The safety of a photovoltaic system should be a priority for both the investor and the producers. Sungrow, one of the leaders in the photovoltaic industry, always puts safety first. No wonder the company created an innovative technology for rapid shutdown of PV systems in case of emergency. Most recently, Sungrow won the Safety and Security Award with its power optimizer’s rapid shutdown function.
The Firefighting Congress FIRE SECURITY EXPO 2023, which was held at the PGE Narodowy Stadium, took place on 27 July. It is one of the largest and most well-known events of the fire protection and security industry in Poland. During the Congress it was possible to get acquainted with the latest technologies and solutions in the field of fire safety. The issues discussed during the event are also extremely important for the safety of the use of photovoltaic systems. Sungrow is undoubtedly an industry pioneer in PV system safety. The company can boast an innovative technology, the rapid shutdown, which was recognized at the Congress.
Instant security system
Although fires in photovoltaic systems are extremely rare, the issue of safety cannot be ignored. Especially, it makes it more challenging for firefighting with potential safety risks arising from high DC voltage. Sungrow power optimizers are equipped with a rapid shutdown function. In the event of fire, it allows the voltage to be reduced to a safe level of 1 V per module in just 20 seconds. Power optimizers from Sungrow can work for photovoltaic chains, which consist of up to 30 modules. So, in case of a dangerous situation, the voltage of the panels will drop to a maximum of 30 V. Thanks to the voltage reduction, it is possible to extinguish the fire. This is difficult in PV installations without a rapid shutdown function, because extinguishing live electrical equipment is forbidden. During a firefighting operation, the primary task of firefighters is to disconnect the photovoltaic system. This reduces the risk of electric shock. The solution presented by Sungrow makes it much easier to carry out the whole operation in a safe way.
The power optimizer also has other interesting features. For example, if the system detects an electric arc, the device has the ability to automatically shut down the entire system within 20 seconds. The rapid function is also used when the user wants to actively shut down the installation. Although there is no risk, using this option makes the whole process much easier and safer. The power optimizer from Sungrow is also a guarantee of high quality. This device allows to increase the power generation from the PV plant by up to 30% and reduce losses already at the level of a single module. The company has created a product that is also extremely easy to assemble. Installation of Sungrow power optimizer takes only 30 seconds! This is possible thanks to the use of plug & play technology.
Sungrow has always put safety first, which makes it a leader in this area for years. This caught the attention of the organizers of the Fire Congress FIRE SECURITY EXPO 2023. They decided to reward the innovative solution, which allows you to shut down the PV system in just 20 seconds. This is definitely a step towards increasing the safety of use of the system, which in turn may influence the even greater diffusion of photovoltaics in the world.
About Sungrow
Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. (“Sungrow”) is the world’s most bankable inverter brand with over 340 GW installed worldwide as of December 2022. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions, NEV driving solutions, EV charging solutions and renewable hydrogen production systems. With a strong 26-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power over 150 countries worldwide. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com.