New Industry Products

Magnetek Unveils PVI-3600 Aurora PV Solar Inverter

October 12, 2005 by Jeff Shepard

Magnetek Inc. (Chatsworth, CA), a manufacturer of digital power products for communications, information technology, alternative energy, power generation, transportation and commercial fuel cells, unveiled the first of a new line of Aurora® photovoltaic (PV) inverters, the PVI-3600, which is suitable for residential and commercial applications. The Aurora PVI-3600 indoor inverter redefines weight, size, and performance in solar power installations.

Designed to meet the 2005 National Electrical Code and Underwriters Laboratory standards for the US market, the Aurora PVI-3600 inverter features ultra-high power density in terms of weight and volume. It also incorporates state-of-the-art silicon power devices such as silicon-carbide diodes, CoolMOS™, and insulated gate bi-polar transistors that minimize switching losses and total harmonic distortion. Delivering continuous power output of 3,600 W at 40 °C, and peak power conversion efficiency in excess of 96 percent, the PVI-3600 is expected to achieve a California Energy Commission efficiency rating of at least 94.5 percent.

The Aurora PVI-3600 inverter has been designed with a 25-year mean time between failure on all critical components, resulting in a robust product built to last while delivering true maximum output power on a continuous basis. Weighing less than 17 lbs, the Aurora PVI-3600 indoor model is compact and offers IP21 (NEMA 2) enclosure protection and a slim 2.25 in deep design for installation in hallways or modern garages of new home developments. The product allows end-users to monitor the performance of their solar systems in real time. An onboard data logger comes standard, and additional options for user interface and remote communication are available. Adoption of the inverter requires the use of upgraded PV interconnect cables that are currently being certified.