FIMER has released two new utility-scale string inverter products for both centralized and decentralized solar applications.

First, it’s debuting its decentralized utility-scale string inverter called the PVS-350. The inverter is optimized for PV system architectures with a maximum  efficiency of ɳ_MAX > 99% to ensure the highest energy yield. It also has the smallest footprint when compared to other similar products, and significantly reduces the risk of downtime that can occur with central inverters.

For centralized system architectures — which currently account for almost 40% of the market — FIMER is also launching PVS-260/PVS-300, a fully modular solution engineered with a single-MPPT string platform.

It can easily replace central inverters in more traditional designs, significantly improving performance and lowering BoP costs, optimizing the LCOE — achieving a 2.3% reduction on the LCOE of a modular conversion architecture compared to a central solution. It also has higher system availability, above 99.9% compared to 99.5% maximum from central solutions.

In addition, the PVS-260/PVS-300 has a large capacity combined with super-compact design single-MPPT power block, to enable system designers to keep a ‘centralized’ system architecture, if preferred. All power electronics are also concentrated nearby to the other critical AC power assets to simplify control and routine maintenance.

By combining the power modules in a factory pre-assembled and pretested MV station, the new platform can compete with multi-megawatt scale station designs of the latest central inverters, allowing system designers to apply the modular architecture to systems of any size.

The new platforms will also be easily able to integrate with future requirements for battery storage, providing a whole-system solution for the utility market now and in the future.

While the move away from central inverters to string technologies in the utility sector has increased over the past five years, FIMER recognizes that centralized architectures are still prevalent. That is why the company has developed the PVS-350 inverter and PVS-260/PVS-300 modular conversion platform to cater for both decentralized and centralized applications.

“With the utility sector predicted to grow significantly over the next few years, we wanted to offer a solution that maximizes ROI on both conventional system architectures and all other emerging system arrangements including storage, while maintaining the essential values of modularity,” said Maren Schmidt, managing director of FIMER’s utility line of business. “These unique-to-the-market solutions are truly ground-breaking platforms for the utility segment, as they are able to meet the needs of utility-scale customers now, as well as easily adapt to and integrate with technologies in the future.”

FIMER also plans to create a dedicated Research & Development Center in Italy for the utility segment.

News item from FIMER