Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ:BLDP; TSX:BLD) today introduced as 75 kW Ecostar(TM) power converter specifically designed for photovoltaic applications.
The company says it is the only 75 kW grid-tie utility interactive power inverter available to PV customers and claims the Ecostar(TM) power converter combines superior inverter and transformer efficiency with ease of installation and use.
With peak transformer efficiency of 98.4 percent, system operating losses reduced to 25 Watts and continuous power output at full load, the Ecostar(TM) power converter is one of the most efficient commercial inverters available in North America. Ballard offers a five-year extended warranty for parts and labor and is listed by the California Energy Commission.
Key benefits of the Ecostar(TM) power converter include:
Night-time isolation: the inverter automatically disconnects from the grid and isolates the power transformer when there is no power from the PV array; further, it automatically "wakes up" when the sun reappears, thus eliminating nighttime transformer losses;
Patented software algorithms: offers reliable grid-parallel operation, anti-islanding and over/under frequency and voltage protections; Highly efficient maximum power-point tracking: operates independently of PV cell technologies and fill-factors for maximum installation flexibility and reduced operating costs;
Liquid cooling: increases system reliability and inverter life cycle.
The Ecostar(TM) power converter is leveraged from Ballard's extensive experience developing inverters for automotive and microturbine applications, and is proving to be a flexible product design. Ballard expects to add a 30 kW inverter product for PV applications to its product offerings for installations in the second half of 2004.
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