• Photovoltaics
• Concentrating Solar Power
• Systems Integration
  • Technology Development
  • Grid Integration
    • Grid Integration Systems
  • System Testing & Demonstration
  • Hardware Evaluation & Reliability
  • Systems Analysis
  • Solar Resource Assessment
  • Codes & Standards

Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems Industry Projects

Through industry partnerships, the Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) activities are developing advanced systems and technologies that enable the electrical power grids to handle large amounts of photovoltaics (PV), or solar electricity.

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) awarded 12 companies (PDF 1.8 MB), through Sandia National Laboratories, with financial assistance to develop a smarter grid, which includes more interactive components and systems that will help solar energy achieve grid parity by 2015. Download Adobe Reader.

As recipients of Solar Program funding, each company completed Stage 1 conceptual designs and market analysis. Then each project was evaluated on its likelihood of success and the potential for commercialization, prior to receiving a second round of funding. In September 2010, the following four organizations were awarded additional funding. The list of awardees and descriptions of their projects follow, as well as the original 2008 awardees and the 2009 Stage II awardees.

Stage III Awardees

Florida Solar Energy Center of the University of Central Florida ($660,329)

Cocoa, Florida

This project focuses on the implementation of a larger shared inverter serving multiple residential or commercial PV systems. The demonstration will feature a suite of new functionalities such as Smart Grid power controls, continued operation in the events of voltage and frequency disturbances, and improved safety of PV systems. These new functionalities will enable higher penetrations of PV into the grid of the future. The Florida Solar Energy Center is partnering with Satcon Technology Corporation, Sentech, Inc., SunEdison, Cooper Power Systems EAS, Northern Plains Power Technologies, and Lakeland Electric Utilities.

Petra Solar South ($2,729,712)

Plainfield, New Jersey

This project addresses utility-grid interactivity, system reliability, and safety through low cost, easy-to-install, modular inverters. This work expands the micro-inverter system concept to higher voltage operations to reduce costs and expand utility-friendly functionalities. Petra Solar is partnering with the University of Central Florida, Public Service Electric & Gas, PEPCO Holdings, and BP Solar.

Princeton Power ($2,729,897)

Princeton, New Jersey

This project addresses the details to complete a design for a 100-kilowatt "Demand Response Inverter" based on Princeton's unique circuit designs and the use of new state-of-the-art components. Demonstration installations with utility collaborations are planned and will be announced when details are available. Princeton Power is partnering with First Energy Corp., Center for Power Electronics Systems, International Battery, Inc., Tectonic Corp, and Process Automation Corp.

PVPowered ($2,408,276)

Bend, Oregon

This project focuses on several key developments, including next-generation controls and advanced communications technologies that enable distributed PV systems to communicate with power utilities. These innovations will allow utilities to manage networks of distributed power sources, reduce PV systems costs, and remove barriers to high levels of PV grid penetration. Demonstration installations are planned and will be announced when details are available. PV Powered is partnering with Portland General Electric, Northern Plains Power Technologies, and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.

Stage II Awardees

Apollo Solar (Advanced Grid-Tied Inverter, Charge Controller, Energy Monitor, and Internet Gateway)
Petra Solar (Economically Viable, Highly Integrated, Highly Modular SEGIS Architecture)
Princeton Power (Demand Response Inverter)
PVPowered (MPPT Algorithms, EMS Integration, and Utility Communications Advancements)
University of Central Florida (Grid-Smart Inverters)

Stage I Awardees

Apollo Solar
Edison Materials Technology Center
Enphase
General Electric
NexTek Power Systems
Petra Solar
Premium Power
Princeton Power
PVPowered
SmartSpark Energy Systems, Inc.
University of Central Florida, Grid-Smart Inverters
VPT Energy Systems