Relink micro inverters - the ultimate PV conversion technology

RELINK The Micro Inverter technology

ü  Founded 2013 in Malta Malta to develop an innovative range of Energy Storage systems conbined together with Micro Inverters co-developed with a primary technology provider of PV conversion.

ü  RELINK relies on the wide and strong skills of its founders in the

Energy and Renewables segments, in photovoltaic since 2007.

ü  RELINK has offices in:

ü Malta

ü Roma ü Melbourne foreseen in 2015

RELINK – Company

RELINK – Founders & Shareholders

Vins •  Researcher at Institute of Energy Technology di Aalborg, •  Design experiences in Roma and Paris •  Director at Kylee Doust Agency

Marco

•  International product mgmt, marketing & sales experiences in several sectors (energy, automotive, renewables)

•  M&A experience at ABB •  Business angel

Gilbert

•  14 years Managing Director at Lighting company •  International VP Mktg & Sales •  Head of Pd. mgmt and sales channels at ABB and Gewiss

Albert

•  20 years experience in energy conversion •  15 years experience in PV and storage

RELINK Micro Inverters

ü  The unique RELINK technology has been developed with a partnership with a world leader of Energy Conversion and the former R&D manager of a well recognized micro inverter leader.

ü  The RELINK micro inverters optimize the energy output of a PV module converting in the most efficient way the DC power in AC power available to the electric grid.

ü  The RELINK micro inverters offer an impressive value proposition for the PV systems.

RELINK – The Micro Inverter technology

ü  Micro inverter: compact, reliable and convenient units to be installed in the back of PV modules. Convert the direct current (DC) produced by PV modules into alternate current (AC) ü  Single micro inverter : 250W, (300W Q1-15) ü Duo micro inverter: 560W in Q1-15

ü  Cables and connectors

ü  PLC Gateway (power line)

ü  Monitoring system: offer the possibility to monitor each PV module (not possible with string inverters) o  Accessible via PC and mobile apparatus.

ü  Warranty: all products with 10 years warranty.

o  20 years extention available

RELINK – the product Range

S250HV

RELINK – a complete PV system

Micro Inverter RELINK

Gateway RELINK

Monitoring RELINK

ü  Single and Duo Microinverter o  According to CEI 021,VDE and

G83

ü  Installed on each PV module o  IP67 casing

o  Though environmental tests

o  Used in the rough Australian conditions

o  25 years life time

RELINK – the Micro Inverter system

MICROINVERTER GATEWAY MONITORING

ü Micro Inverter on PCB o  All components derived from

the military and automotive industries (high performances, reliability and long life)

ü Digital power control o  High precision

o  Fast calculation

o  Better performances



ü  AC cabling only o  2mt. Cable integrated in the

micro inverter o  It is necessary only a cap and a

final connector o  Available 2 mt cable estentions

o  Standard Wieland cables

o  Parellel done inside the micro



ü  Powerful communication o  Communication with Power

Line (PLC) on the AC cables o  It does micro inverters

monitoring and configuration

ü  Fast and Easy installation o  Connection to a std router

o  Automatically detects micro inverters



ü Monitoring each micro inverter o  1 or 2 modules

o  Graphs and excel tables

o  Supports view from PC and mobile apparatus

ü Complete reporting and alarms



ü  Longer life time and reliability o  The RELINK technology eliminates all the components that

represent the main reason of failure getting a life time of 25 years.

ü  The best output power o  Optimizes the power for each module and remains stable over

a wide temperature range.

ü  Increased safety o  Low voltage AC current, no high DC voltages, significant

reduction of fire hazard

ü  Simplified design and installation o  Easy design thanks to the independence of each/couple of

modules, minumum shade impact. No DC cables.

ü  Advanced monitoring systems o  Real time monitoring of each module enables a complete

control of the PV system.

o  Accessible via Web, smart phone and tablet.

RELINK – micro inverter - Benefetis

RELINK

Converts each mdoule MAXIMUM ENERGY

String Inverters vs Micro Inverter

When a PV modules is shaded, if the PV systems uses string inverter, each module is connected in series, the domino effect reduces the power output of the entire PV system.

The RELINK micro inverters, with all the modules connected in parallel, eliminate the domino effect and provide the maximum energy power output.

The problem The Solution

String Inverter PV system

PV strings DC side

Inverter AC side

RELINK micro inverters PV system

1 or 2 PV modules DC side

Micro Inverter AC side

These are the components with limited reliability and short life time used in string inverters: ü  Electrolytic Capacitors and opto-isolators.

o  the best electrolytic capacitors have an operational duration of about 7.000 hours at 105°C.

ü  String inverter expeted life time 8 to10 years.

The RELINK technology has superior performances because: ü  Does not use components with limited life time.

ü  Improves the stability and the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). ü  The life time of a RELINK micro inverter is more than 25 years.

o  Uses innovative capacitors with an operational duration of about 21.000 hours at 105°C. (3 times more than a string inverter)

RELINK – the best conversion system

String Inverters Micro Inverter RELINK

RELINK – Benefit – More power output

The Micro Inverter eliminates the DOMINO effect and the performance mismatch of PV modules


What causes modules mismatch

Dust & Debris Defects & Degradation

Different temperature Shade & obstacles


Performance increase 16%

Nr. Of PV systems ü  Micro: 143 ü  String: 480 Test duration ü  Micro: 12 months ü  String: 24 months Locations ü  Micro: CA & NE USA ü  String: TX

RELINK – Higher reliability

Test duration: 24 months Number of inverters ü  Micro: 10.360 ü  String: 3.373 Defects ü  Micro: 0,21% ü  String: 9,43%

Field reliability 45x

Field reliability test

RELINK – Higher reliability

RELINK

ü  PV system architecture o  A single event cannot stop all

the system o  The field interventions are dine

only on a small portion of the system

o  Service is less urgent

PV systen availabilty > 99,4 %

String

Time

Time

No high voltage DC cables ü  The maximun Dc voltage is lower than 60V. The DC-AC conversion is

done at module level. No electrical archs risk.

The micro inverter automatically switches off if: ü  grid is off (no AC present)

ü  temperature is too high (thermal switching)

Significant reduction of folgoration and fire hazards ü  Increased safety for installers and firemen.

ü  Improved asset protection and better risk management.

RELINK – outstanding safety

ü  Few components ü  At std conditions there’s no need of additional cabling, just

the Wieland final connector (INCC) and terminal cap (INBP)

ü  Installation layout

RELINK – Easy installation

S250HV S250HV S250HV S250HV INBP tappo

INCC connettore

RELINK – a real case in Australia– 2.250Wp

ü Difficult roof for string inverters due to double shade.

ü  A professional PV installer should not install a string inverter in this situation.

ü  The RELINK micro inverters offer the best solution by reducing the impact of shade and maximising the energy output

RELINK – a real case in Australia– 2.250Wp

Morning shade from east. No impact on the other modules

Evening shade from west. No impact on the other modules

RELINK – a real case in Australia – 2.250Wp

ü  The increased PV system energy production ranges from:

o  Min + 5% w/o shade

o  more MPPT o  no mismatch

o  Up to + 30% with shade

The shaded modules have no impact on the overall performance of the system

RELINK - a real case in Australia – 2.250Wp

RELINK

Increased productivity

RELINK – micro inverter – conclusions

MICRO RELINK STRING

Productivity Precise and constant (from +5 to +30%)

Variable

Reliability System availability 99,4% Defects < 0,5%

System availability 85% Defects > 4%

Duration >25 years 8-10 years

Easiness Completely AC Integrated cabling

Complex Design

Safety Low DC voltages Switches off at high temp.

DC archs risk Fire hazard

ü  The life time cost of a micro inverter system is 50% lower than a String inverter system

Relink micro inverters - the ultimate PV conversion technology

Environment

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