Bonfiglioli Releases Utility Scale Solar PV Power Conversion System for North American Market

(Hebron, Kentucky, October 10, 2011) – Bonfiglioli USA, a Kentucky-based subsidiary of Bonfiglioli Group, is pleased to announce that it has released complete utility-scale solar PV power conversion system solutions for the North American market.  The new product line-up will be unveiled at the company’s exhibit at Solar Power International 2011, the nation’s largest solar power show, from Oct. 18 – 20 in Dallas, Texas.   The company’s exhibit at SPI (booth #1501) will be the RPS TL – US Series inverter, RPS Modular Outdoor, RPS Station, String Connection Box and RPS Log 1000.

The company’s system for North America, designed to meet the requirements of UL1741 standards, boasts the same technology as Bonfiglioli PV systems that are currently installed in Europe (including SunEdison’s 72MW plant in Rovigo, Italy, the largest in Europe).  Bonfiglioli’s utility-scale systems, supporting intelligent utility grid integration and management features, include:

·        RPS Station – a fully-integrated PV power conversion system that minimizes field installation time and maximizes uptime (1100 kWac to 1465 kWac, and capability up to 2MWac).  The complete station is factory assembled and the sealed structure offers two distinct advantages: it protects the equipment from the environment (resulting in less maintenance and a longer lifetime), and protects maintenance personnel from the elements.

·        RPS TL – a uniquely-designed, high-powered PV inverter system that provides maximum energy harvest (300 kWac to 1283 kWac).  The scalable, modular design provides one of the widest ranges of inverter ratings in the market, ensuring an optimal matching with any size array and maximum system reliability.  It is available in either Master-Slave or multi-MPPT configurations including floating or grounded arrays, optional E-house and medium voltage (MV) transformers - all packaged for fast deployment.

·        RPS Modular Outdoor – * NEW * to the North American market – highly efficient inverter modules for stand-alone outdoor installation.  Up to five transformerless inverters, each with a rated power rating of 200KWac are connected to the grid via an electrical substation and each module adapts optimally to its own respective PV field by means of its individual MPP.  Multiple modules enable installation on any type of terrain, allowing for optimized positioning and utilization of the PV system.   

·        RPS Log 1000 – a user-friendly data collection gateway for PV systems that monitors and stores the real-time performance of individual inverters, weather devices and sub-combiner boxes.  The link to live data is available remotely via the Bonfiglioli portal software from anywhere in the world at any time, to monitor efficiency and performance and to easily and securely diagnose malfunctions.

·        String Connection Box (SCB) – a key component of the overall solar power plant system, Bonfiglioli’s SCB is designed to optimize array cabling, reduce system downtime and improve maintenance for technical personnel over the complete operating temperature range (-25C to +50C).  The intelligent diagnostic capabilities add higher efficiency to the system, enhancing the overall performance and energy harvest of the PV power plant.

“Bonfiglioli is excited to bring our success in European PV plants to the North American market,” said Greg Schulte, President of Bonfiglioli USA.  “Our presence and know-how in the PV market is already highly respected in Europe, India and China and our PV products have been widely installed there.  It is exciting to bring this PV technology to the North American market and offer the same longevity, dependability and return on investment as our European and worldwide clients have enjoyed for some time.”

Anyone attending Solar Power International is invited to stop by the booth (#1501 in Hall B) for a tour and to learn more.  Visitors will be hosted by an expert team eager to introduce the company’s products and innovations for the photovoltaic market (appointments are encouraged).