Chapter 1: Introducing the SolarEdge Power
Harvesting System
The SolarEdge power harvesting solution maximizes the power output from any type of solar
Photovoltaic (PV) installation while reducing the average cost per watt. The following sections describe
each of the system's components.
Figure 1: The SolarEdge power harvesting system components
Power Optimizer
The p ower optimizers are DC-DC converters connected to PV modules in order to maximize power
harvesting by performing independent Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) at the module level.
The power optimizers regulate the string voltage at a constant level, regardless of string length and
environmental conditions.
The power optimizers include a safety voltage function that automatically reduces the output of each
power optimizer to 1 Vdc in the following cases:
During fault conditions
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The power optimizers are disconnected from the inverter
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The inverter ON/OFF switch is turned OFF
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The safety switch on the DC Safety Unit is turned OFF
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The inverter AC breaker is turned OFF
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Each power optimizer also transmits module performance data over the DC power line to the inverter.
Two types of power optimizers are available:
Module Add-on power optimizer – connected to one or more modules
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Smart m odules - t he p ower optimizer is embedded into a module
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SolarEdge Inverter
The SolarEdge inverter efficiently converts DC power from the modules into AC power that can be fed
into the main AC service of the site and from there to the grid. The inverter also receives the monitoring
data from each power optimizer and transmits it to a central server (the SolarEdge monitoring platform;
requires Internet connection).
Monitoring Platform
The m onitoring platform enables monitoring the technical and financial performance of one or more
SolarEdge sites. It provides past and present information on the system performance both at the system
and module levels.
Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology Installation MAN-01-250-1.2
Chapter 1: Introducing the SolarEdge Power Harvesting System
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