Partnership with Tabuchi
Tabuchi Electric, a solar inverter manufacturer, and Ampt, a leader in power conversion technology for solar power plant optimization, today announced a partnership to lower the cost and increase the performance of large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems. Tabuchi and Ampt will be collaborating on product advancements employing Tabuchi inverters and Ampt DC optimizers.
Tabuchi is the number-five solar inverter manufacturer in the world, according to Raymond James & Associates. The company recently entered the North American market with the launch of a residential solar + storage solution (EneTelus Intelligent Battery System), and began offering an inverter to commercial customers called the EneTelus Mega Value System (EMVAS).
Ampt’s DC Optimizers are used in commercial and utility-scale PV systems to lower the day-one cost while increasing performance. Ampt DC Optimizers allow inverters to operate in Ampt Mode®, which increases inverter rated output power to reduce the inverter cost per watt.
“Ampt-optimized systems are distinguished from other solutions by uniquely delivering a true spend-less-get-more value proposition – lowering the day-one cost of PV systems while improving performance,” said Harumi McClure, Managing Director at Tabuchi Electric. “The market opportunity is clear, and we’re excited to collaborate on a fully-optimized line of inverters, tailored to be deployed with Ampt’s DC optimizers. This combination will be a high-value solution for our large-scale customers.”
Additionally, Tabuchi has joined Ampt in the HDPV Alliance, an industry-wide organization built to foster a common vision for the development and adoption of lower cost and higher performing PV systems using distributed power optimization (DPO). HDPV, or High Definition PV, uses defined standards, tested compatibility and shared best practices to deliver products and services that optimize PV systems.
“Tabuchi is one of the most highly-respected companies in the inverter space, with a global presence and nearly a century of experience making quality electronics,” said Levent Gun, CEO of Ampt. “The collaboration will be driven by our shared mission of advancing lower-cost, highest quality PV systems for customers that help move the industry forward.”
String optimizer
Ampt also announced the launch of their V1000 line of String Optimizers. Ampt’s new String Optimizers are DC/DC power converters designed to increase the overall value of 1000 volt large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems. Ampt is showcasing the V1000 String Optimizer during Solar Power International 2015 at their booth (#6645).
Ampt’s V1000 String Optimizer represents a major step forward in power conversion technology for PV solar power plants. The V1000 has four times the power density of other DC optimizers. In addition, the V1000 optimizers increase the power density of the entire PV electrical system by getting double the power onto every cable and combiner box, as well as enabling a 50 percent higher rated power inverter. The result is a significant upfront savings in total system cost.
“With the availability of our new line of V1000 optimizers, utility-scale projects will be built at a lower cost, providing immediate return on investment to our customers,” said Levent Gun, CEO of Ampt. “In addition to cost optimization, the V1000 also enables our customers to produce maximum energy from the system to increase annual revenues. Cost savings plus higher revenues is a powerful combination for developers and their investors.”
The new V1000 series of String Optimizers adds to Ampt’s existing V600 product line up. Customers should now specify the V1000 optimizers for use in 1000 volt systems to achieve further cost savings in cabling, combiners and inverters. For 600 volt DC systems, customers should continue to use the V600 optimizers. Both product offerings lower total system cost on day one.
The Ampt V1000 and V600 String Optimizers include the following features:
-String Stretch technology to double the number of modules per string, eliminating half of the DC wiring, combining and labor
-Ampt Mode technology to increase inverter output power, lowering the inverter and AC electrical cost per watt by one-third
-Two MPP trackers per PV string to improve system performance
-Independent power optimization without reliance on communication
“Fueled by our recent Series C financing and strong demand for our String Optimizers, the V1000 is one in a series of innovations we’re developing to provide the industry with even greater value and cost reductions at the system level,” said Gun.
