SolarMagic explained

SolarMagic is a subsidiary brand of Texas Instruments, selling electronics for photovoltaic (PV) systems. It was established in 2008 as a subsidiary brand of National Semiconductor.[1] The brand name was carried through when TI purchased National Semiconductor in 2011.

Products

The original SolarMagic device was a proprietary brand of power optimizer, a device which isolates the output from each PV-module from the rest of the system, preventing loss of performance by a single module from affecting the rest of the array. Because of the electronic characteristics of solar arrays, real-world conditions such as partial/temporary shading and irregular panel performance can lead to disproportionate and excessive losses of power output from the system. In one study, shading over a day of between 8% and 16% of the PV system surface area led to relative array power losses of between 35% and 40%.[2] Despite National Semiconductor advertisement claims that their power optimizer could recoup up to 57% of the power lost as a result of these phenomena, real-world results typically ranged between 1% and 6% of overall system output improvement.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Semiconductor Enters Photovoltaic Market with Technology That Maximizes Solar Energy Production. 30 June 2008. National Semiconductor press release
  2. Wilson, R. "National Semiconductor protects solar panels from shadows", ElectronicsWeekly.com, 2009-03-05: Retrieved on 2009-03-10: http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2009/03/05/45608/national-semiconductor-protects-solar-panels-from-shadows.htm, ElectronicsWeekly.com, 2009-03-05.