC electricians who have previously steered away from PV because of the complexity of higher voltage DC systems that required specialized training and experience.
Micro inverters allow electricians from the HVAC industry and perhaps even the satellite cable installation industry to readily offer PV installation services without having to learn complex DC string sizing and site analysis. Further time savings and cost reduction measures, as well as reduction of micro-inverter technology itself, look to be on a more aggressive and innovative path than what traditional central inverters could ever offer.
And, of course, the next iteration of technology will be to remove the DC junction box altogether and integrate the micro-inverter technology onto the back of the module directly and offer PV-AC modules. That could make PV as easy as stringing up Christmas lights (Oh no! Stringing Christmas lights is never that easy!).
Will Utility Scale PV Reach Grid Parity without Incentives?
Author: Eben Russell; Published: Oct 20, 2009; Categories: Balance of System (BOS), PhotoVoltaic, Utility Scale; Comments: None
The cost of PV Crystalline modules is dropping, and more and more cost reduction steps are taking place at the BOS level, such as Suntech’s release of the Reliathon product line. Reliathon is a cost reduction platform with Array Technologies’ DuraTrack HZ single axis tracker and multiple utility scale inverter manufacturers.
Is utility scale PV on a path to compete on a cost per AC MWH produced level with CSP, Wind or eventually traditional fossil fuel or nuclear power plants?
With government incentives such as the investment tax credit (ITC) as well as the emerging REC (Renewable Energy Credits) and Carbon Credits markets, utility scale PV plants are cost competitive now, but will they be able to reach grid parity in the absence of these incentives in the future?
