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Suntech Tests National's SolarMagic Technology

June 4, 2009 | 1 Comment

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California, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] National Semiconductor Corp. and Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to evaluate National Semiconductor's SolarMagic technology with the intention of jointly promoting the technology and developing future solutions.

SolarMagic power optimizers received the prestigious Intersolar Award 2009 in the Photovoltaics category.

National's SolarMagic power optimizers use distributed electronics throughout a solar installation to recoup energy lost due to real-world conditions such as shade, debris and panel mismatch. National developed SolarMagic technology to improve the energy harvest of solar arrays. Because of the characteristics of solar modules, real-world conditions - caused by shading from trees, chimneys or power lines; debris such as leaves or dirt, and panel aging - can lead to disproportionate power losses.

The company also announced that field trials of the product at HaWi Energietechnik AG of Eggenfelden/Munich, Germany showed that SolarMagic power optimizers recouped 54.4 percent of energy lost to partial shading in a solar array. The field trial was conducted April through May 2009.

In tests conducted at HaWi's facility in Eggenfelden/Munich, a structure representing obstructions shaded a portion of a conventionally wired solar photovoltaic system. Although 16 percent to 20 percent of the array was shaded, it resulted in average power losses of nearly 28 percent. However, an identical solar array fitted with National's SolarMagic power optimizers produced on average between 7 percent and 21 percent more electricity in the same conditions, effectively recouping 54.4 percent of the lost power.

In addition to the field trial results, National announced that HaWi is an official distribution partner for SolarMagic power optimizers in Germany, the largest solar market in the world.

SolarMagic power optimizers received the prestigious Intersolar Award 2009 in the Photovoltaics category. A panel of experts appointed by the organizers of the Intersolar exhibition, together with the German Solar Industry Association, selected National's SolarMagic for the award. They noted the SolarMagic power optimizers' success in maximizing the energy output of solar arrays when affected by real-world conditions.

Earlier in the week National Semiconductor and SunEdison LLC, announced that they are conducting field trials in California using National Semiconductor's SolarMagic power optimizers.

For more on SolarMagic technology, check out RenewableEnergyWorld.com's REInsider, "Shade Happens," by Ralf J. Muenster of National Semiconductor.

Solar Energy

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Anonymous

June 8, 2009

"Although 16 percent to 20 percent of the array was shaded, it resulted in average power losses of nearly 28 percent."

"However, an identical solar array fitted with National's SolarMagic power optimizers produced on average between 7 percent and 21 percent more electricity in the same conditions,"

Herr Münster,

why is there a range of 'average' power results for the SolarMagic fitted solution, while there is only a single figure for the system not fitted with SolarMagic?

54.4% of lossed pwer recovered is for the case of 28% reduction in power due to shading (not nearly 28%) and 21% recovery from there. If the average icrease due to SolarMagic varies from 7 to 21%, depending on unspecified conditions, and therefore unspecified test time fraction, the additional energy recovered over the test will be considerably less than 54.4%.

I suspect that the 28% reduction is for similar conditions to the 7% figure increase with SolarMagic, resulting in a more modest 18% of power reduction recovered.

I'm sure the readers of this site would be very enthusiastic to see more detailed results from the trail, so we can learn more about this technology and its advantages. Less in this case, is not more.

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