Micro-Inverter Overview

Direct Grid’s family of utility grade grid tie micro-inverters employ several patent pending technologies, Closed Loop MOSFET Planar Technology and Echelon power line communications. The unique planar transformer design offers the inherent benefit of low operating temperature, thin product profile and a unsurpassed design flexibility that permits a wide variety of input and output customization. The analog and digital loop control in the Direct Grid micro-inverter further distinguishes itself from other topologies by offering features such as auto-tune grid detection and synchronization. This feature drives excellent power factor greater than 0.997 while also permitting either 50 or 60Hz AC application.  The resulting architecture translates to excellent thermal management, unsurpassed reliability & flexibility, high efficiency and global product solutions.

Boasting an industry leading 480W of power, proprietary self tuning maximum power point tracking (MPPT), theft deterrence and an OEM design flexibility, Direct Grid products represent the next generation of micro inverter…for the first time, customers can realize the known advantages of a distributed inverter architecture without the module power and reliability limitations that have traditionally held back this class of product.

The Micro-Inverter System

The Direct Grid solution consists of the state-of-the-art micro-inverter, the Echelon gateway and the WattTrack™ monitoring software.

Each Direct Grid micro-inverter converts DC power to AC locally at each photovoltaic module. Each SMART Series unit on the network sends a collection of power diagnostic and ID data to the Echelon gateway device (either the Direct Grid AN Module or the Echelon iLon server).  The data collected by the access node is periodically transmitted to a remote server via the web. End users can review and monitor the information through the WattTrack™ web interface.