Single vs Distributed Inverters? [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

David,

Most German customers prefer SMA string inverters because they are
German-made, a recognized brand, reliable and contractors can do a quick
swap-out thanks to SMA's fast replacement of failed units. Fast swap-out is
important to the customer to keep their kWh revenue flowing in. Contractors
include call-backs and swap-outs as the cost of doing business. On the
other hand, SMA and other central inverters are becoming very popular for
100 kW and larger systems.

We did a 400 kW system in LA with 76 SMA inverters on half the array and 2
Xantrex 100 kW inverters on the other half. I prefer a large reliable
inverter vs. several smaller inverters (engineering parsimony). More
inverters mean more call-backs. Inverter MTBF is in the range of 5 to 10
years. See excellent review of inverter technology at
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy06osti/38771.pdf

Joel Davidson

Original Message:
-----------------
From: David Blecker blecker at seventhgenergy.org
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2006 23:24:02 -0500
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Single vs Distributed Inverters? [RE-wrenches]



Wrenches,

We're trying to design our first large PV system - 40kW grid-tied, 
roof-mount, 208V grid - and we're wrestling with the inverter 
selection.  I've seen traffic on this list with seemingly split 
opinions as to go with a single large inverter or to use multiple 
parallel smaller inverters.  So, anyone care to re-open that thread 
and share your opinions and experiences?

Thanks in advance.  Hope to see all you at the Energy Fair! www.the-mrea.org

-David



----------
David Blecker, PE
Seventh Generation Energy Systems, Inc.
Ph:  608-467-1518
Cell: 608-335-3375
Fax: 866-762-7496 (toll-free)
Web: www.seventhGenergy.org

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