Smart Partnership Brings Smart Solar to Fiji

What makes this large commercial project leading edge is the fact that it utilizes the first-ever intelligent inverter system installed in Fiji. The solar PV system is powered by world-class modern inverters and power optimizers. The inverters are the “brain” of the system and manage production. Therefore, the inverter selection is critical for the long-term financial performance of a PV system, as it can maximize energy production and reduce lifetime costs.

VES’ Engineering Consultant, Channa Silva explains, “The intelligent inverter solution has changed the way power is harvested and managed in solar systems worldwide. Traditional string inverter technology is limited by the system’s weakest panel’s power output. The intelligent system eliminates the risk of shade or equipment failure on one panel impacting the output of the entire structure.”

Intelligent Inverter Technology to Eliminate Limitations in Traditional Inverter Systems

The smart inverter technology VES utilizes surpasses conventional PV systems in many ways:

Independent Panel Energy Production: This cutting edge technology enables each panel in the system to produce power independently. Traditional technology is limited by the lowest-performing module (due to shade or malfunction), which affects the overall power generation capacity of the entire string of panels. With this innovative technology, each module can produce power at different levels making it a more efficient system.

Increased Energy Yield: Because the system is not maxed out by the energy production of the lowest producing panel, the system as a whole produces more energy.

Higher ROI: The increased overall energy yield is a key feature in this technology, making it the best solution to ensure higher returns on investment. Simply put, the more kilowatt-hours of electricity the system produces, over the same period of time, the higher the return on the initial capital investment. Producing more kWh for the same initial investment cost-effectively eliminates inflationary risk and reduces the investors’ electricity rates ($/kWh.)

Ease of Maintenance: Because the panels produce energy independently, it is also easier to isolate and repair individual panels if there is damage or a malfunction.

Efficient Design & Space Utilization: The smart inverter technology allows a wide variety of options on how the panels are strung together. The size and layout of a smart solar system is not limited like a traditional inverter system. There is much more flexibility with regard to string length and panel size, type, orientation and tilt variances.

Precise Performance Tracking and Troubleshooting: Full visibility of system performance panel by panel. Online monitoring allows 24/7 system monitoring and remote troubleshooting if there is an error.

Lower Operations & Maintenance Costs: The ability to monitor and reset the system remotely means fewer trips to the project site. Detecting issues early will reduce downtime and allow for minor maintenance upkeep to be done quickly to ensure longer and better-performing equipment.

Advanced Safety Features: A built-in panel-level safety feature minimizes electrocution risk for installers, maintenance crews, and emergency personnel. When the inverter is shut down, power optimizers are designed to automatically switch into safety mode reducing the power output to only 1V per panel, well within safety standards even for large systems.

Ease of Expansion: Smart inverter cost 40% less than tradition making replacement cheaper. Replacement panels do not need to match panels available at system installation, therefore there is no need to keep an inventory, simply purchase what is available in the future. Likewise, newer versions of power optimizers can be used in the same string with older models.

Being socially and environmentally responsible

Jack’s Group of Companies, Group Commercial Manager, Mr. Ronald Nair expressed his motivations for investing in solar, “It seemed like the right thing to do for our employees, customers, and nation, not to mention the planet! Consumers have a lot of choices and being a socially and environmentally responsible company is one of Jack’s competitive differentiators. Tourists and locals will hopefully notice and appreciate our efforts to invest in clean energy production.”

Solar electricity now competes directly with fossil fuel-based energy sources. VES is proud to power Fiji sustainably, by bringing advanced solar technologies to the region. Let’s discuss your unique project requirements to determine if smart solar makes sense for you!