GE has brought onto the market a 1 MW solar inverter that will be the largest in its portfolio. It is available in 50-and 60-Hz and is intended to enhance grid reliability.
Like the company’s existing 700 kW solar inverter, the new product is based on the established power converter technology that GE uses for its global fleet of wind turbines. They are said to include grid-friendly features that deliver performance in large-scale solar installations similar to conventional power plants.
“As the demand for cleaner energy continues to grow in the United States and around the world, we expect to see an increase in the number of larger, multi-megawatt solar installations,” said Bruce Norman, general manager, solar technologies for GE Power & Water. “As renewable energy penetration increases, so too will the challenge to effectively integrate these larger solar projects into the grid. Our solar inverter technology is designed to tackle the issue of grid reliability, which is critical to the future growth of the solar industry.”
•Solar inverters are key components in a solar power system that convert DC power generated by solar panels into usable AC. To ensure that solar power plants stay online during grid disturbances, GE’s inverters include control functions that enhance integration. To meet evolving grid codes in the wind industry, the GE suite of solar plant monitoring and controls can manage voltage in anticipation of future regulations.
