The 2MW system is designed to reduce installation costs

PRINCETON, N.J.--Princeton Power Systems announces the development of a 2MW inverter for the Department of Energy's (DOE) SunShot Incubator program. The newly designed six-port inverter reduces the overall cost of solar installations and balance of systems components to help the DOE achieve its goal of a $1.00/watt total installed cost of solar.

Two DC ports were added to the inverter to make it a six DC port 2MW inverter, designed to contribute to the SunShot's initiative to reduce solar energy system costs in order to increase widespread adoption of renewable energy technology. The use of six DC ports creates an advantage over other systems as it eliminates the need for multiple inverters and transformers, thus meeting the goal to reduce installation and wiring costs.

"Typically a system of this size would require several different parts such as multiple inverters, separate transformers, and disconnects," said Executive Vice President, Darren Hammell. "What we have managed to develop is an inverter that incorporates energy storage capabilities with an integrated high-frequency transformer, merging the power and capability of six inverters into one enclosure," he adds.

In addition to having six ports, the 2MW inverter offers direct 13.8kV grid connection without the use of a 60Hz isolation transformer. A small and efficient high-frequency transformer is integrated directly into the box, taking the place of a bulky step-up transformer as an addition to the system. The inverter incorporates energy storage capabilities with an integrated high-frequency nano-crystaline transformer for a consistent power flow.

The development of the 2MW smart inverter leverages platform technologies in the recently released Demand Response Inverter product line, designed specifically to integrate smart inverter features and functions with advanced batteries in distributed generation applications.