What follows are the Top Solar Inverter Products for 2018. Each company is racing to reach the lowest levelized cost of electricity. Take a look at this year’s innovative products (listed alphabetically by company) within the solar inverter category (grouped by microinverters, string, central and hybrid inverters and MLPEs).
See the full list of the 2018 Top Solar Products here.
The QS1 from APsystems is a four-module, single phase microinverter for residential applications. It offers a 75% reduction in installation time, the highest peak output power, YC600 compatibility and up to 3-times faster data transmission speeds than conventional microinverters. A wider MPPT voltage range means a greater energy harvest for homeowners.
The powerful, cost effective CP-720 twin microinverter produces 720 watts (360 watts per module), is compatible with 60-, 72- and 96-cell panels, contains no electrolytic components, performs extremely well in heat, has a 25-year warranty and costs around $0.25 a watt.
Canadian Solar’s KTL-GS-125 is a highly-efficient (maximum efficiency of 99%, CEC efficiency of 98.5%) 125-kW three-phase string inverter. Its advanced thermal design uses fan-assisted cooling for the highest reliability. Wide MPPT range supports flexible string sizing. 0-90° installation angle. Also available in 25, 40, 50, and 66 kW.
The new CPS 1500VDC inverters are designed with maximum flexibility for utility-scale projects. Optimized for both centralized and distributed architectures, these inverters will perfectly fit in either configuration with options for basic centralized wireboxes or standard 20 string combiner wireboxes. These separable wireboxes provide easy installation and safe servicing.
Delta E series supports DC/AC-coupled battery systems for pure or PV-combined storage systems. E series has built-in EMS and supports self-consumption, zero export, TOU and off-grid modes with backup mode and dark start operation. With cloud technology, E series inverters support remote firmware upgrades, parameter modification and one button RMA.
Solis Single-Phase inverters come in 12 different kW models ranging from 2.5 kW to 10 kW. Solis leads the industry with up to four large (4,000 W), independent MPPTs, each offering the industry’s widest operating range, 90-500 Vdc, giving you maximum design flexibility.
HiQ’s UL-listed 3-phase 480V/208V 3rd-Generation TrueString inverter is bidirectional, with enhanced features and options aimed at applications from roof-tops to utility-scale storage installations. The product’s efficiency allows 10 kW, which also allows ease of installation at or on the array thus reducing BOS cost.
The blueplanet 125 TL3 is a string inverter for utility-scale solar power plants based on 1500-V technology. Unique in consistently using SiC semiconductors, it has been developed especially for operation in hot climates: it is the only inverter that enters a performance derating as high as 55 °C.
SMA’s PEAK3 inverter fulfills the need for flexibility, simplicity and performance in large-scale ground mount solar projects. The 1,500 VDC solution offers developers a cost-effective, modular building block that provides scalability while reducing balance-of-system and installation costs. It is available in two models: 125 kW/480 VAC and 150 kW/600 VAC.
The SolarEdge EV charging single phase inverter with HD-Wave technology offers homeowners the ability to charge electric vehicles up to six times faster than a standard level 1 charger through an innovative solar boost mode that utilizes grid and PV charging simultaneously. This product is the first EV-charging PV inverter.
The SOLECTRIA XGI 1000 is available in 50kW, 60kW and 65kW power levels with 4 MPPT zones to run in either independent or parallel mode. Designed, engineered and assembled in the United States, the XGI offers the highest level of qualified components to ensure maximum uptime and decreased LCOE.
SMA’s Utility Power Rack (UPR) 5000/5500 is the ideal building block for large-scale PV plants. The highly integrated, turnkey solution affords up to 40% integration cost savings over alternative solutions. It offers 1,500 V technology and is compatible with both Sunny Central and Sunny Central Storage 2500-EV(-US) and 2750-EV(-US) inverters.
This SC2500U-MV inverter uses advanced three-level technology with the maximum efficiency of 98.8%. Its design allows for flexible battery configurations, simple transportation/installation and easy O&M; it complies with UL1741, UL1741 SA, IEEE1547 and California Rule 21. The applications include peak shaving, energy shifting, frequency regulation and capacity firming.
With an international record of exceeding customer expectations, Solis brings its award-winning High-Voltage Hybrid Inverter platform to the U.S. The Solis Hybrid has six models ranging from the industry exclusive 5 kW to 10 kW grid-tie output, all featuring safety components and dynamic MPPTs to ensure maximum ROI.
The Multiwave high-frequency inverter has an all-new design combining the light weight, agility and efficiency of a high-frequency inverter with the stability and surge capability of a low-frequency one. MultiWave will reduce installation time and, with no cooling fans needed, and greatly improve system reliability.
The Pika X7600 is able to connect and manage solar generation, battery storage and local loads—on-grid or off—with a flexible design that allows for the integration of multiple batteries and over-sized arrays, on-grid or off-grid.
The Sunny Boy Storage 3.8-US/5.0-US/6.0-US offers intelligent residential energy storage and management. Using AC coupled architecture, the inverter provides a simple, flexible platform for new and existing PV systems that is compatible with high-voltage battery manufacturers. Up to three high-voltage batteries can be connected to a single Sunny Boy Storage-US.
Sol-Ark’s 8K Hybrid Battery/Grid Inverter is made with award-winning engineering. It has 96.5% CEC efficiency on-grid and 95.5% off-grid. Sol-Ark 8K uses 5 to 15% less solar, 5 to 20% less battery and 25% lower cost electronics than others; 8KW/20KWpk power with Auto-gen start; simple color touchscreen interface with monitoring; grid sell, zero export and time-of-use modes.
The Eco Intelligent Battery System is a grid-friendly residential solar+storage solution designed to maximize the homeowner’s investment while driving long-term grid stability. Operation modes offer the flexibility of off-setting TOU rates, reducing home energy costs and providing a secure source of back-up power.
The Alencon String Power Optimizer and Transmitter—the SPOT Version 6—is the latest version of Alencon’s string level DC-DC optimizer. The SPOT V6 includes a number of improvements, including improved thermal performance allowing it to achieve higher power ratings and a lower cents-per-watt cost.
The TS4-R-F (Fire Safety) retrofit unit is a module-level power electronics solution that provides rapid shutdown only. The TS4-R-F is the quickest, most cost-effective way for installers to achieve compliance with NEC 2017 690.12 module-level shutdown requirements, which will be required by January 1, 2019.