EQ In Exclusive Conversation With Mr. Darshan N Shah, President – Sales & Marketing Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Pvt Ltd
Interview of Mr. Darshan N Shah, President – Sales & Marketing (Chief Sales & Marketing Officer) of Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Private Limited, Ahmedabad
- Please share the brief about your company – Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Private Limited.
Founded & established in 1983 as Hi-Rel Electronics Pvt. Ltd., which later on in year 2015 had become the 100% subsidiary company of Hitachi, Japan which is one of the Global fortune 500 companies with a new name as Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Private Limited, which is being recognized as one of the pioneers in power electronics domain. Hitachi Hi-Rel, today, is a leading manufacturer of. industrial UPS, IT & Infra UPS, medium & low voltage variable frequency drives, grid tied solar inverters, air compressors and railway inverters.
Hitachi Hi-Rel has state-of-the art manufacturing facility at Sanand near Ahmedabad in Gujarat-India. Hitachi Hi-Rel is helping a wide array of industries and organizations to meet the mission critical demands through technologically superior, low polluting and innovative products Solutions and continue to offer world class power electronics products, value added services & customized solutions.
With a vision of “To be recognized as the most trusted Power Electronics Company by supplying superior products and services”, Hitachi Hi-Rel has garnered a significant level of trust in Indian power electronics market segment wherein it serves the entire gamut of Industries, particularly in mission critical applications for Refineries, Petro-Chemicals, Power Generation, Steel & Metals, and Process Industries as well as Critical Data Processing Applications. Besides offering greater energy efficiency & lower carbon footprint, each of the company product streams bears the hallmark of excellence with company accreditations. Hitachi Hi-Rel is an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2008 certified company having export house status. Hitachi Hi-Rel sales network & service infrastructure expands out to the world & with this network, we have made strong inroad in Global markets like South East Asia, Middle East, Africa and Brazil. Also, with a presence of strategically located skilled service engineers in India helps us to score high in terms of customer expectations on service deliverables & uptime of the product.
Coming to the Solar Inverters, Hitachi Hi-Rel grid tied solar inverters are based on the contemporary technology of Hitachi Ltd, Japan. Currently Hitachi branded Solar Inverters are generating more than 5.5 GW renewable power in Global Solar Domain as well as more than 3 GW+ renewable power in Indian Solar Domain.
With expertise, experience and an efficient product line, Hitachi Hi-Rel will always try to be your power electronics partner. When you choose to do business with Hitachi Hi-Rel, you are partnering with a company who cares.
- How much Inverters have you supplied to India till now, what is the target/expectation in this year and next year
Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics started solar inverter business in 2012 here in India and has supplied & installed more than 3 GW grid tied central and string solar inverters in India.
Through our social innovation business, we have been actively participating in providing renewable energy solutions through our highly advanced and Efficient Solar Inverters to esteemed set of customers which includes Power Generation companies, Developers & EPCs like NTPC, Adani, BHEL, Tata Power, KEC International and many more .
We are targeting to leverage our existing installation base by almost 50% to 4.5 GW (from existing level of 3 GW) in the span of next 2 years
- What are your views on Inverters – Make in India
As of now, we as country are definitely not self-sufficient to cater to our ambitious plans of capacity additions under National Solar Mission & other initiatives by central & state governments in the solar sphere, in terms of major equipment supplies including the Solar Inverters.
Major raw materials like semiconductors & few others, which are being extensively employed in Manufacturing of Inverters, are still being sourced from other countries in Asia, Europe or America. We do not have any indigenous supplier for these products even now. This is despite of Government’s aggressive approach to facilitate conducive environment for investments to develop a modern and efficient infrastructure under Make in India Drive. Hence, to have the cost viability of the Solar projects which are to be announced/implemented, it would still be highly imperative that these raw materials are allowed to be sourced from the respective country of origin with minimal imported duties & same may continue, till we develop sufficient manufacturing capacity in India.
On the other side, the step pertaining to increase in the Basic Custom Duties on finished goods i.e. the Complete Solar Inverter, is definitely a welcome move & well appreciated by indigenous manufacturers like us as it really makes them competitive against the heavy influx of the imported inverters.
- Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your Inverters in India in various geographic locations, customer feedback,
The solar inverter is a key and an important component of the photovoltaic (PV) systems that changes the direct power (DC) from the PV array to alternating power (AC) used in the electrical grid may be an autonomous or grid connected. It really affects the inclusive performance of the PV system. The solar inverter does not only convert the DC power into AC power but it also regulates the PV system so that the maximum power is being obtained from the whole system.
The Performance of our Solar Inverters has been well appreciated by our customers/users both in terms of product performance & Reliability. With 3 level IGBT technology, suitability to operate at higher ambient temperature and wider MPPT range, Hitachi Solar Inverters are delivering considerably high Output in terms of intended power generation & also consolidates immensely the reliability of plant operation. Hitachi Solar Inverters are among the most popular Grid Tied Solar Inverters currently in India also in terms of facilitating the major saving in the area of EBOP (Electrical Balance of Plant).
Hitachi Hi-Rel has been consistently maintaining uptime of around 99% for all our Solar Inverter Installations. We also offer highly reliable after-sales-service-support from our dedicated & decentralized service centres located at strategic locations across the country.
With regards to the Geographical bifurcation of our installation base, we have 40% of our installation base in Southern part, 30% in Northern part, 20% in Western part & approx. 10% in Eastern Part of the country,
With respect to the customer feedback, there are plentiful positive responses and standpoints from the well-known and renowned power generating companies, Solar developers & EPCs of India for the Hitachi solar inverters supplied to them by Hitachi Hi-Rel. Few of the key feedbacks received are, Hitachi solar inverters are really running successfully and satisfactorily in all weather conditions, These inverters are user friendly, highly efficient & easy to maintain, many customer provided their accolades in terms of they being fully satisfied with the prompt service support from Hitachi service team & inverters meeting the guaranteed uptime as assured since commissioning,. Today Hitachi Hi-Rel is being viewed as one of the most trustworthy partners for Solar Inverter Solutions.
- What is the size of your company in terms of manufacturing capacities, growth chart, future expansion plans, revenues, shipments, ASP’s, financial figures,
Hitachi Hi-Rel, India, is a key hub, for both “Manufacturing” as well as “Research & Development”, within the power electronics division of Hitachi Group and we try to leverage it to drive Innovation and Growth.
Sprawling across an area of 26,000 square meters and modelled on Hitachi’s Omika Works in Japan, our Sanand manufacturing facility is one of the most modern and state-of-the-art power electronics manufacturing facilities in India. All aspects of manufacturing, testing and quality assurance are overseen by highly experienced & trained individuals.. It also employs Omika Works based software tools for engineering and manufacturing and has one of the most advanced in-house product testing facilities in the country.
We manufacture grid tied solar inverters locally in India at this Sanand manufacturing facility, based on the contemporary technology of Hitachi Ltd, Japan. For -Inverters, presently, the estimated manufacturing capacity is approx. 2.5 GW/Annum considering the continuous operation of the plant.
Innovation through research & development has been rooted in Hi-Rel DNA since 1984. Hitachi Hi-Rel has an in-house R&D (Research & Development) facility, set up in 1984, which is recognized by DSIR (Department of Scientific & Industrial Research), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India enabling development of valuable new products. This has enabled company to develop and market products that have become industry standards.
Hitachi Hi-Rel also has an additional facility at Gandhinagar near Ahmedabad in Gujarat which is sprawled across an area of 10,000 Sq. Meter.
We are strategically targeting to leverage our market share in almost all the product groups with increased emphasis on Solar segment in view of very conducive government polices & aggressive plans to add capacity under renewable energy sphere, On, short term & long term basis, we are looking at sustainable business growth in all the product segments.
Briefly describe the various technologies and its suitable applications such as Central Inverter, String, Micro Inverter, 1500V, Outdoor, Container solutions etc.
HIVERTER NP-215L Series 2.5 MW Solar Central Outdoor Inverter for 1500 VDC PV System
As a part of continues technical advancement, Hitachi Hi-Rel has developed most advanced & next generation 2.5 MW Solar Central Outdoor Inverter that is suitable for 1500 V DC Solar PV system. This inverter has been thoughtfully designed keeping all the critical parameters and challenges faced by project developers in terms of ease of installations, better grid compliance & most importantly CAPEX Vs. YIELD factor.
Highlights
- Rated Power 2500kW @ 50 Degree Centigrade , 2700V@ 25 Degree Centigrade.
- 3 level PWM technology to achieve maximum efficiency 99.0%
- Single MPPT having voltage range 950V – 1300V
- Efficient Maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
- Latest LVRT / FRT
- High DC overloading up to 200%’
- BUSDUCT / CABLE CONNECTION OPTION for AC connection
- Totally Outdoor Unit – saving on civil construction, hassle free Installation
Benefits
- 25 Years reliable service life span
- Low auxiliary power consumption due to variable fan speed as per power feeding
- High power density 400kVA/m2
- Easy to install and maintain
- Efficient reactive power feeding with ANPC technology
HIVERTER NP201i Series Grid Tied Central Solar Inverter
Hitachi’s HIVERTER NP 201i Model Solar Inverter is among the best available Grid Tied Solar Central Inverters that is suitable for multi-megawatt and utility-scale PV power plants. It is a critical balance of system (BOS) component in a solar photovoltaic system. With 3 level IGBT technology and wider MPPT range, Hitachi Solar Inverter delivers considerably maximum power generation.
It is available from 250 KW to 2.86 MW capacities.
- kW Scale: 250 kW, 500 kW, 630 kW, 670 kW, 715 kW
- MW Scale: 1 MW, 1.25 MW, 1.34 MW, 1.43 MW, 2.5 MW, 2.68 MW, 2.86 MW
Hitachi Solar Inverters offer maximum ROI (return on investment) over the lifetime of the plant. With proper maintenance and parts replacement on schedule, it has an operating life up to 25 years.
Highlights
- World class quality & High performance – reliable & efficient product
- 3 Level PWM Inverter technology resulting in reduction of losses, low harmonic output current (< 3%) & improved efficiency
- Low current harmonic distortion
- Reactive power control (night time
- Lowest auxiliary consumption
- Suitable for handling DC overloading capacity up to 140%
- Rated power @ 0.95 pt at 50°C
- Widest MPPT range
- Provision of air circuit breaker at o/p at each MW scale inverter
- Flexible output AC voltage suitable for retrofitting jobs
- Up to 2.86MW containerized solution
HIVERTER Si Series Grid Tied String Solar Inverters
Hitachi, with more than 100 years of legacy worldwide and with over 3 GW installation base of PV Central Solar Inverters in India, offers you the PV STRING INVERTER with latest, efficient & flexible design to maximize the energy yield for large commercial & utility solar projects. With highly efficient conversion technology, this HIVERTER Si Series PV String Solar Inverter is available from 4.4 kW to 70 kW range with 3 Phase output and 1.1 kW to 6 kW range with 1 Phase output.
Highlights
- Best suitable for heavy industries and large commercial establishments in India
- Wide range of 1.1 kW to 136 kW , 1000V Inverters offers more flexibility as per project design
- Real time precise MPPT algorithm to ensure highest efficiency up to 98.6%
- Intelligent grid management features first of its kind IV curve diagnostics feature
- A robust IP65 enclosure allowing hassle free outdoor installations
- Low maintenance cost
- Safety assured through its anti-islanding, RCMU, ground fault monitoring
- Wide DC input range from 250 V to 950 V
- Highest AC output range +/- 25%
- Up to 3 Independent MPPT to ensure optimal energy harvest
- MPPT accuracy is up to 99.9 %, max euro efficiency 98.4 %
- Wide ambient temp range -25°C to 60°C
- IP 65 protection for Indoor & outdoor application
String Inverter Technology
- Intelligent Power Management
- Built-In Protection Functions
- Humanized Functions
- Remote monitoring and operation
- IV curve tracking
- Inbuilt memory option available to track lifetime data of system.
HITACHI PV POWER STATION
We also offer Hitachi PV Power Station which is an advanced containerized solution for large-scale and commercial PV (photovoltaic) power plants, which contains Solar Inverters and optional equipment’s for auxiliaries, serves to protect electric equipment’s from environmental influence. It has been developed to fulfil the objective of faster commissioning, helps developers/EPC to significantly reduce the planning and execution time of the PV project.
To ensure long lifetime in the most challenging Indian environmental condition, Hitachi PV Power Station is designed & developed with highest structural stability which is water proof, weather resistant, termite proof and easy to install. It achieves an excellent performance with IP protection class mechanism design. Its design life is up to 25 years.
- Kindly highlight your product, technology & company USP’s, distinctive advantages etc…
Hitachi Hi-Rel’s UPS and power conditioning back-up systems, the flagship product, works as an exceptional safeguard against power disruption and reflects the industry’s ultimate in advanced technology with proven track record in mission critical applications.
Its variable frequency drives represent the most energy efficient means of process control and reflect the best in process control.
Its grid tied solar inverters are based on the contemporary technology of Hitachi Ltd, Japan and currently generating more than 3 GW renewable power in Indian Solar Domain.
It is contributing to new value creation in India by manufacturing an array of highly efficient and cutting edge power electronics products which are helping India meet the present and future Information Technology and Operational Technology requirements.
The cutting-edge products of Hitachi Hi-Rel conform to and promote essential criteria of availability, affordability, reliability and quality of electricity supply, which are fundamental pillars of ‘Power for All’ program objectives.
Being a part of every small yet significant transformation, Hitachi Hi-Rel is at the forefront of Social innovation in India’s power sector and helps bring-in the nation’s dream of clean and green power to realization.
- What’s your commitment towards the solar sector in India
At Hitachi Hi-Rel, we envision a very sunny future. To address India’s surging demand for power, we are offering renewable energy solutions through our HIGH PERFORMANCE – HIGHLY RELIABLE – NEXT GENERATION grid tied central and string Solar Inverters.
Quality is the first priority for Hitachi. We strive to make our solar inverter products as per global standards. Hitachi Solar Inverters are available with highly efficient conversion technology, manufactured at our Sanand Facility, near Ahmedabad, help to reduce dependency on traditional resources depleting and polluting electric power systems.
Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics is committed to contribute in Country’s progressive journey in the renewable sphere by supplying the most efficient & Reliable Solar Inverters as a product & solution to meet the present and future energy requirements in a cleaner and greener way.
