Amidst the global energy structure transformation, photovoltaic (PV) inverters, as key devices connecting solar panels to the power grid, are becoming increasingly important. PV inverters not only convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for grid use but also optimize the power generation efficiency of PV systems through Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology. With technological advancements and cost reductions, string inverters have rapidly risen in the photovoltaic market due to their flexibility and efficiency, becoming the mainstream choice.

Market Status and Technical Features of String Inverters

1. Market Size, Growth Trends, and Market Share

According to market research, the Chinese inverter market size reached 248.9GW in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 136.1%. It is expected that from 2024 to 2026, the compound annual growth rate of the inverter market will reach 44%. Due to their technological advantages and cost-effectiveness, string inverters are expected to continue to grow in market share, approaching 80%. In 2023, the newly installed capacity of Chinese string inverters was 186.9GW, accounting for 75.1% of the overall inverter market.

2. Overview of String Inverters

String inverters are devices that connect photovoltaic panels in series to form strings, which are then connected to the power grid through inverters. They can be in series the appropriate number of photovoltaic panels into strings based on the rated input voltage of the inverter to achieve optimal electrical energy conversion. The core function of string inverters includes Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology, which can monitor and adjust the operating point of the photovoltaic array in real-time to ensure maximum energy output. The importance of MPPT technology lies in its ability to adapt to changes in external temperature, lighting, and load, ensuring the optimization of photovoltaic cell output characteristics.

3. Application of Power Devices (especially Sic Devices) and Efficiency Improvement

With the application of Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials in the field of photovoltaic inverters, conversion efficiency has been significantly improved. SiC materials have lower conduction resistance, gate charge, and reverse recovery charge characteristics. Photovoltaic inverters using SiC-Mosfet or a combination of SiC-Mosfet and SiC-SBD can increase conversion efficiency from 96% to over 99%, reduce energy loss by more than 50%, and extend the service life of the equipment by 50 times.

Future Development Trends of String Inverters

The future development trends of string inverters will focus on technological progress, market expansion, and policy support. With further maturation of technology and reduction of costs, the string inverter market is expected to continue its growth momentum. This can be specifically reflected in:

1. High-voltage (1500V) replacement trend: With the continuous advancement of photovoltaic module technology, high-voltage (1500V) string inverters are gradually becoming the mainstream trend in the market, occupying a larger market share.

2. Popularization and impact of silicon carbide devices: The high efficiency and reliability of silicon carbide devices will further enhance the performance level of inverters, promoting the photovoltaic industry to develop towards a more efficient and reliable direction.

3. Development direction of intelligent and efficient management: In the future, intelligent string inverters will become the standard configuration of photovoltaic systems, bringing a more efficient and convenient management method to the industry. By integrating intelligent sensors, remote monitoring, and data analysis functions, string inverters can achieve real-time monitoring, fault warning, and remote maintenance, improving the reliability and maintenance efficiency of the system.

Conclusion

String inverters, with their efficient, convenient, and reliable characteristics, have rapidly risen and dominated the photovoltaic market. In the future, with the popularization of high-voltage components, the application of silicon carbide devices, and the development of intelligent management, string inverters will usher in a broader development prospect. The photovoltaic inverter market will show a development trend of being more efficient, high-power density, highly reliable, and low-cost, injecting new momentum into the development of renewable energy.

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● The MAX656CPD is a boost type, fixed 1.15V to 1.56V, 170mA output, 5V PDIP-14 DC-DC converter manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated, known for its switching controller with a voltage-mode operation and an 18kHz maximum switching frequency.

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