SunPower offers first modular solution for building utility-scale plants

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  SunPower SCADA

Product Briefing Outline: SunPower Corporation has developed the ‘SunPower Oasis’ Power Plant, which it claims is the industry's first modular solar power block that scales from 1-megawatt ac (MW) distributed installations to large central station power plants. SunPower Oasis is said to provide a fully integrated, cost-effective way to rapidly deploy utility-scale solar, streamlining the development and construction process.

Problem: As power utilities continue to build larger, more sophisticated solar power plants, it is critical that a seamlessly integrated solution is offered. SunPower Oasis streamlines the entire power plant development process, from permitting through construction and financing.

Solution: SunPower Oasis is engineered from the ground up to optimize use of available land. Each power block integrates the SunPower T0 Tracker with SunPower's high-efficiency, 400-watt utility solar panel, pre-manufactured system cabling, the Oasis smart inverter, and the Oasis operating system. SunPower Oasis also features the SunPower advanced Tracker Monitoring and Control System (TMAC) for wireless control of the power plant. Advanced controls maximize energy production, anticipate and protect the array from storm conditions, and enable efficient operation and maintenance, resulting in the lowest lifetime operating cost per MWh of any fixed or tracking photovoltaic power plant system. The power block kits are shipped pre-assembled to the job site for rapid field installation, and are claimed to offer the highest capacity factor and the most reliable long-term performance according to the company. Both the electrical and mechanical layout of the power block has been optimized to minimize field wiring, further driving down your balance of system costs.

Applications: Utility-scale solar power plants.

Platform: The SunPower Oasis operating system is designed to support future grid interconnection requirements for large-scale solar power plants, such as voltage ride through and power factor control. It also features utility-standard SCADA operation and analytical tools, which include intelligent sensor and control networks for optimized power plant operation.

Availability: May 2010 onwards.