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The microinverter The latest in solar technology
SAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 1
Traditional inverter systems typically shut off during low-light conditions, as they require a minimum
amount of incoming power to operate efficiently
Microinverters fix this
Corporate profile Saving energy. Saving the world.
Greenstar is a privately owned company
and was created to meet the needs of the
renewable energy industry where missing
links were identified within the Australian
market. The philosophy behind the company
is to provide smart solar solutions and quality
products for the solar industry. Software
development, technical support and new
products are always at the forefront of the
company development.
With electrical and software engineering and
electrical expertise available to our clientele
allows a one stop shop when considering
providing your customers the newest in
solar technologies.
The key focus within the Research &
Development strategy was to look at new and
innovative products abroad and in-house to
implement them within Australia.
Traditional string systems are a thing of
the past when you look into the technology
advancement the overseas market embraces.
Limited system monitoring, products not built
to last to the lifetime of the modules and
traditional system reoccurring issues were
some of the major considerations our Research
& Development team took to their planning.
The microinverter technology, due to its ease
of installation, safety around fire hazards and
extra generation were a key consideration
when this product went into development.
Traditional systems cannot compare to this
technology.
Greenstar also have the capabilities and
expertise of staff to provide technical support
for the product ranges on offer when utilised in
projects of varying sizes.
With a dedicated team, all with a keen interest
in the renewable sector, makes the company
philosophy achievable and encourages them
to continually look for advancements for the
solar industry.
Don’t settle for a traditional string system.
Microinverters are the way of the future with a higher generation yield with a better investment for your future.
SAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 32 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
Microinverters The latest in solar technology
Microinverters
Microinverter technology is the latest in solar
technology to come to the Australian market.
The issues that traditional systems encounter,
shutting off during low-light conditions in early
morning and late evening or thick cloud cover –
microinverters eliminate this.
Microinverters operate individually so
shutdown due to shading, dirt or cloud cover
does not affect the whole system only the
affected panel and the remaining panels
perform at optimum. In low light conditions
generation continues to be highly efficient due
to the burst mode feature of the microinverter.
Maintaining the best warranties in the market
along with the quality of the design and
technology, the microinverter is here to take
the market to new heights.
With microinverters being a smart solar solution – why would you stick with your traditional string systems and not choose a microinverter system?
25 year warranty & safer installation
Finally it is here – the warranty built to last
the lifetime of the solar system.
Manufacturers are able to offer such an
attractive warranty on the microinverters due
to the way it works- the power passing through
it has lower voltage requirements compared
to a traditional inverter, hence enabling a
longer lifespan.
The product range of Greenstar microinverters
offers a 25 year warranty.
Safety plays a big part in any investment
made therefore you will feel comfort in a
microinverter installation. Microinverter
systems are AC based solar systems with
no high voltage DC wiring on rooftops. This
reduces the risks of shock and fire that may be
present within a traditional system.
The microinverters being an AC based system
and the features it holds, shuts down if there
is a fault or disconnection in the wiring. Unlike
traditional systems being a DC based system
with live voltage as long as the sun is shining
and as a result, faults or disconnections can
create continuous arc faults.
Extra generation
Microinverters can produce from
5%-25% more extra generation than
a traditional system.
The main advantages of microinverters are
working individually avoiding the traditional
inverter weakness where the system will
deliver the generation decided by the weakest
module. Partial shading, dust particles or
obstructions would be a major problem for
a full system, but individual microinverters
eliminate this, creating extra generation within
individual modules. Positive tolerances within
the modules are also captured through extra
generation as the microinverter works each
module to its highest optimum.
Another notable advantage is the safe AC
voltage distribution. Unlike the traditional
string systems, where DC voltage is distributed
across the roofline, microinverters eliminate
this and are a safer option for those
considering a solar solution.
Therefore as a result microinverters are a
highly reliable product and with warranties
that match the lifetime of the modules this
is the solar technology the Australian
market should be striving for.
A recent study completed, found that by installing a microinverter system, the generation yield on average was more than 16% than the traditional inverter.”
SAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 54 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
Traditional inverter system
Microinverter systemMicroinverters allow each solar panel to operate independently and control the power
from each with 95.5% accuracy. This results in a significant increase in the performance
of the entire system. Greenstar microinverter have unparalleled reliability with a mean
time between failures of 120 years. This reliability and the reduction of a single point
of failure is the reason Greenstar provide a 25 year warranty. The inverter designs to
operate in real world conditions from -40°C to +85°C and achieve a peak efficiency of
94.1% for high reliability over the temperature range.
50% 50% 50%
100% 100% 50%
BLOCKAGE
BLOCKAGE
SOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3
SOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3
50% 50% 50%
100% 100% 50%
BLOCKAGE
BLOCKAGE
SOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3
SOLAR PANEL 1 SOLAR PANEL 2 SOLAR PANEL 3
✔
✘
✔
✘Independent control
MODEMECU-3
POWER
SWITCHBOARD
MICROINVERTERS
CABLING
SOLAR PANELS
A microinverter is bolted to the back of each solar module, connects to each individually
and converts DC power to grid-compliant AC power straight off the module.
The ECU-3 (Energy Communication Unit) then communicates with each microinverter
and transmits performance data to an internet based website.
Greenstar customers can visit the Power Tracker website where they can monitor and
manage their solar electricity systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Greenstar look to provide smart solar solutions to the Australian market.
Using a traditional inverter modules are wired in series and the lowest
performing module determines the performance of the entire system. Systems
are constantly affected by environmental factors, such as shade, dust and debris,
therefore the traditional system can be affected as opposed to the microinverter systems.
This is commonly known as the “Christmas light effect”.
String inverter microinverter
Failu
re R
ate
String inverters Microinverters
Installed 3,373 10,630
Replaced 318 22
0%
5%
10% 9.43%
0.207%
Failure rates
SAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 76 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
The top 10 benefits
1 Significantly increased energy harvest
2 25 year warranty
3 Improved safety eliminating use of high voltage DC
4 Faster ROI on cost of solar photovoltaic systems
5 Comprehensive web based monitoring
6 Communications systems that analyzes and reports the
performance of each solar module with the PV array to enable
system performance optimization
7 Increased inverter reliability to match the life of solar modules
8 No more expensive DC electrical materials
9 Ease of installation
10 Simplification of PV array design
Microinverters are proven highly efficient, easy to install and guaranteed for 25 years matching the lifetime of solar panels.
Greenstar - a smarter solar solutionGS250The GS250 is a grid tied microinverter that
offers a high level of intelligence and features
that enable the microinverter to enhance solar
generation. The GS250 is easy to install and is
bolted to the back of each solar module. Power
is converted from DC to grid-compliant AC
straight off the solar module. The Greenstar
range of microinverters communicate through
the Greenstar ECU transmitting system
performance data and trends back to the Power
Tracker website. The GS250 is designed for
compatibility with most 60-72 cell PV modules
and up to 22 units can be daisy chained together
per branch. Offering the best microinverter
warranty on the market of 25 years, Greenstar is
the range for you.
GS500The GS500 is a grid tied microinverter that
offers a high level of intelligence and features
that enable the microinverter to enhance solar
generation. The GS500 is essentially two GS250
microinverters in the one housing to reduce costs
and installation time. Each panel still operates
individually to enhance solar generation. The
GS500 is easy to install and is bolted to the back
of each solar module. Power is converted from
DC to grid-compliant AC straight off the solar
module. The Greenstar range of microinverters
communicate through the Greenstar ECU
transmitting system performance data and
trends back to the Power Tracker website. The
GS500 is designed for compatibility with most
60-72 cell PV modules and up to 11 units can be
daisy chained together per branch. Offering the
best microinverter warranty on the market of 25
years, Greenstar is the range for you.
Microinverter Label KitsIncludes all of the relevant AC labels required by
legislation for a microinverter install.
ECU-3The Greenstar ECU, an internet gateway, is
engineered to communicate with the range of
Greenstar microinverters. The communication
transmits the systems performance data and
trends back to the Power Tracker website
Although not mandatory, it is recommended
each microinverter installation has a Greenstar
ECU to provide access to customers for visibility
of live and historical data on their systems
performance and trends.
Protective End CapProtective end caps are required within a
microinverter installation. These are positioned
on the end of the AC microinverter cabling at the
end of each row of solar modules. This end plug
is a screw on cap and an essential part of your
materials kit.
Interconnect CableInterconnect cabling connects each row of the
Greenstar microinverters to the AC junction
box and isolator. Depending on your module
positioning, each row will require an interconnect
cable. Interconnect cabling can be utilised from
the first inverter through to the AC isolator.
Greenstar offer the cabling in both a 2m & 4m
interconnect to assist you with your installation.
SAVING ENERGY. SAVING THE WORLD. 98 THE LATEST IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
Power Tracker monitoring Stay in control
Power Tracker has joined forces with Greenstar
to develop a free monitoring platform for
solar owners to track the performance of
their solar systems.
The Power Tracker website talks directly with
the Greenstar ECU-3 via the internet.
The website allows each user to build their
own user interface to suit their needs. The
website stores a wide range a values from each
microinverter from voltage, temperature and
power output and stores this data historical for
the user to view.
Power Trackers system can also monitor the
solar system for you. If you have panels that
stop performing at the expected levels the
website can generate email notifications.
The large range of graphs and charts allow
the users to easily indentify underperforming
panels and to ensure that their system is
always working to its maximum potential.
Power Tracker products Optimum performance
Smart Energy Gateway
The Smart Energy Gateway is an all-in-one router
designed for users to enjoy real-time power
management and secured wireless Internet access.
Integrated with ZigBee technology, the Smart Energy
Gateway can communicate wirelessly with devices such
as the Smart Clamp and Smart Appliance.
The Smart Energy Gateway pushes all the recorded
data to the Power Tracker website so users can
remotely monitor energy consumption and manage
their appliances.
Smart Clamp
The Smart Clamp is a cost-effective energy monitoring
and management solution designed for Home Area
Networks. It is a ZigBee-based clamp-on power meter
that can help households and building owners save on
their electricity bills. The Smart clamp can be deployed
in a power cabinet to measure and monitor power
consumption throughout circuits or the entire building.
Smart Appliance
The Smart Appliance is a cost-effective energy
monitoring and management solution designed for
Home Area Networks. It is a ZigBee-based plug-in
power meter that can help households and building
owners save on their electricity bills. The devices allow
the users to measure the consumption of electricity for
specific electronic devices so that energy efficiency can
be improved.
The device can also be controlled via the website to
turn off appliances automatically.
greenstarproducts.com.au
CALL NOW ON 1300 1MICRO / 1300 164 276
The microinverter The latest in solar technology