Fronius introduces the next generation of solar systems to the industry, the Fronius Smart Solution. This satisfies all needs for residential and commercial systems: flexible system design, shade mitigation, NEC compliance, high performance and state-of-the art monitoring while keeping the number of components low and installation easy.
As solar evolves and new technologies shape the way systems are designed and installed, new functionalities are added and systems become more advanced. Fronius believes that this should not come at the cost of simplicity, as is the case with traditional Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE). Now is time for this next generation.
“The Fronius Smart Solution combines the benefits of traditional MLPE such as microinverters or DC optimizers with the ease of installation and cost-effectiveness of string inverters”, explains Wolfgang Niedrist, President & CEO of Fronius USA. “If you look at a typical residential system of 6.5 kW with traditional DC optimizers, you have to install 24 optimizers on the roof plus the inverter. All power electronics you need with the Fronius Smart Solution are just an inverter and a Fronius Rapid Shutdown Box.”
The Fronius Smart Solution is the combination of cell-string optimized modules, the Fronius Rapid Shutdown Box, a Fronius SnapINverter, the optional Fronius Smart Meter and the Fronius Solar.web online monitoring portal:
- The next generation of DC optimizers replace the traditional bypass diode in a module with an intelligent chip by US-based semiconductor manufacturer Maxim Integrated. The chip is embedded into the module and acts as an optimizer and MPP tracker, resulting in three independent trackers per module. These modules are installed like any standard module and provide optimization benefits without the hassle of traditional MLPE.
- Fronius Rapid Shutdown Box: For NEC compliance, the easy to install Fronius Rapid Shutdown Box provides the ultimate solution for enhancing rooftop and firefighter safety. Directly connected to the inverter through the same conduit as the DC homeruns, the Fronius solution minimizes the number of components needed and provides ease of installation. A roof top transition box is required for all PV installations in any case, from array wiring in free air to PV power feeds in conduit to the inverter. The Fronius Rapid Shutdown Box merely replaces the typical “dumb” box.
- The Fronius SnapINverter line from 1.5 to 24.0 kW is known for its flexible system design, easy and light-weight installation within 15 minutes per inverter. Integrated Wi-Fi, Modbus and DC-disconnect and NEMA 4X protection make the package complete. The inverter line consists of both single and three-phase models, including 208V version up to 15 kW, making the SnapINverters the right choice for any system.
- Fronius Smart Meter: If you are facing feed-in limitations for a solar system or if customers would you like to monitor their energy consumption, Fronius offers the Fronius Smart Meter, a bidirectional energy meter. The meter is suitable for various applications, such as dynamic feed-in management. Together with Fronius Solar.web, the Fronius Smart Meter offers a detailed overview of energy consumption within a home or business.
- Online system monitoring: The eyes of the Fronius Smart Solution is the online monitoring platform: Solar.web. This is where everything comes together: ensure uptime and performance, run remote software updates, analyze energy consumption and compare it with the solar production to optimize overall energy usage. With integrated Wi-Fi in Fronius SnapINverters, the online monitoring is setup easily via smartphone app – even the system owner can do it.
