pv magazine Webinar | Central vs. String Inverters: Myth & Reality

Initiative partner: Sungrow

A few years ago, utility-scale solar arrays were designed with central inverters and block sizes of several megawatts. At the time, it was unquestioned that large central inverters were more efficient in terms of DC to AC conversion, and they also delivered better economics. That was, until high-power string inverter made their way into the utility-sector.

Connecting anything between 100-250 kW, these inverters are small enough to be installed by a small crew without large machinery required. Also, should there ever be a failure, it is easy to swap them for a new one, which would ideally be stored onsite for that reason. Today, string inverters are on par with central inverters when it comes to market share in the utility-scale.

Does that mean string inverters will continue their rapid sales increase and progressively push central inverters out of the market? Our initiative partner Sungrow does not think so. The inverter manufacturer has both technology solutions in its offering.

In this upcoming pv magazine Webinar, Jeremy Powell, key account manager with Sungrow UK will explain how plant layout and design should inform the choice of inverter technology. Powell has well over ten years of experience with various tier one inverter manufacturers and has witnessed a range of changing market trends in the renewable energy industry. Depending on a variety of factors, no one solution fits all.

Joined by his colleague Panos Kamperidis, product manager at Sungrow UK, who also boasts over ten years of experience in the solar industry, the two will present two case studies to explore the various conditions that benefit either technology choice.

One site has a clear economic preference for central inverters while the other is better off with string inverters. They differ in their location, mounting structure type, and DC/AC ratio, among other system specs to consider. The juxtaposition of the two projects will also include discussion and analysis of the associated CAPEX and OPEX costs that come with either decision.

Join this pv magazine Webinar to find out which inverter suits your needs best.

pv magazine Webinar content:
• Strings vs. Centrals: Topic presentation and industry practice overview
• Case Study 1 (Centrals best fit)
• Case Study 2 (Strings best fit)
• A CAPEX and OPEX comparison of both technologies
• Key decision driving factors
• Sungrow’s position – Conclusions

Questions can be submitted beforehand or during the webinar through a chat window. Marian Willuhn, editor at pv magazine, will be the moderator of this webinar.

For more information on pv magazine Webinars, please visit https://www.pv-magazine.com/webinars/

Registration for our webinars is free of charge.

This webinar was recorded on 23 July 2020.