Disruptive Technologies Affecting the PV Industry, Microinverters and DC-DC Solutions: Economic Factors, Application Drivers, Architecture/Packaging Trends, Technology and Regulatory Developments - First Edition

Disruptive Technologies Affecting the PV Industry, Microinverters and DC-DC Solutions: Economic Factors, Application Drivers, Architecture/Packaging Trends, Technology and Regulatory Developments - First Edition published by Darnell Group, Inc. in December, 2009. This report consists of 75 Pages and the price starts from US $ 2700.

Introduction

Abstract

Topics covered include:

• Application Segments
• Alternative Energy Technologies
• Recent Developments in the Photovoltaics Industry
• Architectural and Technology Trends and Developments
• Business Trends and Developments
• Cost Dynamics of Photovoltaic Power
• Cost Dynamics of Disruptive PV Inverter Technology
• Policy and Regulatory Framework for Development
• Competitive Environment

The emergence of disruptive power architectures including microinverters and dc-dc converters will be one of the most important trends in the photovoltaic (PV) market in the near-term. The shortcomings inherent in today' s central inverter architecture are expected to provide a host of opportunities for several new technologies. In fact, there are a growing number of companies developing products and technology specifically designed to generate more power from the PV panels already on the market. A distributed inverter architecture using either of two specific disruptive technologies, microinverters or dc-dc solutions, are expected to present a significant challenge to the conventional central inverter architecture over the coming years.

Among the areas covered in our latest analysis are the technology, architecture and packaging trends affecting the industry, as well as a thorough discussion of new and emerging technologies and materials, applications, potential threats and the latest regulatory developments and standards.

Over 25 illustrations are presented depicting a variety of inverter system architectures, schematics and comparisons, technologies, product introductions, packaging solutions, efficiency standards and other relevant information. The focus of this comprehensive analysis provides decision makers with a detailed and insightful look into the current and future opportunities and threats available in the disruptive technology area of microinverters and dc-dc solutions.

Table of Contents

• Introduction 4
• Application Segments 6
• Alternative Energy Technologies 6
  • The Current Photovoltaic Market 6
• Recent Developments in the Photovoltaic Industry 8
  • Increase in the Production of PV Modules and Capacity 8
  • Changing Cost Dynamics in the PV Module Industry 10
• Architectural & Technology Trends and Developments 11
  • Current PV Inverter Architecture and Technology 11
  • Opportunities for New Technologies 13
  • Microinverter Architectures 14
  • Architectures Using DC-DC Solutions 20
  • Communications/Monitoring Systems 26
  • Building Integrated PV 28
  • PV Shading 32
  • Microgrids 36
  • Developments in Packaging, Technology and Materials 36
• Business Trends and Developments 40
  • Partnerships and Business Alliances 40
  • Warranties 42
• Cost Dynamics of Photovoltaic Power 43
• Cost Dynamics of Disruptive PV Inverter Technology 45
• Policy and Regulatory Framework for Development 46
  • Adoption of Feed-in Tariffs 46
  • Renewable Portfolio Standards 47
  • Interconnection with the Utility Grid 49
  • Net Metering 52
  • Standards and Regulations 54
  • Renewable Energy Certificates 55
  • Direct Subsidies and Tax Incentives 57
  • Legislative Policies 58
• Competitive Environment 59
  • Direct Grid Technologies 60
  • eIQ Energy 61
  • Enecsys Microinverters 62
  • Enphase Energy 63
  • Green Ray Solar 64
  • National Semiconductor 66
  • Petra Solar 67
  • SMA OKE 68
  • Solar Bridge 69
  • Solar Edge 70
  • Tigo Energy 72

• Figure 1 - Typical Central Inverter 12
• Figure 2 - Conventional PV Architecture 13
• Figure 3 - Distributed PV Architecture Using Microinverters 15
• Figure 4 - Illustration of an Enphase Energy Microinverter 16
• Figure 5 - Distributed PV Architecture Using Embedded Microinverters 17
• Figure 6 - Rooftop Entry Canopy Microinverter PV System 18
• Figure 7 - Petra Solar Microinverter PV System 19
• Figure 8 - Distributed PV Architecture Using DC-DC Solutions 21
• Figure 9 - National Semiconductor Solar Magic Power Optimizer 22
• Figure 10 - Tigo Energy Module Maximizer 23
• Figure 11 - Tigo Energy Module Maximizer Attached to PV Panel 24
• Figure 12 - Illustration of a SolarEdge DC-DC Solution 25
• Figure 13 - Enphase Microinverter Communications System 27
• Figure 14 - Building Integrated Photovoltaic System 29
• Figure 15 - Building Integrated Photovoltaic System Structural Example 30
• Figure 16 - Problem with PV Shading in Current PV Systems 32
• Figure 17 - Proposed Solution to Problem with PV Shading 33
• Figure 18 - PV Array Wired in Series 34
• Figure 19 - PV Array Wired in Parallel 35
• Figure 20 - Example of a Microgrid Configuration 37
• Figure 21 - Conventional Inverter Using Electrolytic Capacitors 38
• Figure 22 - Enecsys Inverter Using Thin Film Capacitors 39
• Figure 23 - Cost Comparison of Photovoltaic Energy 44
• Figure 24 - IEEE 1547 Series Interconnection Standards 50
• Figure 25 - Nature of Main Interconnection Guidelines in Europe 51
• Figure 26 - Net Metering for PV in the US 53
• Figure 27 - Renewable Energy Certificates 56

Related Reports