Israel-headquartered solar PV inverter manufacturer SolarEdge Technologies has launched what it says is the latest version of the company's SolarEdge Home Hub and Wave inverters that are compatible with larger PV systems. The offering is exclusive to the US market.
It says these inverters consist of an integrated power control system (PCS) to enable larger PV installations without any additional main panel upgradation.
According to the manufacturer, the updated inverters will enable the installation of PV systems that are more than 50% larger than those allowed by the US National Electrical Code 120% rule without the need for main panel upgradation. According to this rule, the combined amperage of 125% of the max continuous AC inverter output and the main service breaker rating cannot exceed 120% of the main service panel's rated capacity. In simple terms, the combined amperage of your solar power and grid electricity cannot exceed 120% of your main service panel's rated capacity.
TaiyangNews did the calculation to understand that US residential electricity consumers with a 200 A main service panel can install a PV inverter with up to 7.68 kW output. SolarEdge claims that its PCS-integrated Home Hub and Wave inverters can enable such a home to install up to 3x 11.4 kW SolarEdge inverters, sans a main panel upgrade (MPU), thus simplifying installation and commissioning along with savings on CapEx.
Additionally, the PCS can dynamically monitor, balance, and control the currents on the main panel busbar by connecting only one current transformer. The Israeli manufacturer explains that the SolarEdge DC-coupled architecture enables up to 200% DC oversizing and storage of excess PV in the SolarEdge Home DC-coupled battery.
Currently, the manufacturer offers SolarEdge Home Hub and Wave Inverters in single and 3-phase versions, for the European, USA, and Southeast Asian markets.
"With the new SolarEdge inverters, installers will be able to offer their customers bigger PV systems while avoiding main panel upgrades, significantly improving the economics of PV and battery storage across the US," stated SolarEdge CEO Zvi Lando.
The company is demonstrating the new products at RE+ and said it will start taking orders for the same by the end of 2023.