Chilicon/Intertek Certifies the CP-250E Micro-Inverter as UL 1741 SA Smart Inverter
; Date: November 17, 2017
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California Rule 21 phase 1 requirements took effect in September 2017, meaning that solar inverter makers are required to achieve UL1741SA certification to continue selling inverters in California. The phase 1 requirements, a.k.a. the autonomous functions, mean that the inverter can automatically, without any intervention by a human, take actions to support the grid in case local grid conditions go wrong. Those functions are as described by Chilicon in the press release below. What's interesting is they could implement the update without changing the control board -- it's just a software change.
Over the next year or two further requirements, phases 2 and 3, will kick in requiring communication across the Internet with cloud systems for command/control of inverter capabilities. The goal is even more support of electricity grid reliability as well as orchestrating energy production and energy storage systems to time-shift electricity produced from renewable resources to other times of the day.
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chilicon Power, designer and manufacturer of grid-interactive inverter and monitoring solutions, announced today that the company's CP-250E is compliant with the smart grid requirements in California (UL 1741 SA/Rule 21). This makes the CP-250E the only US manufactured grid support compliant inverter, and the only microinverter (USA or foreign) to be compliant in both 208V three phase and 240V split phase grid formats.
The CP-250E outputs up to 289 continuous Watts of power and is compatible with 60 and 72 cell modules. Per 1741SA it can supply leading or lagging reactive VAr on demand, and is capable of riding-through grid frequency and voltage anomalies in order to assist the grid in maintaining stability. Chilicon's patented frequency-domain control methodology allowed these upgrades to be performed with firmware modifications and saved Chilicon vast sums of R&D spending by avoiding a complete hardware revision cycle.
"It's great to spend on resources where it counts, smart monitoring features, reliable equipment, and world class customer support," says Alex Kral Co-Founder of Chilicon Power.
"Customers in all 50 states + Canada have been gravitating to our platform due to its superior monitoring capabilities, ease of setup, SKU reduction, reliability, and the fact that we are the only made in USA inverter company," commented Dr. Christopher R. Jones, co-founder of Chilicon Power.
UL 1741 SA is a standard that lays out the manufacturing and product testing requirements with the goal of producing inverters more capable of riding through grid excursions or even actively managing grid reliability functions.
Rule 21 is a tariff that describes the interconnection, operating and metering requirements for generation facilities to be connected to a utility's distribution system, over which the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has jurisdiction. In other words, Rule 21 lays out the specific parameter settings to be used with the test methods of UL 1741 SA in the state of California.
About Chilicon Power
Founded in 2009 by former NASA engineers, Chilicon Power manufactures the world's most technologically advanced microinverter system.
http://www.chiliconpower.com
The CP-250E produces 289W of continuous output for 60 and 72 cell modules, providing unparalleled reliability and efficiency. Backed by a 25-year warranty, this powerful inverter contains no electrolytic components and performs exceptionally well in hot climates.
The CP-100 Gateway features an attractive 7" touch screen with a color graphic display that can easily be flush mounted onto a wall. Powered by an extremely robust PLC, the Gateway communicates seamlessly with the inverters, reducing troubleshooting issues down the road. Its smart features- you can set up the entire array on site- allows for the fastest setup and commissioning in the industry. The Gateway also offers total energy consumption and home security options, along with a self-supply mode that allows you to match the local load without exporting to the grid.
The only USA manufactured microinverter, Chilicon Power has experienced tremendous growth over the past two years and is excited to unveil its new generation of inverters (the CP-720) in early 2018.
SOURCE Chilicon Power
