Silicon Valley-based Northern Electric Power Technology (NEP) has released a new 500-W microinverter. The company is calling it a “macroinverter” since it is able to handle the power capacity of large-format modules.
As PV panel makers introduce new panels leaping to well over 500 W, the solar industry requires inverter technology innovators to keep up. Such panels, originally optimized for utility applications, are also expected to eventually be used in commercial and residential applications.
“The Macroinverter is a convenient and cost effective building block to pair with these advanced PV panels. We anticipate creative uses of these products on new commercial and residential applications,” said Ed Heacox, CEO of NEP.
“The industry norm has been to tolerate clipping energy harvest with inverters that do not have the capacity to keep up with panel energy generation. At NEP we are innovating to reduce this waste by driving power performance to keep up,” said Jing Wang, Co-Founder of NEP.
The Macroinverter is available to order from NEP and leading distributors globally. Production shipments began this month. Pricing in the United States is approximately $169 per unit depending on volume. MC4 DC connectors are standard and NEP will offer other brand options to support NEC 2020 compliance. Warranty options range from 10 to 25 years.
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