Canada’s first rooftop solar installation to use 1000-V solar inverters has been completed. As the solar industry faces pressure to reduce costs, this is a timely advancement. Newer technology has allowed for 1,000Vdc systems to be installed on rooftops safely.
Up to this point, all rooftop systems have been 600Vdc. But Chinese manufacturer Sungrow, whose inverters were used in the project, says 1000-Vdc string inverters allow for lower wire costs, and its model also eliminates the need for combiner boxes since it uses 5 different built-in combiner options for maximum flexibility. The SG30’s 98.5% peak efficiency and dual MPPTs maintain high kWh yield, even with oddly shaped and partially shaded rooftops. Dual-stage conversion allows for wide DC operating ranges, and combined with smart active cooling, a light weight of 143 lbs (65kg), and other user friendly features, have made the SG30 well received in other places in North America and globally.
“There is a perception that the Chinese are not innovative,” says Mizhi Zhang, the CEO of Sungrow Canada. The fact that our 1,000-V string inverters are the first to be used in Canada shows that we are on the cutting edge. We’ve seen increasing demand for string inverters on large commercial rooftops and ground mounts across North America. Sungrow will continue to maintain its leading position in this area.”
Sungrow is currently working on multiple roof-top projects in Ontario with the ESA (Electric Safety Authority) from Windsor to Sault Ste. Marie. It is expected that 1000Vdc and even higher voltages will start being implemented on rooftops with advanced technology such as arch flash detection to ensure fire safety.
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