What is important about inverters for PV systems on industrial roofs and SMA solutions – a comment from Filkab Solar

Variable slopes, uneven sunshine and the need for a reliable connection to the internal grid – industrial rooftops rarely offer a predictable operating environment for photovoltaic systems. In such conditions, standard inverters are not enough. It is for these scenarios  that SMA Sunny Tripower Core1 and Core2 have been developed – On-grid inverters designed for stable and efficient operation under high loads and complex configurations. The solutions are from the German company SMA Solar Technology, and Filkab Solar is the official distributor for Bulgaria. "The choice of an inverter is an important stage in the design of a photovoltaic system on an industrial roof. Both the electrical compatibility and the possibilities for optimization and control of the system depend on it," Filkab Solar, part of the Filkab business group, commented to BalkanEngineer.com.

What is important when choosing an inverter for industrial roofing systems?

Industrial rooftop photovoltaic systems are designed for different conditions than residential ones. Typically, a larger installed power is deployed on uneven surfaces – with different slopes, shading, temperature zones and mechanical constraints. This requires the choice of an inverter to be made not only according to the rated power, but on the basis of specific technical criteria.

In this context, a good inverter for PV systems on industrial roofs should be able to work with differently lit areas – which means that it is important to have more than one MPPT tracker. This allows it to optimize individual groups of panels independently, so that there are no losses if some of them temporarily fall into the shadows. It is also looking for an opportunity to connect panels with a total power greater than the rated power of the inverter itself – the so-called "inverter". "DC resizing". The idea is simple: in the morning and in the afternoon, when the sun is weaker, the system will still work fully.

Another important criterion is stability – the inverter must cope with dust, high temperatures and constant load. In terms of industrial sites, this is a daily occurrence.

Another important aspect is the ability of the inverter to "talk" to the rest of the systems in the building. "If the site has a SCADA, BMS or some energy management solution, communication between them should be easy and secure. For this, open communication protocols and remote access are used for monitoring, diagnosis and adjustment. In this way, in addition to facilitating control, time and money are saved in maintenance," said Filkab Solar.

It should also not be forgotten that industrial systems often expand over time. Therefore, it is important that inverters offer good scalability and easy integration with existing electrical infrastructure – including transformers, generators or backup sources. "The most important thing is to choose a solution that corresponds well to the specific site and to the actual work on the ground. Therefore, we always recommend looking at the system as a whole – not looking only for components, but thinking about the overall energy architecture," advised Filkab Solar.

Photo source: Filkab Solar, ©Engineer.BG via Canva.com