Sol-Ark goes with Enteligent for rapid shutdown, panel optimization

Announced at RE+ 2023 in Las Vegas, Sol-Ark says it has selected Enteligent’s NMax Rapid Shutdown with Optimization platform for its dc module-level power electronics (MLPE) product line.

Sol-Ark’s 0900-80V, powered by Enteligent, will fil a gap in the Sol-Ark product line and function as much more than a rapid shutdown device (RSD), and include features such as energy optimization and data monitoring.

“Initially, I was skeptical that panel-level optimization would provide any appreciable benefit over the string-level MPPT of the inverter and the PV module diodes, but once we tested Enteligent’s technology, we knew this product would be a game-changer,” said Tom Brennan, the CEO and CTO of Sol-Ark.

Sol-Ark’s testing indicates that the 0900-80V module, powered by Enteligent, provides between 25% and 38% more power during shady conditions.

How it works | The power optimization functionality of the Sol-Ark 900-80V, powered by Enteligent, is enabled only when necessary. The company says this maximizes energy efficiency while increasing device longevity. When shading, snow loads, differing angles of incidence, or other factors cause the output of PV modules to be different, the embedded microprocessor adjusts the current output of that PV module to maximize the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) both individually and the string as a whole.

“With Enteligent’s NMax Rapid Shutdown with Optimization solution, Sol-Ark can provide the most comprehensive product on the market to support solar panel installers and give their customers more options at an affordable price point,” said Sean Burke, the CEO and Co-founder of Enteligent. “Sol-Ark’s selection of our optimization platform validates our technology and its ability to increase energy harvesting.”

Panel-level data is transmitted over powerline communications (PLC), providing simple installation without the need for a wireless network or additional wire runs.

The data from the panels, which can be viewed on Sol-Ark’s PV Pro monitoring platform or a PC-connected Windows application, enables installers to troubleshoot performance issues, and empowers homeowners to track the performance.

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