What is the US large-scale solar photovoltaic database?

The U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database provides the locations and array boundaries of U.S. photovoltaic facilities, with capacity of 1 megawatt or more.

What are the different types of PV inverters?

There are three primary tiers of PV inverters: microinverters, string inverters, and central inverters. Since microinverters are not rated for utility-scale voltages, we will largely ignore them in this article. String inverters convert DC power from “strings” of PV modules to AC and are designed to be modular and scalable.

Is the utility-scale PV market maturing?

The utility-scale PV market is maturing. Last year, 22.5 GW of utility-scale PV was installed in the US, a 77% jump from 2022. Solar PV accounted for over half (53%) of all new electricity-generating capacity additions for the first time ever.

How do you know if a solar panel is genuine?

Check the Weight: Genuine solar panels have a certain weight due to the quality of materials used. Counterfeit panels may feel lighter. Inspect the Frame: The frame should be robust, with clean edges and no visible signs of tampering or poor workmanship. Examine the Junction Box: The junction box should be securely attached with proper seals.

Why did PV inverters become module-level microinverters?

Ironically enough, the drawbacks of early central inverters (mismatch losses, inflexible system design) led to the development of module-level microinverters. The PV inverter market of this era had two bookends: microinverters for residential and small commercial projects and increasingly large central inverters for everything else.

Will my project have a central inverter?

The likelihood of encountering a central inverter on a project increases with project size and age. Utility-scale projects above ~10 MW are the most common application today. Large C&I and smaller utility-scale projects from just a few years ago are likely to have central inverters as well, for reasons we’ll touch on in the next section.