New Industry Products

Power-One Aurora Inverters Now Available In North America For 3 - 4.2kW PV Installations

March 16, 2009 by Jeff Shepard

Power-One, Inc. announced the availability of three new series in its Aurora® family of renewable-energy inverters for North American installations. These grid-connected products, having already demonstrated acceptance in European markets, are said to offer what is described as a unique combination of ultra-high efficiencies, installer-friendly designs, long service life, and competitive initial acquisition costs; significantly increasing return on investment in photovoltaic installations from 3kW to 4.2kW.

The Aurora PVI-3.0, PVI-3.6, and PVI-4.2 series provide 208 and 277Vac single-phase and 240Vac (split phase) outputs rated at 3.0, 3.6, and 4.2kW; at up to 96.8% efficiency (CEC 96%). Other features include full-rated output power available up to 50°C ambient, and a 90 to 580Vdc input range. Applications flexibility is enhanced by optional parallel-array-input configuration capabilities, and input-blocking diodes on PVI-4.2 models.

These latest-generation Aurora products offer dual-input sections with independent, high-speed MPPTs that optimize energy harvesting from multiple PV strings oriented in different directions. Additional features include: grid-connected operation certified to international standards, integrated RS-485 and USB serial communications, IP65 (NEMA 4) rated enclosures, with or without integrated dc input disconnect switches.

The three new additions to the Aurora offering are also available as a -W version for small wind applications.