Press release 2009

SOLAR INVERTERS ARE THE PROTAGONISTS OF INVEX 2009 AT FIERA MILANO
Press release no. 183/09
(03/12/2009)

The most recent technologies and developments of the market and legislation are in the spotlight at the first Italian and international event entirely dedicated to the world of inverters for photovoltaic applications

The premiere edition of Invex, the first worldwide event dedicated to the industry of photovoltaic inverters, which transform electricity produced by solar modules from CC into AC, available therefore for use with home appliances as well as for emission into the national grid, took place today at fieramilano di Rho-Pero, in front of an audience of more than 400 people.

"The machinery on sale at present has higher performance than those of just a few years ago, and there are also more functions being added, such as security systems and fire alarms, complete monitoring of solar energy plants, higher electrical safety and new levels of insulation," said Francesco Groppi, in charge of 2-Inverter, the work group of the Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano - Italian Electro-Technical Committee, and chairman during the conference. The main topics dealt with during the conference, which was attended by leading national and international manufacturers, included the differences between centralized high-power inverters, and small-powered modular ones, test procedures, the suitability of inverters for diverse installations (flat roofs, shed, capturers, etc.) and technologies regarding modules (crystalline or thin film).
"There is not just one answer to the question regarding which type of module is suitable for installations," said Marco Trova of Power-One Italy. "Each case must be evaluated individually and there are also borderline situations, in which it is not immediately clear which is the best solution. If, for example, we consider thin film, the inverter chosen must be able to handle initial degradation of the module as well as possible corrosion".

"There are many parameters to take into consideration when choosing an inverter," said Valerio Natalizia of SMA. "Obviously costs, but also basic and optional guarantees, efficiency, working life, the number of machines already up and running in the world, pre- and post-sales service. The aim of a company like ours is that of developing reliable machines that limit the negative points of the two solutions - centralized and modular."
Operators explained how they are responding to the enormous request of machinery on international markets caused by the global "explosion" of the photovoltaic market during 2009 and pointed out how the EN 50530 norm, valid for Europe, will define new common standards regarding the quality of machines commercialized. "Today, the great majority of inverters are manufactured in Western countries," concluded Natalizia, "but I expect that in a few years we will see Asian-produced machines on the market too. For now, the most important fact is that of R&D, and, therefore, European and American companies can still exploit the consequent competitive advantage."
Invex 2009 was held the day before the inauguration of EnerSolar+ and Greenergy, the international fairs on renewable sources and solar energy, and HTE-Hi.Tech.Expo, the first fair dedicated to science, research and high-tech.

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