Solarmagic recoups over 54 per cent of lost energy

Field trials at Hawi Energietechnik of Eggenfelden-Munich, Germany, have shown that National's Solarmagic power optimisers recouped 54.4 per cent of energy lost to partial shading in a solar array.

The field trial was conducted from April to May 2009.

National Semiconductor's Solarmagic power optimisers, built on National's analogue power management integrated circuits, improve the energy harvest of solar panels in real-world conditions, where shading and other issues can significantly reduce the performance of solar installations.

In the tests, a structure representing obstructions shaded a portion of a conventionally wired solar photovoltaic system.

Although 16 to 20 per cent of the array was shaded, it resulted in average power losses of nearly 28 per cent.

An identical solar array fitted with National's Solarmagic power optimisers produced on average between 7 and 21 per cent more electricity in the same conditions, effectively recouping 54.4 per cent of the lost power.

Installers throughout Europe can easily incorporate Solarmagic into new and existing installations, regardless of panel brand.

Hawi is an official distribution partner for Solarmagic power optimisers in Germany.

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