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Home » Solar Energy » AC modules in solar technologies
AC modules in solar technologies
Let's start with the smart grid apps (interactive 2-way grid, intelligent monitoring, automated consumption, IP-enabled houses, etc). Early adopters who are using Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) funds are choosing hardware, software and communications technology well before most of the relevant standards have been settled. And the *risk* associated with selecting the wrong vendors or technologies is keeping a lot of people from participating, thereby delaying mainstream adoption of some very cool solar-related applications. If we only had the equivalent of something like IBM was in the PC industry…an organization that could dominate the establishment of standards (which I call intangibles). That would make solar a true game changer.
AC modules (which I think are truly awesome) would also be more acceptable to mainstream America if a dominant industry standard existed. With dominant standards, the potential disadvantages of AC panels (high tare loss and micro inverter replacement requires uninstalling the array back to the point of failure) would be quickly overlooked.
Although PV systems will soon be purchased at Home Depot or WalMart. Akeena Solar is now selling their AC modules (with Enphase micro inverters) through Lowe's Hardware. This allows the consumer to buy from someone they already know, which makes solar appear to be less risky. And that's a GREAT product intangible.
Still…despite all of the promise of emerging smart-grid and AC solar technologies, I don't see anything that provides the quantum leap in capability that the spreadsheet provided in the PC industry. Who knows what kind of productivity increases were realized when people switched from pencil and paper to spreadsheets. 2000%? 3000%? And it was so compelling that people immediately felt like they couldn't live without it.
There are some very promising applications for solar coming down the road. But solar is currently missing two key elements -- product intangibles and a compelling reason to buy. Things are getting better. But we have a LONG way to go.
AC modules (which I think are truly awesome) would also be more acceptable to mainstream America if a dominant industry standard existed. With dominant standards, the potential disadvantages of AC panels (high tare loss and micro inverter replacement requires uninstalling the array back to the point of failure) would be quickly overlooked.
Although PV systems will soon be purchased at Home Depot or WalMart. Akeena Solar is now selling their AC modules (with Enphase micro inverters) through Lowe's Hardware. This allows the consumer to buy from someone they already know, which makes solar appear to be less risky. And that's a GREAT product intangible.
Still…despite all of the promise of emerging smart-grid and AC solar technologies, I don't see anything that provides the quantum leap in capability that the spreadsheet provided in the PC industry. Who knows what kind of productivity increases were realized when people switched from pencil and paper to spreadsheets. 2000%? 3000%? And it was so compelling that people immediately felt like they couldn't live without it.
There are some very promising applications for solar coming down the road. But solar is currently missing two key elements -- product intangibles and a compelling reason to buy. Things are getting better. But we have a LONG way to go.
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