STMicroelectronics showcases innovative solar solutions at Solar Power America

STMicroelectronics (ST), a leading global supplier of semiconductor solutions, will showcase its latest innovations in solar power plants and energy-efficient homes at the 2011 Solar Power International Exhibition from October 17 to 20.

Steve Sachnoff, Vice President of Commercial and Industrial Division of STMicroelectronics America, said that solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources today. Maximizing energy collection and conversion efficiency is the key to making solar energy more commercially competitive than traditional power generation methods, which is also what STMicroelectronics' solutions focus on.

STMicroelectronics provides complete system solutions to maximize the energy conversion efficiency of the entire link from solar panels to the power grid. At the 2011 American International Solar Exhibition, STMicroelectronics will showcase the latest developments in the SolarPlus design portfolio, including power optimizers, junction boxes, smart junction boxes, microinverters and inverters, which can make future solar installations easier to control and produce more renewable energy.

STMicroelectronics' SPV1020 chip can maximize the energy collected from a single solar panel, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the photovoltaic system. SPV1020 is the industry's first solar power system chip with two important functions: power optimization and power conversion. SPV1020 has a built-in maximum power point tracking algorithm (MPPT) to ensure maximum power output in any weather conditions.

Based on the same principle, STMicroelectronics' SPV1040 solar cell charger is designed for mobile phones and other small portable devices equipped with solar cells. The SPV1040 charger uses an MPPT algorithm to extend the working time of mobile devices and prevent the device from accidentally losing power when there is no power supply.

STMicroelectronics' SPV1001 smart switch improves the conversion efficiency of solar panels and reduces current leakage when photovoltaic panels generate electricity.

STMicroelectronics' microinverters are mounted directly on solar panels to form a photovoltaic module that converts DC voltage into AC voltage. By using the MPPT algorithm, microinverters can maximize the energy harvested from each solar panel.

In addition, STMicroelectronics also demonstrated all the connected devices for solar applications, including power line modems, ZigBee and Bluetooth modules.