Low Weight, Low Cost Commercial-Scale Photovoltaic Inverter

Photovoltaic (PV) module costs have dropped significantly in the past few years, while only modest cost reductions have been realized in Balance-of-Systems (BOS) costs, which includes both non-module hardware costs and installation costs. The industry is recognizing that installed PV system costs, once dominated by PV modules costs, will be increasingly dominated by BOS costs'' One approach to reduce BOS costs is to simplify installation and standardize system designs. This is particularly required in commercial-scale PV installations, the largest market segment, due to installation challenges with large existing buildings. Ideal Power Converters is developing a low weight, low cost commercial-scale PV inverter that can offer system designers and installers a new solution to simplify installation and lower BOS costs in an increasingly price sensitive market.