Sungrow redefines inverters with "modularization"

Modular design, development and use have become a modern application method. Small, independently operated components or modules are combined into larger applications or systems. This is like playing with building blocks, combining single simple parts into small modules, and then forming various model styles to form greater potential energy.

At present, my country is accelerating the construction of a new energy system. Faced with the new stage and new situation, especially the new requirements such as large-scale base projects, integrated source, grid, load and storage, and integrated wind, solar, water, fire and storage, the photovoltaic industry has also launched a series of important technological innovations.

In 2021, Sungrow seized the opportunity of market changes and made major innovations to traditional inverters in the ever-changing development of the photovoltaic industry chain. It pioneered the third category in the industry - "1+X" modular inverters, bringing new product applications and development paths to the photovoltaic industry. Since its debut in the domestic market, the product has quickly attracted great attention and popularity in the market.

Born out of the trend

The birth of the “1+X” modular inverter is inseparable from the development and application needs of the photovoltaic market.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, "PV+" projects combining PV with various industries have been launched across the country, and the combination of new energy and new business formats has become an important support for the implementation of the carbon peak and carbon neutrality strategies. Photovoltaic bases focusing on deserts, Gobi, wasteland, and offshore areas have become a new "battlefield" to promote the development of the photovoltaic industry. These types of terrain often have a wide photovoltaic layout, large single-unit capacity, and high investment costs, and are greatly affected by factors such as terrain, climate, temperature, and natural disasters.

For example, the Shagohuang area is rich in sunlight resources, but factors such as wind and sand, and the temperature difference between day and night bring a series of challenges to the equipment operation and maintenance of large base projects. Another example is the difficulty and high cost of offshore photovoltaic construction. In addition, harsh factors such as high salt fog and high humidity, waves and typhoons have put forward higher requirements for the safety, reliability, and convenience of operation and maintenance of photovoltaic power generation equipment.

With the diversification of photovoltaic application scenarios, the design and layout of photovoltaic power stations are becoming increasingly complex. Installation, operation and maintenance, and cost have become difficult points that test photovoltaic power generation equipment.

Taking the increasing number of large bases as an example, traditional centralized inverters are large in size, difficult to transport and install, and have large losses due to failures. If string inverters are used, more devices need to be configured in actual applications, increasing the workload and cost of operation and maintenance. Regardless of which of the above models is used, its development is limited.

Therefore, in various "harsh" environments, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the performance, installation, operation and maintenance costs of photovoltaic products. Once the inverter is damaged, the power generation efficiency will be reduced and the operation and maintenance costs will increase.

As a new product category in the photovoltaic industry, the "1+X" modular inverter was born out of demand and technology iteration. It has the dual advantages of string and centralized inverters, with more flexible configuration, more efficient operation and maintenance, and better cost per kilowatt-hour. It can be more friendly to various complex environment projects.

▲“1+X” is the first integrated platform for offshore, helping offshore photovoltaics reduce costs and increase efficiency

Simplify the complex, reduce costs and increase efficiency

Looking at the development history of photovoltaic inverters, the evolution of technology routes and corporate competition have never stopped. From heat dissipation, centralization and stringing, from two-way MPPT to multi-way MPPT, each product iteration update is always closely related to industry demand and cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

Shi Xiaofeng, vice president of Sungrow Solar Storage Group, told reporters that as the photovoltaic application environment becomes more and more complex, the requirements for inverters are also getting higher and higher. The operation and maintenance of ultra-large centralized inverters will also be difficult, and the power generation losses caused by failures will also increase. Therefore, in terms of technological innovation, we have started to focus on reducing the LCOE of the system life cycle, using our own database accumulated over the years, modularizing the design of vulnerable components, and combining the inverter's own intelligent active operation and maintenance algorithm. When a fault occurs on site, it can be quickly located and replaced without the need for professional personnel.

▲“1+X” device modularization, equipment modularization, extremely simple operation and maintenance

Shi Xiaofeng said: "'1+X' is modularly designed according to the 1.1MW power unit, supporting multiple machines in parallel to form 1.1~8.8MW sub-arrays. Each single module operates independently, and failure does not affect the power generation of other modules, ensuring a higher online rate of the power station and reducing power generation losses by 95%. This design also makes maintenance more convenient. The modularization of the device supports plug-and-play, and does not require professional maintenance, which improves the operation and maintenance efficiency by more than 70% and greatly reduces downtime losses. Modularization can be adapted to local conditions, and the sub-array design is flexible to adapt to more diversified demand scenarios, and the cost per kilowatt-hour is also lower."

Shipments exceeded 8GW, and the third category inverter "1+X" entered the global market

The “1+X” modular inverter has become a “dark horse” and has received great attention and favor as soon as it came out on the track.

In the application of photovoltaic projects in diversified scenarios and multiple fields such as "photovoltaic +", the "1+X" modular inverter has taken to the market with its super adaptability and plasticity. It has been successively applied to the 150MW fishery-photovoltaic complementary power station in Gao'an, Jiangxi, the 100MW photovoltaic sand control project in Inner Mongolia, the 200MW agricultural-photovoltaic complementary project in Shandong, the 300MW photovoltaic project in Ningxia, the 97MW agricultural-photovoltaic complementary project in Hubei, and the 100MW photovoltaic project in Shanxi.

▲“1+X” applied to Ningxia 300MW project

At the same time, the "1+X" modular inverter has gone beyond China and crossed the ocean to global markets such as North America, Europe, and South Africa. It has been recognized by international standards and overseas markets, and product shipments have steadily increased. "Technology + Channel" has created its unique market competitiveness.

The "1+X" modular inverter directly won orders in the South African market. In November 2022, Sungrow signed an inverter supply agreement with SOLA Group, a well-known independent power producer (IPP) in South Africa. All 256MW independent power generation projects use Sungrow's "1+X" modular inverters. It is reported that this project is the largest independent power generation project in Africa. While it is an important guarantee for improving the stability of the South African power grid, it also has a typical demonstration significance for other private photovoltaic projects in South Africa.

▲The signing ceremony between SOLA Group and Sungrow Power Supply

In addition, the promotion and application of Sungrow's "1+X" modular inverter in countries and regions such as Spain, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia are also very rapid. As an innovative product, it has also received high recognition in the media and professional reports in the international market for its advantages and cost-effectiveness. It is reported that by the end of 2022, the signed orders of Sungrow's "1+X" modular inverter in the global market have exceeded 8GW.

With the construction of large bases and larger-scale projects, the development of ground-based photovoltaic power stations has entered a new stage. Against the backdrop of policy adjustments, market changes, and technological collisions, the competitive landscape of photovoltaic inverters is also in a state of intense turmoil.

In this regard, Shi Xiaofeng said that the "1+X" modular inverter is an important product choice for the photovoltaic industry's diversified, multi-field and multi-scenario trends. It is very competitive in long-term operation and cost-effectiveness.