Ideal Power, a developer of innovative power conversion technologies, announced today that its new SunDial solar photovoltaic (PV) string inverter, which includes an optional bi-directional 3rd port for direct integration of solar with energy storage, was recognized as one of the top 20 energy storage disruptors by a leading solar and storage publication PV-Tech. The list singles out energy storage technologies and related services that are making an impact on the storage industry.
“The multiport conversion system offers greater opportunities for solar+storage, and shows an acknowledgement of a future behind-the-meter market where pairing storage with solar PV becomes common,” said Greentech Media’s Brett Simon, an energy storage industry analyst who was quoted in the article.
The SunDial was introduced in early May 2016 as the only commercial PV string inverter that offers a field-upgradable, bi-directional energy storage port. This unique feature gives PV installers and integrators the ability to add energy storage to a solar array either at the time of install or at any time in the future with a simple upgrade kit. The SunDial’s optional DC battery port eliminates most of the extra equipment and cost traditionally associated with integrating energy storage with PV, including an additional bi-directional inverter to connect the battery to the grid with its associated AC switchgear and cabling. The SunDial offers many of the advantages of a central inverter, such as full galvanic isolation, but in the compact, light-weight form factor of a transformerless inverter.
“When we introduced the SunDial, we saw it as a major milestone for the $6.9 billion* global solar PV inverter industry because of the flexibility and capital savings it would offer to solar installers that want to offer storage to their customers either today or in the future,” said Dan Brdar, CEO of Ideal Power. “We are pleased with the response we’ve already received to the SunDial and we’re honored to receive this recognition from PV-Tech.”
Ideal Power is taking SunDial pre-orders now for deliveries beginning in September 2016 and is displaying the product at Intersolar North America July 12-14, 2016, in San Francisco, CA.
*Estimated global solar PV inverter revenues in 2015 according to IHS Technology
News item from Ideal Power.