The SolarMagic power optimizer is built upon National Semiconductor’s analog and power management circuits. In Japan’s crowded urban areas, many houses have small and complicated roofs that often face problems with shade caused by structural objects such as skyscrapers, neighboring houses and power lines. Power optimizers make it easier to design around these challenges, enabling more homes in Japan to effectively access solar power.
“With PV playing such an important role in Japan both ecologically and economically, we at National are very excited about our SolarMagic power optimizers and their potential to bring solar to more Japanese homeowners,” said Jeff Waters, regional vice president, National Semiconductor. “No longer will obstacles like a small south-facing roof or neighboring trees necessarily mean the end of a Japanese homeowner’s dream to get PV installed.”
National Semiconductor entered the photovoltaic market in June 2008 with the launch of its SolarMagic technology. Demonstrating its commitment to solar, the company has conducted product testing of its SolarMagic power optimizer and signed partnerships with solar dealers and distributors including Real Goods Solar, Inc., AEE Solar, TECNO-LARIO and Solar del Valle. Over the past year, National Semiconductor acquired a solar firm, ActSolar, Inc. and announced SolarMagic had passed testing and received compliance certifications including UL1741 and IEC 61010 (safety), FCC Part 15 and EN 61000 (emissions) and IED 60529 and NEMA250-2003 (environmental). In field trials with Germany’s HaWi Energietechnik AG, SolarMagic recovered more than 54% of energy lost to partial shading and recently won the 2009 Intersolar Award.
National Semiconductor will demonstrate its SolarMagic power optimizers at its PV Japan booth (#4B-515). The exhibition at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, runs from June 24 to June 26, 2009.
Availability:
National Semiconductor introduced SolarMagic power optimizers in Europe and North America on May 27, 2009, and they are now available to customers in Japan. End user prices will be set by contracted installers or distributors.
