Unisolar approves transformerless inverters from Sputnik Engineering for its thin-film modules

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Unisolar
has officially approved transformerless inverters from Sputnik
Engineering for use with its products. With immediate effect, all
amorphous thin-film modules from Unisolar – both branded and OEM
products – can be combined with SolarMax products from Swiss inverter
manufacturer Sputnik Engineering without further approval procedures.

The question of whether transformerless inverters are suitable for combination with thin-film modules has long been the subject of discussion. In addition, solar modules made from amorphous silicon tend to degrade over the first few months, with output and voltage initially increasing. The system must be designed in such a way as to ensure that the increased initial voltage does not damage the inverter.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Sputnik Engineering AG has been able to evaluate the effect of this voltage increase using its MaxDesign system visualisation software. The software offers the option of calculating limit values with stabilised end values or initial voltages.

“Transformerless inverters from Sputnik Engineering AG have been operating successfully with Unisolar’s amorphous silicon modules since 2005,” reports Stefan Burri, Sputnik’s Head of Technical Sales Support. However, installers have until now had to combine the products at their own risk as Unisolar had not officially approved this practice. “Their official approval offers clarity and safety,” adds Burri. Galvanically-separated central inverters from Sputnik Engineering AG have been approved for use with Unisolar modules for several years.

Sputnik Engineering AG focuses on the development, sales and maintenance of inverters for grid-connected PV systems.

Read Next

September 3, 2025
LONGi, Jinko Solar, Trina Solar and JA Solar posted combined net losses of nearly RMB11 billion (US$1.54 billion) in H1 2025.
September 2, 2025
Q Energy has reached financial close for Taurus B, a portfolio of seven solar PV plants in Spain with a combined capacity of 251.71MWp.
September 2, 2025
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) will build a pilot solar cell line in Germany to support US manufacturer Talon PV’s efforts to establish solar cell capacity in the US.
September 2, 2025
Spanish construction firm GES (Global Energy Services) has secured a contract to build a roughly 700MW solar-wind-storage hybrid project in Chile.
September 2, 2025
Ingeteam has supplied its INGECON SUN 3Power Series C liquid-cooled central PV inverters for a 640MW solar PV plant in Texas.
September 2, 2025
SMA Solar has forecast financial losses and further restructuring measures in 2025, as it responds to falling sales and a “challenging” market for residential and commercial renewable energy installations.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines