Ampt, a developer of power conversion technology for PV system, was selected to supply its DC optimizers to Canadian Solar, a global PV company, and OMRON, global developer of residential solar systems. Ampt’s DC optimizers will be utilized for both large-scale PV power plant and small-scale residential solar systems.
Ampt's technology puts voltage and current limits on the output of each optimizer to allow twice the number of PV modules per string and eliminate half of the combiner boxes and associated cable and labor. Ampt also performs maximum power point tracking (MPPT) on every 20 modules to mitigate losses due to mismatch, and allows the inverter to operate at a high and narrow input voltage range to improve inverter performance.
Canadian Solar’s 33MW project
Canadian Solar chose Ampt’s DC String Optimizers for its 33MW solar power plant.
"Our initial work with Ampt surpassed expectations and laid the groundwork for the 33 MW utility-scale installation," said Ken Rowbotham at Canadian Solar. "We chose Ampt for its clear technology advantages which support our broader commitment to being the industry-leading provider of clean solar energy across the globe."
Partnership with OMRON
Also at the Solar Power International tradeshow, Ampt announced that OMRON will combine its PV Smart Inverters with Ampt’s DC Optimizers for improving performance of residential solar solutions.
OMRON has shipped more than 6.5GW of solar inverters to the global market and is the world’s leader in single-phase PV inverter producers. As OMRON selected Ampt as its solution partner, its Smart Inverter will package single or multiple Ampt’s module optimizers with rapid shutdown functionality that satisfies the National Electric Code's (NEC) 2014 shutdown requirements. Furthermore, OMRON’s new Smart Inverter will feature a patented multi-level topology as well as PID prevention thanks to Ampt’s technology.
"We are pleased that a highly regarded company like OMRON has selected Ampt's technology and products to advance their product portfolio," said Levent Gun, CEO of Ampt. "OMRON's solution demonstrates the value and flexibility that our patented technology makes available to inverter manufacturers and their customers."