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.

sales@greenstarproducts.com.au

greenstarproducts.com.au

CALL NOW ON 1300 1MICRO / 1300 164 276

The microinverter The latest in solar technology