Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. introduced the Magnum Energy MicroGT 500 inverter, an optimized microinverter. Designed with energy storage in mind, the MicroGT 500 works with or without battery based inverters, and communicates seamlessly with Magnum Energy battery-based inverters when in AC-coupled mode to taper the battery charge based on battery condition. The MicroGT 500 will debut at the Solar Power PV Conference & Expo (formerly PV America) in Boston in February 2016 and is scheduled for release in June 2016.

With its complementary ECU communication interface, system owners and installers will be able to monitor system PV production through the MicroGT, via a user-friendly, browser-based dashboard. The dashboard also provides battery condition, temperature and energy consumption via the battery-based inverter. This integrated approach to AC coupling is far easier on the battery bank than simple 'bang-bang' charging in bulk mode, the method traditional microinverters employ when mated to a non-communicating batter-based inverter.

The Magnum Energy MicroGT 500 makes installation easy. It is daisy-chainable, and each dual MPPT microinverter supports two PV modules, cutting the installation labor and costs in half, as well as simplifying the logistics and stocking requirements of its value-added distributors.