1+X Modular Inverter: Leading the Next

Generation PV Plant Development

2022 / 7
1+X Modular Inverter White Paper

1. Overview Extraordinary Flexibility

As the solar industry evolves rapidly and the demand The 1+X inverter is modularly designed at component,
for ultra-large PV plants surges, there emerge many inverter and system levels, which makes the PV plant
new situations and requirements, including but not design more flexible and the O&M more convenient.
limited to different optimal block sizes in different The main components in the 1+X inverter; like IGBTs,
countries, varied requests for ESS capacity, pressing fans, capacitors etc. are modularized and designed
needs for easier O&M, the pressure to lower LCOE, to provide plug & play functionality, which makes the
as well as more stringent grid-supporting requests. time efficiency of the O&M improve by about 70%,
Such requirements set a higher threshold for the even the non-professional personnel can complete
inverter. the component replacement procedure.

Sungrow has launched its new-generation 1+X The 1+X inverter can be configured up to 8.8MW with
modular inverter to significantly innovate traditional 1.1 MW modular capacity and one MPPT for each
inverters, which combines the advantages of both unit, which makes PV plant design unprecedently
central and string inverters. It can be designed from flexible and doubles the number of MPPT in the
1.1MW to 8.8MW block size with modularized design, inverter when compared to mainstream central
to provide extraordinary flexibility when designing inverters. Moreover, since every single unit of the 1+X
PV power plants. works independently, in case of an unpredictable
malfunction of one of the units, it will not affect
other units and this will maximize the energy yield
during O&M significantly.

Both Sungrow’s 1+X modular inverter and newly

launched Power Conversion System (PCS) share
the same platform and have approximately 90%
common components. As a result, customers, if using
Sungrow’s 1+X and PCS units in the PV and BESS
Fig-1: 1+X Modular Inverter hybrid projects, can benefit from the 50%-reduced
spare parts catalogue and save considerable spare
2. Modular Design at parts cost.

Different Levels, Easier O&M &

Component Inverter System

Fig-2: 1+X Modular design

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3. Wireless Communication, compartmental cavities, a heat dissipation cavity

and an electronic cavity.
Lower Cost
The heat dissipation cavity of the power module
Apart from the traditional hardwired RS485
and reactor is cooled by the inbuilt smart forced air-
communication method, the 1+X inverter can also
cooled system while the electronic cavity transfers
provide the wireless communication function as an
internal heat generated by the components, copper
option.
bars, and PCB boards to the outside through a heat
The 1+X inverter’s wireless communication module exchanger located on top of the unit. The schematic
supports a maximum of 50 combiner boxes, while diagram of the heat dissipation is illustrated in Fig-4.
the communication distance can reach up to 1000m.
The auto frequency hopping function guarantees no Independent Cavity Heat dissipation cavity Electronic cavity

cross-talk between blocks, and the mesh networking

function makes wireless communication stable and
efficient under a poor communication environment.

The wireless communication application not only

helps to save cable costs and wiring labour costs but
also makes the O&M easier. When communication
fails, you can just check the communication modules
instead of long-time troubleshooting in the long- Fig-4: Independent cabinet design for heat dissipation
wired communication circuit, unlike traditional
RS485 communication.
5. Real-Time Parallel Arc
Detection, Improved Safety
When Arc happens, the majority of the heat will
be released to cause extremely high temperature,
which may lead to cables being burned, the inverter
being damaged, a significant energy yield loss or
even personal injuries. The 1+X solution can provide
a real-time parallel arc detection function between
Fig-3: Wireless communication in a block
the Smart DC Combiner Box (SCB) and the inverter
to protect people and the site properties.
4. IP65 Protection Level, Better
With the Arc Fault Detection function continuously
Adaption to Various Harsh monitoring the current and the voltage of the DC
Environments output loop, arc fault will be detected within 20ms,
and then the SCB disconnects the switch within
To better adapt to various harsh environments, such
20ms. Meanwhile, the 1+X inverter can disconnect
as high levels of dust and sand, the 1+X modular
the other SCB switches through the synchronized
inverter characterizes a high ingress protection level
linkage to prevent further losses.
of IP65. The cabinet of the 1+X inverter comprises two

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Fig-5: Synchronized linkage between the 1+X and SCBs

6. Self-constructed Grid debugging tools need a power supply before the high
voltage side is electrified. 1+X has a self-constructed
Function, Earlier COD & Lower grid function to construct AC power with a certain
Investment frequency and voltage by controlling the inverter to
work in voltage frequency mode, thereby supplying
In the early stage of the power plant construction,
AC power to debug the equipment. The self-
most equipment has no access to the power supply
constructed grid function is shown in Fig-6.
and hence, cannot be debugged. Meanwhile, some

Module Combiner Box Step-up transformer

Inverter #1 Power Generation Unit

Module Combiner Box

Inverter #N Unit to be commissioned

Fig-6: Self-constructed grid diagram

7. Intelligent String-Level between the components in a string, low string

open-circuit voltage, high string series resistance,
Diagnosis, Safer and Higher etc. How to precisely locate and rapidly troubleshoot
Yield the string fault status has become a challenge. By
cooperating with SCBs, the 1+X inverter can scan,
As large numbers of components are installed in the
collect and analyze the voltage and current data
ultra-large PV power plants, string failure rate may
of all strings, provide the intelligent one-key string
present and vary, including but not limited to string
diagnosis to ensure the asset’s safety and increase
current mismatch, the serious current mismatch
the yield.

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1+X Modular Inverter White Paper

8. Strongly Enhanced Grid which will weaken the grid and lower the short
circuit ratio (SCR). Normally, the lower the SCR is,
Supports, More Stable System the weaker the grid will be. Sungrow 1+X modular
Renewable energy is expected to account for inverter can operate stably even if the SCR is down to
over 20%-40% of the global energy mix. However, 1.018. It also supports fast active and reactive power
renewable energy such as solar and wind energy control, with < 20ms Q (reactive power) response
features randomness, intermittence and volatility, time and <140ms P (active power) response time,
which also helps in stabilizing the utility grid.

Stable operation under EHV continuous L&HVRT Fast response to grid

SCR=1.018 weak grid without off grid schedule
First enterprise passed First enterprise passed the test in China’s First enterprise passed verification in field
QingYu project Q fastest response 20ms | P response≤ 150ms
CEPRI test

Qn
90%

Without the technology

20ms

With the technology Continuous L&HVRT

Stable operation

Fig-7: Strongly enhanced grid supports

9. DC Energy Storage System DC/DC converter and the battery to the reserved
ESS interface directly. In addition, the 1+X modular
(ESS) Interfaces, No Further inverter supports PCS mode so that the battery can
Modifications Required be charged by the grid. The energy regulation will
be also more flexible, as shown in Fig-8.
Considering that Energy Storage System will see
more applications in the future with its significant
functions such as peak shaving, power smoothening,
renewable energy curtailment, frequency regulation
PV array Grid
and voltage regulation etc., The 1+X modular
inverter can be equipped with DC ESS interfaces.
Hence, systems using the 1+X inverter with DC ESS DC/DC

interfaces no longer need further modifications if

ESS is required later.
Rack
The 1+X modular inverter can realize the DC-
coupled energy storage system by connecting the Fig-8: DC ESS interface and PCS mode

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1+X Modular Inverter White Paper

10. Higher Power Density system, all in a 40ft container. The 1+X inverter has
higher power density and bigger block sizes, thus
+ Bigger Block Size + SVG bringing customers a significant cost reduction in
Replacement, Lower LCOE transportation, construction, equipment and O&M.
With < 20ms Q (reactive power) response time, the
The 1+X 8.8MVA Turkey MV Station solution includes
1+X inverter can also replace the SVG equipment to
the inverters, the MV transformer, the Ring Main
save initial investment. All these features of the 1+X
Unit (RMU), the auxiliary panel, and the monitoring
bring the LCOE lower.

Higher Power Density Bigger Block SVG Replacement LCOE Reduce

Fig-9: Higher Power Density + Bigger Block Size + SVG Replacement

11. Summary the on-site commissioning will become both faster

& easier. The application of the 1+X modular solution
The new-generation 1+X modular inverter combines also adapts to the various harsh environment better
the advantages of both central and string inverters, with IP65 ingress levels.
which presents a more flexible design for different
block sizes and makes the on-site O&M easier. In conclusion, Sungrow’s 1+X modular inverter

With intelligent string-level diagnosis and real- satisfies various requirements and new situations

time parallel arc detection, the 1+X inverter can of Utility-scale PV plants in the MENA region and

guarantee the equipment’s safety and increase the brings customers a lower LCOE and higher ROI.

yield. When the wireless communication module Hence, the 1+X modular inverter, being the game-

and the self-structured grid function are applied, changer, is expected to lead the next generation of
PV plant development and reshape future energy.

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All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice
 Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice

Peter Qian
MEA PV System Solution Manager, Sungrow
Tel: +86-15900900325
Email: peter.qian@cn.sungrowpower.com www.sungrowpower.com