Overview of high-power string inverters: Which manufacturers are leading the trend?

On-grid photovoltaic (PV) inverters have undergone rapid technological development since 2009.

Firstly, the highest efficiency has improved. Over a decade of development, the highest efficiency of inverters has reached over 99%. Secondly, with the continuous increase in power, the price of string inverters has been decreasing year by year, from the initial 2 CNY/W to 0.2 CNY/W.

The rapid decrease in system costs has had a significant impact on the subsequent market landscape of PV inverters. In the past, it was generally believed that centralized inverters were more suitable for centralized power plants, while string inverters were more suitable for distributed systems. Nowadays, such traditional thinking is also changing. Currently, PV power stations that pursue profitability and lean operation tend to choose high-power string inverters with advantages in increased power generation.

As a result, string inverters have begun to quickly take over.

·In 2016, the market share of string inverters in China was only 32%.

·In 2022, the market share of string inverters in China has increased to 78.3%.

While the penetration rate is increasing year by year, the industry has also put forward higher requirements for its power.

Before 2013, 20kW string inverters were considered high-power. In 2014, 28kW appeared, and the 40kW ones followed by in 2015, and the power increased at a rate of 10kW per year thereafter. Until 2017, the 1500V PV system promoted the breakthrough of 100kW inverters, later reaching 200kW and then 300kW.

High-power string inverters, rather than simply making centralized inverters smaller or string inverters larger, take into account the low cost of centralized inverters and the flexibility of small-power string inverters. It is a market-oriented product that has evolved in response to industry changes.

About two years ago, only a few manufacturers in China produced string inverters with a power output of over 200kW and even fewer released products with a power output of over 300kW. Nowadays, with the arrival of the era of grid parity, the 1500V system has become the standard design for large ground-mounted power plants. As one of the core equipment of the power plant, the electrical design of the 1500V 300kW+string PV inverter and its research on lower LCOE for the entire project have become crucial parts of power plant design.

This article has searched the official websites of mainstream inverter manufacturers in the global industry, aiming to bring together the leading players in high-power string inverters R&D and manufacturing.

Hopewind HSHV385K

Hopewind’s HSHV385K has the highest rated output power of 385kW in the industry, suitable for large ground-mounted power plants and high-voltage grid-connected industrial and commercial projects. With a maximum efficiency of 99.01% and an 8-MPPT design, it is suitable for complex environments, increasing power generation. Its MPPT current is 60A, making it fully compatible with 182mm and 210mm modules. Integrated PID repair function can improve the system’s power generation. The inverter doesn’t derate at up to 40℃, reducing power generation loss.

TBEA TS330KTL-HV-C

TS330KTL-HV-C1, maximum output power 363kW, maximum efficiency 99.02%, 6-MPPT design, MPPT current 65A, compatible with 182mm/210mm modules.

Sungrow SG320HX-20

The maximum output power of the SG320HX-20 string inverter reaches 352kW. The maximum efficiency shall not be less than 99%. Maximum 6 MPPTs, increasing power generation in complex terrain. Up to 30 inputs, suitable for different capacity ratio designs.

Solis G6-GU320K-EHV

G6-GU320K-EHV, the maximum output power of 352kW, 1500V DC input, and 800VAC output. The product has a maximum efficiency of 99%, 12/16-MPPT design, supports a maximum of 32 inputs, and a maximum current of 20A in a single string. It is compatible with high-power modules and supports 1.5 times of oversized installation design.

Goodwe GW320K-UT

GW320K-UT, maximum output power 352kW, maximum conversion efficiency 99.01%, maximum 15 MPPTs, increased power generation in complex terrain, single string maximum current 20A, compatible with 182mm and 210mm high power modules.

Chint CPS SCH320KTL

CPS SCH320KTL, maximum output power 352kW, maximum conversion efficiency not less than 99.04%, maximum 15 MPPTs, maximum DC input current 40A

 SOFAR 320KTLX0

SOFAR 320KTLX0, maximum output power 352kW, maximum efficiency 99.05%, supporting high current input, and compatible with 210mm/182mm PV modules, no system derating at 45℃, stable output with 1.1 times overload at 35℃, IP66&C5 protection design for the whole machine, suitable for various harsh environments.

Sineng SP-320K-H

SP-320K-H, maximum output power 352kW, maximum efficiency 99.02%, 12-MPPT design, suitable for complex environments, supporting PLC communication, and saving communication cable costs.

Fimer PVS-350-TL (Coming Soon)

PVS-350-TL, maximum output power 350kW, rated output power 333kW, maximum efficiency 99.02%, maximum 12-MPPT.

IngetamINGECON ®  SUN 330-350TL M12

INGECON ®  SUN 330-350TL M12, maximum output power 346kW, maximum efficiency 99.05%, maximum 12-MPPT, supports PID repair function, and Wi-Fi communication.

SolarEdge SE330KUS

SE330KUS (North American market), with a maximum output power of 330kW and a maximum efficiency of 99.2%, is an H1300 module level optimizer, paired with a virtual centralized topology to adapt to complex environments and significantly reduce BOS costs.

Huawei SUN2000-300KTL-H0

SUN2000-300KTL-H0 has a maximum output power of 330kW, a rated output power of 300kW, a maximum efficiency of 99.01%, and a maximum of 6 MPPTs.

Growatt MAX 175-230KTL3-X HV

MAX 175-230KTL3-X HV, maximum output power 253kW, maximum conversion efficiency 99%, up to 15-MPPT designs, suitable for complex application scenarios, maximum MPPT input current of 30A, compatible with high-power PV modules.