Sandia National Laboratories has highlighted the critical role of power electronics reliability, namely the PV inverter, which transforms electrons generated from sunlight into a tightly regulated power grid. Sandia's conclusion is that inverter failure is twice as costly as other unexpected maintenance events and deserves specific attention to bolster profitability. However, because of the rapid adoption of PV solar in large commercial and utility-scale applications in the United States and Canada, combined with an expected 25-percent compounded growth rate for inverter sales, the variety of inverter choices has grown as the number of PV inverter suppliers has doubled.
This presentation illustrates and compares two novel approaches to conventional O&M and installation practices with the status quo, which can make or break profitability over the life of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The presentation will also contrast existing PV plant power architecture with a new power architecture ideal for large residential and commercial applications, which closes the reliability gap by offering the scalability of string inverters with the adaptability of micro-inverters.
Without a "whole system approach" to photovoltaic solar power electrical harvest, conceivably as little as 50 percent of the manufacturers' power rating may be harvested. An innovative systematic approach to hardware, software, monitoring, cleaning, and cooling will guarantee that you will harvest within 10 percent of the theoretical factory wattage rating on the solar panel (PTC).
PTC stands for "PVUSA Test Conditions." PTC watt rating is based on 1000 Watt/m2 solar irradiance, 20-degree Celsius ambient temperature, and 1 meter/second wind speed.
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