WattPower, a PV string inverter manufacturer with a 10 GW annual production capacity in Chennai, India, showcased the commercially available string inverter models at the REI Expo 2024.
During a brief interaction with TaiyangNews, Pavit Gandhi, Director - Sales of WattPower, provided a short description of the company and its smart PV string inverter at the show. To date, the company has shipped 8.5 GW of inverters, a figure expected to reach 14 GW by March 2025. Claimed to be the largest utility-scale PV string inverter supplier in India, the company promoted its WP-330KTL-H1 series smart string inverter, suitable for utility-scale installations, at the event.
Utility smart PV solution
The WP-330KTL-H1 series 3-phase smart string inverter, featuring 6 MPPT channels of maximum DC carrying capacity of up to 65 A, can withstand a DC system voltage of up to 1.5 kV. Each MPPT channel, having an operating voltage range between 500 V and 1,500 V, can accommodate 5 input PV strings, except for 2 channels, which are limited to 4 inputs each. This inverter can deliver a nominal AC active power of up to 275 kW, and at power factor 1, the maximum AC output power can reach up to 330 kW.
On the protection and safety front, this inverter has multiple features for both the DC and AC sides. The DC side protection features are type-II surge arrester, insulation resistance detection, reverse polarity protection, PV-array string fault monitoring, and smart-string level disconnector (SSLD). According to the company, the SSLD feature, which intelligently disconnects individual strings with the help of connected temperature sensors to each connector, can be valuable for solar developers for efficient asset management. On the AC side, the protection functions are type-II surge arrester, anti-islanding, AC overcurrent, residual current monitoring, and AC grounding fault protection. This IP66-rated string inverter, measuring 1,048 x 732 x 395 mm, weighs up to 112 kg. It supports various communication protocols, including USB, MODBUS, and RS485, for seamless integration with multiple inverters and 3rd party equipment. Additionally, this inverter, equipped with a small display board of LED indicators, can convey the operating status.