National Semiconductor's SolarMagic System Receives Worldwide Compliance Certifications

So, the big boys are in the market with an application specific off the shelf product!

Looking at the website - this is a maximum peak power tracker for each panel/module which boost or buck/boost converts onto a DC bus for each string. Strings are then "active diode ored" together to combine their output current at a regulated voltage. Standard concepts, packaged in an installation ready mass product. I suspect a few niche companies will be hit by this, but optimised PV output will come cheaper to the masses as a result.

I haven't seen their projected cost per watt of PV (stc) or their efficiency numbers, but this could be a nice boost in productivity for certain PV systems. Dust is usually fairly evenly distributed accross the whole array, so that won't be a big improvement (despite the marketting implications). Individual modules rarely perform worse than their bretherin, so the same for this marketted advantage. The real advantage is in circumstances with significant hard shading, which most installations (particularly large ones) manage to avoid. A similar (but less complete) strategy was tried by Sharp with their string inverter containing three separate maximum power point tracking circuits converting to a common DC output voltage to feed a single large inverter. Sharp found little market for their more expensive inverter and is no longer in production. Magnatek (Aurora Brand) inverters do the same thing for two strings and is still in production. NSC takes this a step further using MPPT on each module (as well as the whole string?) improving the benefits under hard shadows. This is similar to the use of micro-inverters such as the Enphase which also do MPPT on a module by module basis and imediately convert to the service AC voltage configuration. I wonder how the costs and efficiencies compare.

Just this week was asking how many PV's, a company in North East of England could supply me with. Could have roughly 200kW per week, or 1MW per month.
Talking with my financier on Tuesday, he said " Could go up to
£30,000,000 if client was well known, with good credit rating". The client is large waste company in London, with local councils. Due to visit on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Just need to confirm that the companies CEO will be there.

The site has a lot of roofs facing South, South East, or South West. No problem if any US companies, have any PV's spare, would consider importing up to 1 MW per week, or 4 MW per month.

Regards John Gregson 07772 427 761 or 07796 533 460
Director Bamford Group and shareholder.