New Industry Products

Xantrex Expands Solar Grid Tie Product Line With Introduction of 3.8 kW Inverter

July 19, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

Xantrex Technology Inc. has expanded its North American solar product line to include the GT 3.8 Grid Tie Solar Inverter. Xantrex GT Series Inverters efficiently convert direct current (dc) power from solar panels into high-quality alternating current (ac) power for the electricity grid. The GT 3.8 is the latest addition to the Xantrex GT Series Grid Tie Solar Inverters, which also include the GT 2.5, GT 3.0, and GT 3.3. This wider product range offered by Xantrex gives system integrators and installers the ability to better meet the capacity requirements of a broad spectrum of solar system sizes.

Xantrex designed the GT 3.8 to allow installers to use a 20A output current breaker. Two GT 3.8 inverters will fit on a standard 200A service panel without exceeding the NEC limit of 25% of service panel rating from current sources. The GT 3.8 can be used with all other GT models in multi-unit installations to customize the system size with the solar array.

"Xantrex has again delivered an outstanding inverter, which builds on the value and reliability of its GT Series Inverters," said Mike Hall, Chief Marketing Officer at Borrego Solar. "At 95% CEC efficiency, the GT 3.8 really helps home owners maximize their rebates and energy output. We are very excited about this new inverter."

Xantrex uses a highly disciplined approach to design its grid tie solar inverters for high efficiency, long life and reliability. The inverter components were tested extensively with Highly Accelerated Life Test (HALT) methods, which expose the components to extreme thermal and mechanical conditions that go beyond conventional testing methods typically used by other inverter manufacturers. The result is rugged, top-quality products that are built to withstand all types of environments, and all of that technology is incorporated into a sleek, compact design that makes installation quick and easy. The broad dc input range and wide photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) range also make Xantrex GT Series Inverters compatible with a wide variety of solar panels available from all the leading manufacturers.