Lowering the Cost of Solar

The SolarBridge AC Module System reduces the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for a solar installation by as much as 25 percent:

• Lower upfront costs. With plug-and-play AC modules, system installers are no longer constrained by string designs or the need to design systems into coplanar arrays. Because the SolarBridge Pantheon microinverter ships preinstalled as part of an AC module, there is no need to install a central inverter or attach numerous microinverters to the racking system – a significant reduction in labor time and cost. And because the output from the module is AC, components found in traditional systems, such as DC wiring, DC circuit breakers, and DC disconnect switches, are eliminated, further reducing costs and improving reliability.

• Lower operating costs. SolarBridge Pantheon microinverters have the same lifetime as a solar module – and are covered by the same warranty as the module. Central inverters and detached microinverters typically come with a five- to 10-year warranty, and the system owner will need to replace them once or twice during the life of a system. In addition, if a module fails in a traditional system utilizing a central inverter, it needs to be replaced with a module with the same mechanical and electrical characteristics. Module manufacturers can either perform costly rework on the failed module or stock their warehouses with a supply of modules from previous generations - a costly solution. With AC modules, this issue disappears. Because the AC outputs from AC modules are paralleled, mixing module types and technologies is now possible. Current generation panels with the highest efficiency and lowest cost can be used to replace failed modules from a previous generation.