Enecsys Limited has announced UL 1741 certification for three more products in its family of micro inverters. This follows certification of the SMI-S200W-60, a 200 Watt unit, in January 2011. The SMI-S240W-60 and SMI-S240W-72 are 240 Watt, single micro inverters for 60 cell and 72 cell solar modules.

Also certified is the SMI-D360W-72, a 360 Watt Duo product for 72 cell solar modules. The Enecsys Duo converts the DC input from two solar modules, with maximum power point tracking for both modules, into a single, grid-compliant AC output. This Duo micro inverter enables solar system costs to be reduced so that there is no cost premium over systems that utilize string inverters.

Enecsys micro inverters are based on a patented design that eliminates the need for life-limiting components, such as electrolytic capacitors and opto-couplers. With an ambient temperature range of -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C, Enecsys products are the only micro inverters capable of matching both the performance and more than 25-year service life of solar modules.

The products are supplied with a 20-year warranty that is unique in being applicable over the entire operating temperature range, demonstrating their high reliability under real world operating conditions. Enecsys adopts industry-standard test methods including HALT and HTOL to assess reliability and the micro inverters are also subjected to thermal cycling to IEC61215, the same tests applied to solar modules.

Peak efficiency is 94% for the SMI-S240W-60 and SMI-S240W-72, and 95% for the Enecsys Duo SMI-D360W-72. All models are housed in a compact, NEMA 6 rated enclosure measuring 262mm x 160mm x 35mm and weighing 4 lbs (1.8 Kg). The micro inverters also meet CE, EN 62109 and EN 6100-6 safety and EMC standards.

Depending on the environmental conditions and system configuration, solar PV installations with Enecsys micro inverters harvest 5% to 20% more energy over the life of the system.

The AC outputs of micro inverters are connected in parallel, so each solar module becomes an independent AC power generator. When solar modules are mismatched or when a module, or part of a module, has its output reduced due to shading or debris build-up on the surface, there are no dramatic reductions in energy harvest. This is one of the most common problems with series-connected solar modules in string inverter systems.

In addition, micro inverters make systems easier to design and install, improve safety by eliminating dangerous high voltage DC wiring, and enable roof space utilization to be maximized because modules can be used on any plane and with any orientation.

Every Enecsys micro inverter contains a robust, built-in wireless communication system, which provides system performance information down to the level of individual solar modules and connects to the Internet via the Enecsys Gateway. The Enecsys wireless communication system uses the international Zigbee standard. This is more reliable than the powerline communications found in many other micro inverters because it is unaffected by grid-related interference.

Enecsys CEO, Henrik Raunkjaer, commented, "The notion that micro inverters are a true alternative to string inverters is now well established in North America, and the many benefits of micro inverters are appreciated by installers and consumers. Over the coming months and years, customers will have a growing choice of micro inverter suppliers and they will become more discerning when it comes to choosing products that match the performance and service life of solar modules.

"Only Enecsys micro inverters are warranted over the same temperature range as solar modules, reflecting their outstanding reliability in real world conditions. This will have great appeal to both consumers and installers in reducing the inconvenience and costs associated with system maintenance."

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