Greenstar-Brochure-Update-v9 - Solar 360

The microinverterThe latest in solar technology

Corporate profileSaving energy. Saving the world.Traditional inverter systems typically shut offduring low-light conditions, as they require a minimumamount of incoming power to operate efficientlyMicroinverters fix thisGreenstar is a privately owned companyand was created to meet the needs of therenewable energy industry where missinglinks were identified within the Australianmarket. The philosophy behind the companyis to provide smart solar solutions and qualityproducts for the solar industry. Softwaredevelopment, technical support and newproducts are always at the forefront of thecompany development.With electrical and software engineering andelectrical expertise available to our clienteleallows a one stop shop when consideringproviding your customers the newest insolar technologies.The key focus within the Research &Development strategy was to look at new andinnovative products abroad and in-house toimplement them within Australia.Traditional string systems are a thing ofthe past when you look into the technologyadvancement the overseas market embraces.Limited system monitoring, products not builtto last to the lifetime of the modules andtraditional system reoccurring issues weresome of the major considerations our Research& Development team took to their planning.The microinverter technology, due to its easeof installation, safety around fire hazards andextra generation were a key considerationwhen this product went into development.Traditional systems cannot compare to thistechnology.Greenstar also have the capabilities andexpertise of staff to provide technical supportfor the product ranges on offer when utilised inprojects of varying sizes.With a dedicated team, all with a keen interestin the renewable sector, makes the companyphilosophy achievable and encourages themto continually look for advancements for thesolar industry.Don’t settle for a traditionalstring system.Microinverters are the wayof the future with a highergeneration yield with a betterinvestment for your future.SAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 1

MicroinvertersThe latest in solar technologyMicroinvertersMicroinverter technology is the latest in solartechnology to come to the Australian market.The issues that traditional systems encounter,shutting off during low-light conditions in earlymorning and late evening or thick cloud cover –microinverters eliminate this.Microinverters operate individually soshutdown due to shading, dirt or cloud coverdoes not affect the whole system only theaffected panel and the remaining panelsperform at optimum. In low light conditionsgeneration continues to be highly efficient dueto the burst mode feature of the microinverter.Maintaining the best warranties in the marketalong with the quality of the design andtechnology, the microinverter is here to takethe market to new heights.With microinverters beinga smart solar solution –why would you stick withyour traditional stringsystems and not choose amicroinverter system?25 year warranty& safer installationFinally it is here – the warranty built to lastthe lifetime of the solar system.Manufacturers are able to offer such anattractive warranty on the microinverters dueto the way it works- the power passing throughit has lower voltage requirements comparedto a traditional inverter, hence enabling alonger lifespan.The product range of Greenstar microinvertersoffers a 25 year warranty.Safety plays a big part in any investmentmade therefore you will feel comfort in amicroinverter installation. Microinvertersystems are AC based solar systems withno high voltage DC wiring on rooftops. Thisreduces the risks of shock and fire that may bepresent within a traditional system.The microinverters being an AC based systemand the features it holds, shuts down if thereis a fault or disconnection in the wiring. Unliketraditional systems being a DC based systemwith live voltage as long as the sun is shiningand as a result, faults or disconnections cancreate continuous arc faults.Extra generationMicroinverters can produce from5%-25% more extra generation thana traditional system.The main advantages of microinverters areworking individually avoiding the traditionalinverter weakness where the system willdeliver the generation decided by the weakestmodule. Partial shading, dust particles orobstructions would be a major problem fora full system, but individual microinverterseliminate this, creating extra generation withinindividual modules. Positive tolerances withinthe modules are also captured through extrageneration as the microinverter works eachmodule to its highest optimum.Another notable advantage is the safe ACvoltage distribution. Unlike the traditionalstring systems, where DC voltage is distributedacross the roofline, microinverters eliminatethis and are a safer option for thoseconsidering a solar solution.Therefore as a result microinverters are ahighly reliable product and with warrantiesthat match the lifetime of the modules thisis the solar technology the Australianmarket should be striving for.A recent study completed,found that by installing amicroinverter system, thegeneration yield on averagewas more than 16% than thetraditional inverter.”2 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGYSAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 3

Traditional inverter systemUsing a traditional inverter modules are wired in series and the lowest✔performing module determines the performance of the entire system. Systemsare constantly affected by environmental factors, such as shade, dust and debris,therefore the traditional system can be affected as opposed to the microinverter systems.This is commonly known as the “Christmas light effect”.BLOCKAGEFailure ratesFailure Rate10%9.43%5%0%String inverterString inverters MicroinvertersInstalled 3,373 10,630Replaced 318 220.207%microinverter50% 50% 50%✘Independent controlMICROINVERTERSSOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3Microinverter systemBLOCKAGEBLOCKAGECABLINGSOLAR PANELSMicroinverters allow each solar panel to operate independently and control the powerfrom each 50% with 95.5% accuracy. 50% This results in a significant 50% increase in the performanceof the entire 100% system. Greenstar 100% microinverter have unparalleled 50% reliability with a meantime between failures of 120 years. This reliability and the reduction of a single pointof failure is the reason Greenstar provide a 25 year warranty. The inverter designs tooperate in real world conditions from -40°C to +85°C and achieve a peak efficiency of94.1% for high reliability over the temperature range.SOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3SOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3MODEMSWITCHBOARDPOWERECU-3100% 100% 50%BLOCKAGE✔A microinverter is bolted to the back of each solar module, connects to each individuallyand converts DC power to grid-compliant AC power straight off the module.The ECU-3 (Energy Communication Unit) then communicates with each microinverterand transmits performance data to an internet based website.Greenstar customers can visit the Power Tracker website where they can monitor andmanage their solar electricity systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.SOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3Greenstar look to provide smart solar solutions to theAustralian market.4 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY✘SAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 5

The top 10 benefitsGreenstar - a smarter solar solution1 Significantly increased energy harvest2 25 year warranty3 Improved safety eliminating use of high voltage DC4 Faster ROI on cost of solar photovoltaic systems5 Comprehensive web based monitoring6 Communications systems that analyzes and reports theperformance of each solar module with the PV array to enablesystem performance optimization7 Increased inverter reliability to match the life of solar modules8 No more expensive DC electrical materials9 Ease of installation10 Simplification of PV array designMicroinverters are proven highlyefficient, easy to install and guaranteedfor 25 years matching the lifetime ofsolar panels.GS250The GS250 is a grid tied microinverter thatoffers a high level of intelligence and featuresthat enable the microinverter to enhance solargeneration. The GS250 is easy to install and isbolted to the back of each solar module. Poweris converted from DC to grid-compliant ACstraight off the solar module. The Greenstarrange of microinverters communicate throughthe Greenstar ECU transmitting systemperformance data and trends back to the PowerTracker website. The GS250 is designed forcompatibility with most 60-72 cell PV modulesand up to 22 units can be daisy chained togetherper branch. Offering the best microinverterwarranty on the market of 25 years, Greenstar isthe range for you.GS500The GS500 is a grid tied microinverter thatoffers a high level of intelligence and featuresthat enable the microinverter to enhance solargeneration. The GS500 is essentially two GS250microinverters in the one housing to reduce costsand installation time. Each panel still operatesindividually to enhance solar generation. TheGS500 is easy to install and is bolted to the backof each solar module. Power is converted fromDC to grid-compliant AC straight off the solarmodule. The Greenstar range of microinverterscommunicate through the Greenstar ECUtransmitting system performance data andtrends back to the Power Tracker website. TheGS500 is designed for compatibility with most60-72 cell PV modules and up to 11 units can bedaisy chained together per branch. Offering thebest microinverter warranty on the market of 25years, Greenstar is the range for you.Microinverter Label KitsIncludes all of the relevant AC labels required bylegislation for a microinverter install.ECU-3The Greenstar ECU, an internet gateway, isengineered to communicate with the range ofGreenstar microinverters. The communicationtransmits the systems performance data andtrends back to the Power Tracker websiteAlthough not mandatory, it is recommendedeach microinverter installation has a GreenstarECU to provide access to customers for visibilityof live and historical data on their systemsperformance and trends.Protective End CapProtective end caps are required within amicroinverter installation. These are positionedon the end of the AC microinverter cabling at theend of each row of solar modules. This end plugis a screw on cap and an essential part of yourmaterials kit.Interconnect CableInterconnect cabling connects each row of theGreenstar microinverters to the AC junctionbox and isolator. Depending on your modulepositioning, each row will require an interconnectcable. Interconnect cabling can be utilised fromthe first inverter through to the AC isolator.Greenstar offer the cabling in both a 2m & 4minterconnect to assist you with your installation.6 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGYSAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 7

Power Tracker monitoringStay in controlPower Tracker productsOptimum performancePower Tracker has joined forces with Greenstarto develop a free monitoring platform forsolar owners to track the performance oftheir solar systems.The Power Tracker website talks directly withthe Greenstar ECU-3 via the internet.The website allows each user to build theirown user interface to suit their needs. Thewebsite stores a wide range a values from eachmicroinverter from voltage, temperature andpower output and stores this data historical forthe user to view.Power Trackers system can also monitor thesolar system for you. If you have panels thatstop performing at the expected levels thewebsite can generate email notifications.The large range of graphs and charts allowthe users to easily indentify underperformingpanels and to ensure that their system isalways working to its maximum potential.Smart Energy GatewayThe Smart Energy Gateway is an all-in-one routerdesigned for users to enjoy real-time powermanagement and secured wireless Internet access.Integrated with ZigBee technology, the Smart EnergyGateway can communicate wirelessly with devices suchas the Smart Clamp and Smart Appliance.The Smart Energy Gateway pushes all the recordeddata to the Power Tracker website so users canremotely monitor energy consumption and managetheir appliances.Smart ClampThe Smart Clamp is a cost-effective energy monitoringand management solution designed for Home AreaNetworks. It is a ZigBee-based clamp-on power meterthat can help households and building owners save ontheir electricity bills. The Smart clamp can be deployedin a power cabinet to measure and monitor powerconsumption throughout circuits or the entire building.Smart ApplianceThe Smart Appliance is a cost-effective energymonitoring and management solution designed forHome Area Networks. It is a ZigBee-based plug-inpower meter that can help households and buildingowners save on their electricity bills. The devices allowthe users to measure the consumption of electricity forspecific electronic devices so that energy efficiency canbe improved.The device can also be controlled via the website toturn off appliances automatically.8 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGYSAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 9

The microinverterThe latest in solar technologyCALL NOW ON 1300 1MICRO / 1300 164 276sales@greenstarproducts.com.augreenstarproducts.com.au