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MAKING MODERN LIVING POSSIBLE Solar Inverter Solutions String inverter design enables 3 MW for Michelin in Valladolid, Spain Facing complex roofing challenges and variable shading conditions, string inverter technology along with lightweight design & efficiency help pave the upgrade path for Michelin Tires in Valladolid, Spain. In Valladolid, Spain, Michelin Tires took to the task of constructing a two-megawatt solar facility in February 2010. This endeavor, commissioned by facility owners Michelin and initiated by Cenit Solar, exceeded expectations in efficiency while meeting government regulated power limitations of two megawatts. Thus, one year later, an expansion upgrade to three megawatt output yielded a 50% increase in energy generation for Michelin and stands as one of the largest power plants in the region. Just over one year ago, Cenit Solar Proyectos e Instalaciones Energeticas, S.L. embarked on a strategy to utilise 44.000 square meters of largely unused rooftop to elevate the facility from solely an energy consumer to a solar grid energy producer. The Cenit design and installation team began by instituting an evaluation process that would best secure the optimum components capable of achieving the greatest yield, efficiency and return on investment. The challenges ahead would present significant obstacles including constructing the buildout around a complex array of rooftop chimneys. “The multi-string inverters allowed us to eliminate rows in some of the DC inputs without changing the number of modules in series”, said Project Director, Antonio Munoz. Additionally, restrictions on drilling any rooftop holes would prove to be a difficult hurdle to overcome. Cenit Engineers, in collaboration with CIDAUT (Research and Development Center in Transport & Energy) looked to develope innovative solutions which could sustain numerous modules capable of widthstanding winds up to 140 km per hour. Facility planners at Cenit were determined to transform the 300.000 square meter space to produce energy it could then sell to the public distribution network. 720 MPPT’s provide the flexibility needed for a complex string layout. www.danfoss.com/solar

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