PV Powered Solar Inverters are User-friendly and UL98 code-compliant

Oregon is the leading solar manufacturing state in the nation, and PV Powered is an integral part of the state’s renewable energy success.  The company manufactures solar inverters for grid-tied solar power systems.  PV Powered claims to be:

“the leader in grid-tied solar inverter reliability, installability and maintainability.”

Earlier this year, PV Powered announced the introduction of user-friendly solar inverters that make installation less expensive and more simple, and also are UL 98 code-compliant.  Looks like Oregon is going to continue to lead the nation in solar!

Here’s a video showing installation of an “ordinary” grid-tied solar inverter:

A user-friendly, reliable solar inverter system is necessary

So, what is different with the solar inverter from PV Powered?  As explained on its website:

“The new feature is a single-knob AC/DC disconnect with a wire raceway. This enhancement, integrated into the company’s inverters, eliminates the need for extra conduit and hardware, thereby saving installation materials and labor costs. The wire raceway provides for isolation of the DC, AC and low voltage DC connections per the NEC (National Electric Code) requirements, with generous working room for installers’ hands and tools. The PV system disconnect hardware and enclosure assembly has received extensive testing under extreme conditions, and is the first to have passed the strict UL 98 standard for switches. The UL98 standard is specifically written for enclosed and dead front switches, providing inspectors with a recognized standard for safety and reliability.”

In short, the solar inverter is easier to install.  Less equipment is required, and you may even be able to do it yourself.  Perhaps more impressive is the fact that the inverter meets the UL 98 (Underwriters Laboratories) standard for switches.  Being able to flip a switch (that is both safe and reliable) makes owning and operating a solar power system simpler.

The complexity of going solar is one thing that stops many people from installing panels on their roofs.  Solar inverters from PV Powered should reduce that barrier.

If you purchase one of these inverters, you won’t be the only satisfied customer.  Kirk Mulligan of Clean Power Systems praised:

”We have been waiting for PV Powered to add an integrated disconnect, and I have to say it was well worth the wait.  Their new solution delivers the level of engineering elegance and reliability that we have come to expect from them.”

Are you ready for an easy PV installation that not only operates well, but looks good?  The new PV Powered solar inverter has a flush side to side mounting that provides a nice, clean installation.  But its user-friendly aspects may be the biggest selling point.

What do you think?  Would you finally go solar with the inverters offered by PV Powered?

Barack Obama meets with PV Powered's CEO Gregg Patterson

Living in the state of Oregon is pretty much a “green” experience.  Even my Central Oregon hometown, Bend, is in the news frequently with respect to solar power and other renewable energy sources.  Among several leading companies in this sector is PV Powered, a photovoltaics engineering company which designs and manufactures solar inverters.  Based on Bend, Oregon, PV Powered focuses its production on both residential and commercial solar inverters.  Since we have 300 days of sunshine a year here, it seems appropriate that a solar energy company would be based in Central Oregon!

What is a solar inverter, you ask?  Well, it is the key component to of a solar power system.  Solar panels can gather the energy from the sun, but to convert it to useable electricity, you need a solar inverter.  PV Powered is a leader in the solar inverter market.  Its slogan is:

“Simply More Reliable Solar”

The following video describes the basic process by which DC (direct current) is converted into AC (alternating current) through a solar inverter:

As pictured above, PV Powered welcomed presidential candidate Barack Obama back in May 2008.  Obama used his tour of PV Powered as the basis of a press conference at which he discussed the future of solar energy and other renewable energy resources.  As a result, many more people became aware of PV Powered’s work on solar inverters.

Residential solar inverter

In September 2008, PV Powered was awarded $5 million under the Solar Grid Integration System program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy.  The goal of the program is to “develop advanced inverters” and other components that will reduce the overall cost of solar electricity, enable grid penetration and increase PV system reliability.  This ties into the Solar America Initiative under which solar electric technologies shall be cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by 2015.

PV Powered’s CEO, Gregg Patterson, had this to say about the award:

“PV Powered is honored to be selected by Sandia and the US DOE for this highly competitive program.  The SEGIS program is a perfect complement to the industry-leading inverter reliability work we pioneered with Boeing as part of an earlier SAI program.”

Obviously, even the federal government agrees that PV Powered is a leader in solar inverters.

Quick facts about PV Powered:

• Founded in 2003
• Based in Bend, Oregon
• Largest US-based manufacturer of solar power inverter technology
• PV Powered products are UL listed and designed for highest reliability
• PV Powered’s inverters have the highest efficiency ratings in the solar market
• Thousands of PV Powered’s products are in use across the nation

Since I am fortunate enough to live in the same city in which PV Powered is based, I have the ability to stay up to date on news related to the company, solar inverters, and even rub shoulders with some of the PV Powered employees at local events!  If only I could have scored a ticket to see Barack Obama’s tour of the plant…..

Well, better luck for me in 2012!