How The Microinverter Works; System Monitoring; Optimal Reliability; Ease Of Design - Siemens SMIINV215R60XX Installation And Operation Manual

How the Microinverter Works

The Siemens Microinverter maximizes energy production from your photovoltaic (PV) array. Each
Siemens Microinverter is individually connected to one PV module in your array. This unique
configuration means that an individual Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) controls each PV
module. This ensures that the maximum power available from each PV module is exported to the
utility grid regardless of the performance of the other PV modules in the array. That is, although
individual PV modules in the array may be affected by shading, soiling, orientation, or module
mismatch, the Siemens Microinverter insures top performance for its associated PV module. The
result is maximum energy production from your PV system.

System Monitoring

Indoors, you can install the Envoy Communications Gateway by plugging it into any convenient
120Vac wall socket and providing an Ethernet connection to your broadband router or modem.
After installation of the Envoy, the Siemens Microinverters automatically begin reporting to the
Enlighten web server. The Enlighten software presents current and historical system performance
trends, and it informs you when the PV system is not performing as expected.

Optimal Reliability

Microinverter systems are inherently more reliable than traditional inverters. The distributed
nature of a microinverter system ensures that there is no single point of system failure in the PV
system. Siemens Microinverters are designed to operate at full power at ambient temperatures as
high as 65° C (150° F). The inverter housing is designed for outdoor installation and complies
with the NEMA 6 environmental enclosure rating standard:
NEMA 6 rating definition: Indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of
protection against hose-directed water, and the entry of water during occasional
temporary submersion at a limited depth, and damage from external ice
formation.

Ease of Design

PV systems using Siemens Microinverters are very simple to design and install. You will not need
string calculations, and you can install individual PV modules in any combination of module
quantity, type, age and orientation. You won't need to install cumbersome centralized or string
inverters. Each microinverter quickly mounts on the PV racking, directly beneath each PV
module. Low voltage DC wires connect from the PV module directly to the co-located
microinverter, eliminating the risk of personnel exposure to dangerous 600 Vdc power.
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