Sungrow Connects Massive Solar + Storage Microgrid

Sungrow announced last week it had connected a microgrid in Tibet featuring 13 MW of solar inverters, 7 MW of battery inverters and 23.5MWh of lithium ion batteries. The company says the microgrid’s power will provide electricity to more than 14,000 people living in the region and generate in excess of 6.6 million kWh of clean power per year. The microgrid will be working under extreme conditions; operating at an altitude of 5,000 metres, temperatures as low as -40C and howling winds that plague the region for much of the year. Sungrow says the battery containers have been specially insulated to protect components from freezing. The inverters and associated components have been engineered with a “cold start” capability down to -40C. Power shortages have been frequent in the area to date, forcing residents to rely on power from expensive and polluting diesel fuel generators. Many residents have had to rely on traditional Tibetan butter lamps. “We are always dedicated to bringing green and effective energy to markets in need all around the world, especially for those who reside in areas with limited access to electricity,” said Professor Renxian Cao, President of Sungrow. Given the harshness and isolation of the location, Sungrow’s microgrid has been designed for remote monitoring and unattended operation. More than 26GW of Sungrow inverters are now installed globally. According to a recent report from GTM Research, Sungrow was ranked no.2 for inverter shipments globally in the first half of this year. The company says  it has maintained a market share of over 30% in China and last year secured 20% market share in Germany. Sungrow solar inverters have also proved to be a popular choice for home solar power systems in Australia, offering advanced features at a comparatively low pricing point. The company says it has become the third largest PV inverter supplier in Australia, occupying 10% market share; having grown from just 1% in 2015 Last month, the company held a series of energy storage training roadshows in Australia, promoting its next generation hybrid inverter. Sungrow will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.