As the solar industry matures, there needs to be a solution for commercial and utility power plants that both addresses the fierce cost challenges in the PV market and which is global and easily adaptable to regional needs. The MLX series from Danfoss combines the advantages of a decentralised layout with central inverter thinking, representing the best of both worlds. This new way of PV thinking drives down total cost of ownership.
The MLX concept consists of three components: an extremely compact inverter of 60KVA in a 75kg enclosure, an intelligent MLX Inverter Manager and an external DC combiner to optimise layout flexibility. By separating these components it has been possible to create a system where power can be increased and layout flexibility maintained – while keeping the inverter weight low so that it is still simple to install – retaining the advantages of a decentralised solution.
The MLX inverter offers an attractive power size for medium to large ground-based and large rooftop applications – especially for applications with single orientation and regular sub-arrays. Delivering high yields, with conversion efficiency up to 98.6%, the MLX inverter maximises the advantages of decentralised plant topography. And with no need for big-rig road access, complex installation or groundwork, the MLX concept can also reduce installation costs.
Designed for multi-region grids with 50/60Hz, 400–480Vac, the MLX inverter is a truly global product. With an open communication interface based on industrial standards, the MLX Inverter Manager is Sunspec Alliance compliant and easy to integrate into external control and monitoring systems. With the global MLX inverter platform, application designs can be standardised, while a lean deployment of software and functions in the MLX Inverter Manager gives faster adaptation to country specific requirements and new legislation.
The MLX concept optimises overall plant efficiency and TCO by placing focus on the entire PV system over its full lifetime, from installation to servicing – and not only on optimising the inverter as a separate component. There are no maintenance contracts, as service is based on an exchange-and-return concept – no specially skilled workers are required to exchange an MLX unit. These lower maintenance costs have great potential for the total cost optimisation of the entire system.
By listening to what the market wants, Danfoss has delivered a solution that combines the advantages of a decentralised layout with central inverter thinking. With the MLX, you get powerful technology you know and trust and a concept that optimises overall plant efficiency and total cost of ownership by placing focus on the entire PV system over its full lifetime, from installation to servicing.
