SMA Solar Launches 40-ft Skid-Based Power Station

PV inverter and storage solution provider, SMA Solar Technology AG, has launched its latest turnkey Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS-9200), targeting large-scale utility PV plus battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Central Europe. 

According to the company, it combines 2 inverters, 2 transformers, and 1 switchgear chamber in a 40-foot skidtainer, an enclosure built on a structural skid base. The culmination of 2 energy converters in a single turnkey unit results in a range of 2× power output (AC) of 5,860 MW to 9,200 MW. It also simplifies the system design and installation for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) players and project developers compared to standard 20-foot MVPS. Equipped with SUNNY CENTRAL UP series central inverters, placed along the left and right-most corners of the skidtainer and each with a rated capacity of up to 4,600 kVA, the power station serves 1,500 V (DC) level grid-tied utility PV projects. For BESS projects, the power station features 2 SUNNY CENTRAL STORAGE UP or SUNNY CENTRAL UP-S series inverters. While the former offers a power output of up to 3,960 kW (AC), the latter, featuring SiC-based converters, delivers a higher maximum output of 4,600 kW with reduced energy losses. The company states that this configuration matches standard 2.5 MW/5 MWh containerized BESS in 2-hour and 4-hour charging/discharging configurations. While the 2-hour storage configuration connects with 4 BESSs (2.5 MW/5 MWh), the longer-duration (4-hour) alternative supports 8 BESSs (2.5 MW/5 MWh). Apart from the performance and installation flexibility, the MVPS’s switchgear section, featuring 4 individual medium-voltage feeders, allows maintenance of 1 section (left or right) with 50% availability of operational power.  

These systems are manufactured in Europe and are commercially available.