SMA and SolarEdge gear up for the storage boom, GoodWe launches a new range of residential inverters, and Yingli makes a strategic play in Thailand.
SMA announces Tesla-compatible inverter aimed at battery retrofit market
German inverter manufacturer SMA has announced the Sunny Boy Storage, a new high-voltage battery-compatible inverter for residential applications.
SMA says the device was designed especially for high-voltage batteries like the Tesla Powerwall, and offers an easy and flexible solution for retrofitting batteries to existing PV systems.
“SMA is the only provider that can currently offer an AC-coupled system for high-voltage batteries,” said Volker Wachenfeld, Head of the Off-Grid and Storage business unit at SMA.
“This means, the storage system operates in parallel with the PV system, making it possible to easily and cost-effectively integrate battery storage systems into existing PV installations, while also flexibly enhancing the storage system. The reason for this is that with an AC-coupled storage solution it is not necessary to touch the PV system.”
The first systems will be available in Germany from March, with an Australian launch to follow later in 2016.
SolarEdge storage solution now available in Australia
Israel-based PV inverter company SolarEdge has launched its new StorEdge storage solution in Australia and around the world.
Compatible with Tesla’s Powerwall, StorEdge is a DC-coupled storage solution based on a single inverter that manages and monitors solar energy generation, consumption and storage.
StorEdge also supports time-of-use management, which promotes energy consumption when electric demand from the grid is low (off-peak rates) and lower consumption when demand is high (peak rates). The backup function allows owners to store solar energy and use it during power outages.
Last year, SolarEdge launched its new HD-Wave technology, which will be available in Australia by mid-2016.
GoodWe launches new single-phase inverters for residential use
Solar inverter manufacturer GoodWe has announced a new single-phase inverter range, the D-NS series.
The new D-NS series includes four models – 3 kW, 3.6 kW, 4.2 kW and 5 kW.
According to the manufacturer, the new range has higher power density than the current DS range, with less current harmonic distortion and higher impedance adaptation. The size and weight of the entire machine has also decreased, with the new units weighing just 14 kg.
GoodWe says the D-NS series is specially configured for homes with complex roofs, allowing solar installers to maximise system size and energy production within limited roof areas.
The D-NS series will be available to order from February 2016.
Yingli to build major new PV factory in Thailand
Yingli Solar, the world’s second largest solar PV manufacturer, has announced a 300 MW solar panel manufacturing facility in Thailand. The facility will be Yingli’s first factory outside of China, allowing the company to cater to the emerging markets in Southeast Asia – and potentially to sidestep US import duties on Chinese solar products.
The new solar panel factory is a joint venture with Demeter Power, a Thailand-based renewable energy developer.
The new factory will be based in Rayong, southeast of Bangkok, and will have an annual capacity of 300 MW of PV panels, which will be sold under the Yingli Solar brand name.
The facility is expected to begin operating in the second half of 2016.