Sungrow’s Latest C&I Scale ESS Solutions For Europe

Sungrow, a leading Chinese provider of PV inverters and energy storage systems (ESS), participated in this year’s Intersolar Europe exhibition.

Andrea Polini, Senior Product Manager at Sungrow Europe, highlighted the company's latest commercial and industrial (C&I) scale energy storage solutions – liquid-cooled ESS PowerStack 255CS and SH125CX hybrid inverter – in a discussion with the TaiyangNews team. According to Polini, the company has more than 740 GW of PV + energy storage capacity worldwide.

C&I Application - PowerStack 255CS  

Addressing the needs of European C&I consumers, Sungrow’s PowerStack 255CS, equipped witch 314 Ah battery cells, offers a power output of up to 125 kW and 257 kWh of energy storage for up to 2 hours and 514 kWh for up to 4 hours. Its integrated AC block design boosts the system’s round-trip efficiency (RTE) to over 90%, enhances charge/discharge efficiency, and supports a product lifespan of up to 20 years. Regarding scalability, up to 25 power stacks can be paralleled.

In terms of protection, this UL9540- and NFPA 855/69/68/14-certified energy storage solution includes a range of safety features, such as thermal runaway prevention through advanced cell anomaly detection, multi-stage overcurrent protection, and a multi-layer early-stage aerosol-based fire detection system. Additionally, its comprehensive safety design incorporates fuse protection at the cabinet, rack, and pack levels, providing robust fire prevention and enhanced operational security. 

Designed to meet the operational needs of C&I customers, this solution supports various applications, including standalone energy storage, PV + storage integration, EV charging + storage, and microgrid systems, ensuring both grid stability and profitability. 

SH125CX hybrid inverter

Another highlight at the exhibition was the SH125CX, a hybrid inverter with a nominal output of 125 kW. It can be paired with the PowerStack 255CS to form a DC-coupled solution designed specifically for medium and large C&I applications. This 125 kW hybrid inverter, equipped with up to 10 MPPT channels, has a high maximum input current of 40 A per MPPT. In addition, it can connect up to 20 strings. It supports DC-to-AC ratios of up to 2.0, meeting the demands of the European C&I market.

The DC-coupled configuration helps reduce capital expenditure (CapEx) by minimizing the need for additional AC distribution components, standalone PV inverters, and external energy management systems. The system supports up to 24 units operating in parallel, achieving a combined maximum of 3 MW AC output and 6 MWh of energy storage capacity.

The SH125CX is also ideal for retrofitting, allowing existing PV inverters to be replaced with hybrid inverters in a single step, instantly converting the system into a power storage hub. Built to withstand tough environments, the inverter features an IP66 rating and C5-level anti-corrosion protection.

For enhanced safety, it includes Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter 3.0 (AFCI 3.0) technology, capable of detecting DC-side arc faults over cable lengths of up to 450 meters.