Hopewind’s utility string inverter can provide up to 350 kW of power at up to 45°C ambient temperature, without derating
Its discrete power semiconductor-based power conversion architecture mitigates the risk of lengthy shutdown lead times due to the ongoing global supply chain disruptions
These inverters are commercially available and in mass production
Hopewind, a Chinese manufacturer of power conversion equipment across PV, wind, ESS, VFD, and hydrogen sectors, has recently improved the performance of its 350 kW (3-phase) string inverter, designed for ground-mounted utility PV applications.
Chief among the product’s key features, the company emphasizes the adoption of power modules, designed on a distributed architecture. These are equipped with discrete semiconductor devices, such as diodes, transistors, and IGBTs, rather than standard integrated circuits (ICs). The standard power modules, which convert the incoming DC voltage (PV capacity) to the rated DC-bus voltage and then invert DC to AC, act as a centralized power conversion device. These multi-stage conversions with a certain power loss at each step, in conjunction with environmental temperature, raise the inverter’s internal temperature to a certain extent. Beyond a threshold, its in-built controller derates the nominal power rating in a staggered manner to a maximum operating temperature before shutdown. This safety feature protects the underlying power electronics switching devices and ensures long-term lifecycles. The company states that the distributed nature of the discrete semiconductor devices in its latest string inverter allows uniform temperature distribution across components compared to centralized alternatives. This attribute leads to a reduction of up to 10% in peak component temperature, beyond which the inverter starts to derate. The company claims it translates into a power gain of up to 10% relative to mainstream counterparts in extreme environmental conditions, such as deserts.
Hopewind cites an operational temperature vs. capacity derating curve, which shows the inverter delivers 350 kW of power up to 45°C, with a maximum power of 385 kW achievable at 40°C under different DC-bus voltages – 860 V, 1,080 V, and 1,300 V. In addition to improved thermal management, this inverter, featuring 8 MPPT channels – each supporting up to 4 strings – sectionalizes high-power PV modules in complex undulated terrains and offers installation flexibility for developers.
In terms of safety and reliability, its IP66-rated enclosure with C5-rated anti-corrosion coating ensures stable operations under harsh environmental conditions, like salty and humid coastal regions. Equipped with surge protection devices on both AC and DC sides, the system is protected against potential lightning surge voltages during thunderstorms. The string inverter supports seamless synchronization with a remote or unstable grid having a short-circuit-ratio (SCR) of up to 1.03. It also has the ability to form its own grid in the absence of a utility grid. Meanwhile, the latest inverters’ discrete semiconductor devices offer replacement or repair flexibility rather than replacing a whole power module during faults or shutdown. Hopewind argues that this attribute mitigates the risks of limited availability of essential components, driven by the ongoing global supply chain disruptions.
Hopewind’s 350 kW string inverters, which were awarded by the China Power Supply Society (CPSS), are commercially available and in mass production.
