SMA Introduces Sunny Central 2500-EV-US for 1,500 VDC Utility-Scale Applications
SMA is now taking orders for its newest central inverter, which not only is ideal for 1,500 VDC applications but also is UL certified to the new UL 62109 standard. The Sunny Central 2500-EV-US provides 2,500 kVA at 1,500 VDC, allowing developers, owners and EPCs to benefit from cost reductions due to balance-of-system savings. With the Sunny Central 2500-EV-US, SMA is the first manufacturer to have an inverter certified to UL 62109 by UL LLC. This new safety standard is specific to the solar industry, addressing the unique aspects of applying power conversion technologies to photovoltaics.
“CAPEX reductions are imperative to maintaining margins and staying competitive in the utility-scale PV landscape,” said Marko Wittich, SMA executive vice president of sales for the Americas region. “Utilizing 1,500 VDC system design with the Sunny Central 2500-EV-US allows stakeholders to realize an immediate impact to their bottom line.”The Sunny Central 2500-EV-US inverter saves these costs by reducing the size of the DC cabling, as well as the quantity of combiner boxes and medium-voltage equipment required. Additionally, fewer system components are needed per inverter pad due to the integrated DC fuse servicing switches and convenience power.
Moreover, the Sunny Central 2500-EV-US represents a new level of safety, functionality and reliability, as it complies with UL 62109, addressing the latest safety, ground fault, and electric shock testing requirements established to address modern PV inverter designs. UL 62109 was created out of an industry need to drive commonality and harmonization between international markets, which helps drive down costs while increasing project velocity. It is anticipated to become the new standard for the solar industry and is updated and expanded to specifically address the latest safety aspects of PV power conversion equipment.
With the new certification, EPCs can procure UL-listed equipment at the time of purchase, mitigating the risks of field evaluations, such as delayed schedules and costly reviews with Authorities Having Jurisdiction. Owners also benefit from the additional reliability and design verifications included in UL 62109, as well as the certainty that plant designs and assets are already compliant with expected future regulatory changes.
”As we move towards a smarter, more efficient modern energy grid, it remains critical to include safety considerations in product development, while also focusing on harmonization,” said Jeff Smidt, vice president and general manager of UL’s Energy and Power Technologies division. “UL 62109 certification aligns with those goals while also supporting necessary cost efficiencies in the market.”
