Dr. Bernd Engel Co-Authors: Günther Cramer Frank Greizer Joachim Laschinski Dr. Mike Meinhardt Dr. Matthias Victor 20 th European PV Conference Barcelona 2005 >>
Contents 2 1 Introduction 2 10 Years String Technology 3 Presentation SMC 8000TL 4 Future Trends 5 Conclusion
Contents 2 1 Introduction 2 10 Years String Technology 3 Presentation SMC 8000TL 4 Future Trends 5 Conclusion
SMA Technologie AG 3 Founded in 1981 Headquartered in Niestetal, Germany Approx. 1,000 employees worldwide, more than 15 % are engineers Technology leader and trend-setter in PV system technology More than 800 MVA AC PV inverter power installed
SMA worldwide 4
Contents 5 1 Introduction 2 10 Years String Technology 3 Presentation SMC 8000TL 4 Future Trends 5 Conclusion
Historical Milestones 6 Central inverter
PV plant configurations 7 PV strings Central inverter AC bus
Historical Milestones 8 Central inverter
PV plant configurations 8 PV strings PV strings String inverter Central inverter AC bus AC bus
Advantages of String Technology 9 No cost intensive DC cabling and distribution Inverters produced in high quantity series High efficiency inverters with η > 96 % available More energy yield due to several MPP-Trackers Easy planning, designing and installation Most economic solution for PV plants between 700 W and 100 kw
Historical Milestones 10 Central inverter
Progress in Price and Production Quantities 11
Progress in inverter efficiency 12
Progress in 15 years small PV inverters 13 1990 1995 2003 2005 PV-WR 1800 SB 700 SB Multistring SB with H5 technology Max. η: 90 % Max. η: 93 % Max. η: 96 % Max. η : 98 % Price: Price: Price: Price: Approx. 1,20 Euro/W Approx. 1,10 Euro/W Approx. 0,60 Euro/W Approx. 0,35 Euro/W
Contents 14 1 Introduction 2 10 Years String Technology 3 Presentation SMC 8000TL 4 Future Trends 5 Conclusion
SMC 8000TL with H5 TM technology 15 World record in max. efficiency (>98 %) due to H5 TM topology Technical Data: Continuous power: 8000 W AC @ 40 C Max. DC voltage: 700 V Max. efficiency: > 98 % First prototype presentation: Intersolar Freiburg Market introduction: End 2005
Opticool TM (example SB 3800) 16 The sensitive electronics are still IP 65 protected Power electronic heatsink and magnetics are air-cooled in IP 54 enclosure Even at 45 C ambient no derating due to efficient air-cooling Fan is temperature controlled Optimized fan has MTBF of 50 years (2000 operating hours per year)
Contents 17 1 Introduction 2 10 Years String Technology 3 Presentation SMC 8000Tl 4 Future Trends 5 Conclusion
Visions 18 Price: 0,40 Euro/W Optimising production process Design-to-cost Reduction by 50 % to 0,20 Euro/W Reliability, Service: MTBF: 0,1 Mio. Std. Higher integration Improved self diagnostics Internet communikation MTBF: 1 Mio. h. Plug and Play Efficiency: 92 96 % Better power semi-conductors New topologies η = 98,5 % (transformerless) η = 97 % (with transformer) Additional Features: None Intelligent closed loop and operational control Communication and Internet Independent power supply Reactive power control Power quality improvement Virtuell Power quality 2005 Development Approaches 2010
Future Trends: Example 1 More wireless and Internet communication 19 USB Internet Sunny Beam Sunny Portal
Future Trends: Example 2 More functions integrated in the inverter: ESS 20 Electronic Solar Switch (ESS): The new EN 60364-7-712 (Photovoltaic power supply systems) instructs a DC switch disconnector. This function is integrated in the inverter by the ESS.
Future Trends: Example 3 AC-Coupled PV for Off-grid Systems 21 Consumers 100 % compatible with the public grid All components add up their power in parallel operation Simplified design and operation of island grids Construction of distributed systems is possible Highest reliability due to redundant system configuration Easy expandability
Future Trends: Example 3: AC-Coupled PV for Off-grid Systems 21 Consumers 100 % compatible with the public grid All components add up their power in parallel operation Simplified design and operation of island grids Construction of distributed systems is possible Highest reliability due to redundant system configuration Easy expandability
Future Trends: Example 3: AC-Coupled PV for Off-grid Systems 21 9 villages in Xinjiang Province 17 villages in Yunnan Province Consumers 100 % compatible with the public grid All components add up their power in parallel operation Simplified design and operation of island grids Construction of distributed systems is possible Highest reliability due to redundant system configuration Easy expandability
Contents 22 1 Introduction 2 10 Years String Technology 3 Presentation SMC 8000TL 4 Future Trends 5 Conclusion
Conclusion 23 String technology is the most successful PV plant configuration in the world Low cost due to high quantity series production and reduced DC cabling High efficiency inverters up to 98 % available More energy yield due to several MPP-Trackers Most economic solution for PV plants between 700 W and 100 kw The best 50 kw AC PV inverter (three phase) is consisting of 6 single phase SMC 8000TL inverters Thank you for your attention!