Houston-based American Electric Technologies, Inc. today announced the introduction of two new models in their 1000 Volt, Integrated Solar Inversion Station (ISIS) product line. Utilizing the industrys first 1.0 MW solar inverter architecture witness-tested to UL 1741 at 1000 volts, the new 1.5 MW ISIS inversion system with the new 38 kV utility interconnect system enables optimization of DC and AC solar performance while meeting ANSI C.37 codes and NFPA safety requirements.
The ability to run solar farms at 1000 volts versus traditional 600 volt farm designs with the new 1.5 MW UL1741 platform and 38 kV interconnect system enables utility-scale project developers to implement DC and AC designs at the highest voltage levels, thus reducing Balance of Systems cabling costs and power losses from the PV panel through the grid connection point. ISIS also reduces field installation labor costs by incorporating all key solar inverter elements into a skidded, pre-commissioned, factory built, NEMA 3R outdoor platform.
Utility-scale solar developers, owners, operators and financers have realized significant project cost/watt reductions through lower PV panel price drops. The next front to reduce solar Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) is reducing Balance of System costs, said Charles Dauber, AETI President and Chief Executive Officer. Our industry-leading experience deploying multi-megawatt power conversion systems for the energy industry enables the largest utility-scale solar projects to dramatically reduce both DC and AC cabling and installation costs by using a 1000 volt solar arrays in an integrated 1.5 MW inversion block interconnected with 38 kV collection grids.
AETIs ISIS 1000 volt product line now includes both 1.0 MW and 1.5 MW solar inversion platforms as inverter-only solutions, or as integrated solutions with a medium voltage 15 kV or 38 kV class step-up transformer and utility interconnect systems. All ISIS inverters incorporate a master combiner, a DC and AC disconnect switching system, and the inverter system in a NEMA 3R enclosure. ISIS assures successful grid integration by incorporating the worlds widest power factor compensation capabilities for on-demand FERC 661A voltage regulation. ISIS continues to lead the solar industry with the highest UL 1741 witness-tested PV open circuit voltage and input current levels that results in capturing up to 15 percent more watts per string, while operating with the widest ambient temperature range from -40°C to 60°C.
Wind farm developers and EPCs moving into solar have experience in deploying 38 kV farm collection systems that reduce AC cabling losses and costs, explained Dauber. Our 38 kV integrated solar inversion system now enables financiers to realize improved solar return on investment with the added assurance of meeting NFPA 70E safety standards, said Dauber.
AETI will showcase the ISIS 1000 volt UL 1741-tested solar inversion station with the new 38 kV utility interconnection system at the upcoming Solar Power International Conference (SPI 2011) from October 18-20 in Dallas, TX at the Dallas Convention Center, booth 6872.
