In this document
You will find a complete list of inverter parameters that can be added to the component.
Overview
This document outlines all parameters available to be entered when uploading a new inverter to the catalog. Where required, it contains simple instructions and tips on how to fill in the datasheet correctly.
The parameter categorization aligns with the application for easy navigation.
Market data
Model name
The model name of the inverter, e.g., CPS SCH275KTL-DO/US-800.
The name should be specific for the model variant - e.g., attention must be paid to the rated power and regional versions of the same component.
The name should not contain the name of the product line with multiple variants such as SUN-60/70/75/80K-G.
Manufacturer
Name of the company manufacturing the inverter, e.g., Huawei, Sungrow, Ingeteam…
The name of the manufacturer must match the name listed in the PVCC database. Please consult the list of manufacturers in the import form or the filter in the web interface of the PVCC.
If there is no manufacturer name for the component after import.
Please check that the manufacturer name is spelled correctly and exactly the same as stated in the list of manufacturers. The full list of manufacturers can be found in the import form or in the filter in the web interface of PVCC.
The manufacturer is not yet listed in our manufacturer list. Please, write an email to info@pvcomponents.com and the team will add the record for you.
Date when inverter was introduced to market
The date when the inverter was introduced to the market in DD/MM/YYYY format, e.g., 11/06/2020 for June 11th, 2020.
Date when inverter was discontinued
The date when the inverter was discontinued in DD/MM/YYYY format, e.g., 11/06/2020 for June 11th, 2020.
Leave blank if the inverter is still on the market.
Datasheet source (preferably URL to manufacturer datasheet website)
Provide a URL to the datasheet source for this component if available. This will speed up the component validation process when under review.
Input (DC) side
Input operating mode (ModeOper)
PVSyst specific parameter, specifying the mode of control of the inverter input. Please fill in one of the following:
Fixed voltage
MPPT
Minimum operating DC active power (PSeuil)
Minimum input (DC) active power, at which the inverter can operate.
Minimum operating DC voltage (Vopermin Vdcmin)
Minimum input (DC) voltage above which the inverter can operate.
Maximum operating DC voltage (Vopermax)
Maximum input (DC) voltage, at which the inverter operates at its rated power output. Above this voltage, the power output is clipped.
Minimum MPP voltage (Vmppmin Mppt_low)
Minimum voltage, at which the Maximum Power Point Tracking system can operate.
Maximum MPP voltage (Vmppmin Mppt_high)
Maximum voltage, at which the Maximum Power Point Tracking system can operate.
Nominal MPP voltage (VmppNom)
The nominal voltage of the Maximum Power Point Tracking system operation, typically mid-range of the MPPT voltages.
Maximum DC input voltage (Vdcmax VAbsMax)
Maximum input (DC) voltage, at which the inverter is safe. Above this voltage, the inverter shuts down for protection.
Maximum input current per MPPT (Imax Idcmax)
Maximum input (DC) current of the inverter per MPPT input (e.g., maximum current for a single MPPT input if the inverter has multiple MPPT inputs).
Number of MPPT inputs (nMppTrackers NbMPPT)
Number of separate MPPT inputs to the inverter.
Number of DC inputs per MPPT (nDcInputsPerMpp NbInputs)
Number of separate DC inputs (strings) per each MPPT of the inverter.
Switch on the DC side (DC_Switch)
The presence of a switch on the input side, a parameter used in the PVSyst simulation software.
High DC voltage (Vdchigh VNomEff)
Input (DC) voltage at which the High DC Voltage efficiency curve is specified.
Medium DC voltage (Vdcmedium VNomEff)
Input (DC) voltage, at which the Medium DC Voltage efficiency curve is specified.
Low DC voltage (Vdclow, VNomEff)
Input (DC) voltage at which the Low DC Voltage efficiency curve is specified.
Output (AC) side
Maximum AC power (Paco PMaxOUT)
Maximum output (AC) power of the inverter.
Rated AC power (PNomConv Pacnom)
Rated, or nominal output (AC) power of the inverter.
Number of AC phases (nOutputAcPhases MonoTri)
Number of output (AC) phases of the inverter (typically 1 or 3).
Minimum tangens of the phase angle (corresponding to reactive power import) achievable by the inverter (TanPhiMin)
The ratio between the maximum imported reactive power and the maximum active power of the inverter in compliance with P-Q capability of the inverter.
Maximum power factor achievable by the inverter when importing reactive power
The ratio of maximum active power P to apparent power S when the inverter is importing maximum reactive power. Equivalent to the minimum tangens of the phase angle.
Maximum tangens of the phase angle (corresponding to reactive power export) achievable by the inverter (TanPhiMax)
Ratio between the maximum exported reactive power and maximum active power of the inverter in compliance with the P-Q capability of the inverter.
Maximum power factor achievable by the inverter when exporting reactive power
The ratio of maximum active power P to apparent power S when the inverter is exporting maximum reactive power. Equivalent to the maximum tangens of the phase angle.
Nominal AC voltage of the inverter (Vac VOutConv)
Nominal or rated output (AC) voltage of the inverter.
Nominal AC current of the inverter (INomAC Iacnom)
Nominal or rated output (AC) current of the inverter.
Maximum AC current of the inverter (IMaxAC Iacmax)
Maximum output (AC) current the inverter is capable of producing.
Switch on the AC side (AC_Switch)
Presence of a switch on the output side, a parameter used in the PVSyst simulation software.
Operating performance
Behavior at maximum AC power (CompPMax)
Parameter used in the PVSyst simulation software, please fill in one of the following options:
Limitation
Cut
Cut until evening
Behavior when the input voltage goes out of the MPP window (CompVMax)
Parameter used in the PVSyst simulation software, please fill in one of the following options:
Limitation
Cut
Night power consumption (Pnt Night_Loss)
Power loss of the inverter, which is supplied from an external source, when no solar generator power is present.
Maximum temperature for maximum AC power (TPMax)
Maximum ambient temperature, at which the inverter can output its maximum AC power.
Maximum temperature for rated AC power (TPNom)
Maximum ambient temperature, at which the inverter can output its rated AC power.
First temperature limit for power derating (TPLim1)
First ambient temperature limit, at which the modeled power output of the inverter starts derating (decreasing).
AC power at first temperature limit (PLim1)
Output (AC) power of the inverter at the first temperature limit. This is the derated (decreased) output power.
Maximum allowable temperature (TPLimAbs)
Maximum ambient temperature at which the inverter can operate.
AC power at maximum allowable temperature (PLimAbs)
Output (AC) power of the inverter at the maximum ambient temperature, at which it can operate.
Self-consumption of the inverter (Pso)
DC power required to start the inversion process, or self-consumption by the inverter. Also, the power used during operation. Strongly influences inverter efficiency at low power levels.
Mechanical characteristics
Width
Width of the inverter.
Height
Height of the inverter.
Depth
Depth of the inverter.
Weight
Weight of the inverter.
Efficiency curves
Sandia model characteristics
The following parameters are used to describe the efficiency of the inverter using the Sandia inverter efficiency model.
Sandia coefficient C0
Parameter defining the curvature of the relationship between AC output power and DC input power.
Sandia coefficient C1
Empirical coefficient allowing Maximum DC power to vary linearly with DC voltage input.
Sandia coefficient C2
Empirical coefficient allowing self-consumption of the inverter to vary linearly with DC voltage input.
Sandia coefficient C3
Empirical coefficient allowing the coefficient C0 to vary linearly with DC voltage input.
Maximum DC power (Pdco)
DC (input) power at which the rated AC (output) power is achieved at reference operating conditions.
Nominal DC voltage (Vdco)
DC (input) voltage at which the rated AC (output) power is achieved at reference operating conditions.
Efficiency curves
Maximum efficiency
Maximum efficiency the inverter can achieve.
CEC efficiency
Weighted average efficiency according to the CEC weighing equation.
EURO efficiency
Weighted average efficiency according to the EURO weighing equation.
Data for low DC voltage efficiency curve
EURO efficiency for Vdclow
Weighted average efficiency according to the EURO weighing equation at the low input (DC) voltage. The low DC voltage is specified in the Input (DC) Side section.
Maximum efficiency for Vdclow
Maximum achievable efficiency at the low input (DC) voltage. The low DC voltage is specified in the Input (DC) Side section.
Efficiency at low DC voltage, point 1 to point 11
Up to 11 value pairs specifying the efficiency of the inverter at the low input DC voltage can be entered. In the web interface, the value pairs can be entered:
In terms of the input power and efficiency as [input DC power in Watts; efficiency in %]
In terms of the input and output power as [input DC power in Watts; output AC power in Watts]
In the bulk upload template, only option 1. above is allowed.
Data for high DC voltage efficiency curve
EURO efficiency for Vdchigh
Weighted average efficiency according to the EURO weighing equation at the high input (DC) voltage. The high DC voltage is specified in the Input (DC) Side section.
Maximum efficiency for Vdchigh
Maximum achievable efficiency at the high input (DC) voltage. The high DC voltage is specified in the Input (DC) Side section.
Efficiency at high DC voltage, point 1 to point 11
Up to 11 value pairs specifying the efficiency of the inverter at the high input DC voltage can be entered. In the web interface, the value pairs can be entered:
In terms of the input power and efficiency as [input DC power in Watts; efficiency in %]
In terms of the input and output power as [input DC power in Watts; output AC power in Watts]
In the bulk upload template, only option 1. above is allowed.
Data for medium DC voltage efficiency curve
EURO efficiency for Vdcmedium
Weighted average efficiency according to the EURO weighing equation at the medium input (DC) voltage. The medium DC voltage is specified in the Input (DC) Side section.
Maximum efficiency for Vdcmedium
Maximum achievable efficiency at the medium input (DC) voltage. The medium DC voltage is specified in the Input (DC) Side section.
Efficiency at medium DC voltage, point 1 to point 11
Up to 11 value pairs specifying the efficiency of the inverter at the medium input DC voltage can be entered. In the web interface, the value pairs can be entered:
In terms of the input power and efficiency as [input DC power in Watts; efficiency in %]
In terms of the input and output power as [input DC power in Watts; output AC power in Watts]
In the bulk upload template, only option 1. above is allowed.
Advanced functionality
Grid support (CEC_Type)
Grid support capability of the inverter, as used in the NREL SAM simulation software. Please fill in one of the following options:
Grid Support
Utility Interactive
Hybrid PV system (CEC_hybrid)
Yes/No value denoting whether the inverter is suitable for a hybrid PV system, as used in the NREL SAM simulation software.
PVSyst specific
The year of availability of OND file
Year in which the PVSyst OND file (PVSyst inverter specification exchange format) was made available in the PVSyst database.
OND file version
Version number of the PVSyst OND file.
Data source
Source of the data in the PVSyst specification, e.g., “Manufacturer 2021”.
PVsyst internal parameter to deal with efficiency profile
Internal PVsyst parameter for the balance of the wiring contribution when establishing the efficiency profile.
PVsyst parameter about possibility to adjust Grid voltage limits
Yes/No value, denoting the possibility of adjusting the grid voltage limits for the inverter stopping condition.
PVsyst parameter: master/slave capability threshold
Relative power threshold from which the second (slave) device will be turned ON.
PVsyst estimated efficiency curve, point 1 to point 11
Up to 11 value pairs [input DC power in Watts; output AC power in Watts] specifying the efficiency of the inverter. This efficiency profile is estimated by the PVSyst simulation software.
IEC 61850 specific
Nameplate maximum active generation power rating at unity power factor
Maximum real power an inverter can deliver to the grid continuously, with voltage and current perfectly in phase (power factor = 1).
Nameplate maximum apparent power generation rating
Maximum total output—combining both active and reactive power—that an inverter can continuously supply to the grid, measured in volt-amperes (VA or kVA)
Rating for maximum absorbing reactive power
Maximum (rated) reactive power of the inverter, when the reactive power is absorbed (leading power factor).
Rating for maximum supply (injection) reactive power
Maximum (rated) reactive power of the inverter when the reactive power is injected (lagging power factor).
Maximum current rating under nominal voltage under nominal power factor
Highest continuous output current the inverter can supply at its rated AC voltage and nominal power factor, typically used to size wiring and protection devices
AC Voltage maximum rating
Maximum rated output (AC) voltage of the inverter.
AC Voltage minimum rating
Minimum rated output (AC) voltage of the inverter.
Inverter control source
Please fill in one of the following options:
Current
Voltage
Voltage-current
Rated active power of the inverter
Rated (nominal) active power output of the inverter.
The continuous apparent power capability of the power inverter
Rated (nominal) apparent power of the inverter that can be delivered continuously (e.g., not transient spikes).
Type of cooling method
Please fill in one of the following options:
Passive air cooling (heatsink)
Forced air cooling (fan + heatsink)
Fluid cooling (water)
Heat pipe
Maximum input current limit
Limit on the input (DC) current.
Maximum input voltage limit
Limit on the input (DC) voltage.
Rated bi-directional reactive power
Rated reactive power in both absorbing and injecting modes.
Rated voltage (intrinsic property)
Standard AC or DC voltage level the inverter is designed to operate at continuously, such as 230 V AC or 48 V DC
Attachments
Upload images and data sheets for the inverter.