Rosendin Electric and Ampt have announced the availability of a new offering to repower large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that are underperforming or that require inverter replacement. The solution uses Ampt String Optimizers to improve power plant performance and increase return on investment. To learn more about Ampt, visit their booth # 9239 at Intersolar North America – July 11-13, 2017.
Problem
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As PV power plants age, many inverters experience significant faults and downtime, or fail after reaching their expected operating life. Often the original model inverter is either expensive and inefficient compared to modern inverters or is no longer available. In the past, this has caused substantial reworking of the system, or portions of the PV plant to remain offline.
Solution
Ampt String Optimizers are DC-to-DC converters that put dual maximum power point trackers (MPPTs) on each string of PV modules to improve the system's lifetime performance. Ampt's patented technology is claimed to recover approximately 60% of energy losses caused by the electrical imbalances which occur as systems degrade. When used to repower existing PV systems, Ampt optimizers are connected to the existing wires and combiners and include optional wireless communication for remote monitoring and enhanced O&M.
Applications
Rosendin Electric's repowering service includes a performance assessment, engineering, installation of Ampt String Optimizers, and re-commissioning of the system. Full-service operations and maintenance (O&M) support is also available to customers.
Platform
Ampt optimizers allow 1000-volt inverters to deliver full rated output power in 600-volt systems. Likewise, 1500-volt inverters achieve full rated output power in 1000-volt systems with Ampt. The result is a lower cost per watt inverter utilizing modern technology and a higher performing PV array. Ampt optimizers are also used to expand systems by adding more PV modules to the existing inverters while operating within specification. Ampt enables these “high DC ratio” systems to operate at DC/AC ratios of 2-to-1 or more to generate up to 70% more energy. Rosendin Electric provides the know-how and EPC services to customers to deploy high DC ratio systems using Ampt to maximize ROI.
Availability
July 2017, onwards in the US.