Sharp Corporation will introduce into the Japanese market Residential Solar Power Generation Systems Compatible with “Roofit Design” that adopt a new design system that enables efficient installation of photovoltaic modules on a wide range of roof shapes with various roof surface areas. Sales of these systems will begin first in Tokyo.
This system enables solar power generation systems to be installed on small roofs and on roofs with complex shapes, where installation has been difficult with conventional systems. In addition, the adoption of “Roofit Design” will broaden available design options, making it possible to meet the needs of a wide range of customers in terms of installed system output, cost, and exterior design.
The Japanese market for residential solar power generation systems is expected to grow dramatically, reflecting the impact of a government subsidy program reintroduced in January 2009. In particular, the market in Tokyo is forecast to reach a size that will account for one-fifth of all residential solar power generation systems sold around the country*2 thanks to a subsidy program based on the use of tradable Green Power Certification System, which will go into operation in April 2009. By combining at least two photovoltaic modules with different shapes, these residential solar power generation systems enable efficient installations even on small roofs where installation space is limited or on roofs with complex shapes. Sharp will first introduce this system in Tokyo, where many such roofs exist, in conjunction with the start of the subsidy program, and will gradually expand sales throughout Japan.
Also, Sharp will introduce simultaneously throughout the country dual-range power conditioners (inverters) that feature a low-voltage input circuit in addition to the standard voltage input circuit. A solar power generation system built around one of the conditioners can efficiently generate electric power even from small roof areas using as few as three connected modules*3.
In the future, Sharp will be working to expand the introduction of solar power generation systems to a wide variety of homes—from the narrow roofs of the city to large roofs of the suburbs—by developing a family of products compatible with “Roofit Design”.
| Product name |
Residential solar power generation systems (compatible with “Roofit Design”)*4 |
| Date of introduction in Japan |
April 1, 2009 (initial introduction in Tokyo) |
| Product name |
Dual-voltage range power conditioner for solar power generation systems |
| Model no. |
JH-S9L11 |
JH-L9L12 |
| Rated output power |
2.5 kW (AC) |
3.5 kW (AC) |
| Number of DC input circuits |
1 standard voltage range circuit, 1 low-voltage range circuit |
1 standard voltage range circuit, 2 low-voltage range circuit |
| Suggested retail price (tax excluded price) |
247,800 yen (236,000 yen) |
313,950 yen (299,000 yen) |
| Date of introduction in Japan |
April 24, 2009 |
| Monthly production |
300 units |
150 units |
Main Features
| 1. |
 |
Photovoltaic modules*4 and special racking system*5 compatible with “Roofit Design” boost installed system output by an average of approximately 24%*6.
|
| 2. |
|
Dual-range power conditioner (inverter) featuring low-range voltage input circuit in addition to the standard voltage range input circuit allows systems with as few as three modules in a string*3. |
| 3. |
|
Optimal design to meet the needs of a wide variety of customers in terms of installed system output, cost, and exterior design. |
Notes:
| *1 |
“Roofit Design” is a method that enables the most efficient use of roof space in solar power generation systems design by combining two or more different shaped photovoltaic modules. A coined word meaning “to fit to a roof.” |
| *2 |
Based on Sharp estimates. |
| *3 |
For ND-160AV photovoltaic modules, with the proviso that at least one complete string must be connected to the standard voltage range input circuit. |
| *4 |
Compatible photovoltaic modules include models ND-160AV, ND-114CV, ND-061LV and ND-061RV. (All models now available.) |
| *5 |
To be launched as a product of Sharp Amenity Systems Corporation. |
| *6 |
Compared to Sharp’s previous product (ND-153AU) |
Photovoltaic Modules Compatible with “Roofit Design”
| Model name |
Polycrystalline photovoltaic module |
| Model no. |
ND-160AV |
ND-114CV |
ND-061LV |
ND-061RV |
| Maximum power (Pmax) |
160 W |
114 W |
60.5 W |
60.5 W |
| Module conversion efficiency |
13.9% |
13.5% |
10.1% |
10.1% |
Suggested retail price
(price before tax) |
79,380 yen (75,600 yen) |
63,840 yen (60,800 yen) |
46,410 yen (44,200 yen) |
46,410 yen (44,200 yen) |
Power Conditioner (Inverter) Specifications
| Model name |
JH-S9L11 |
JH-L9L12 |
| Installation location |
For outdoor installation |
| Number of input circuits |
2 circuits (1 standard voltage range circuit + 1 low-voltage range circuit) |
3 circuits (1 standard voltage range circuit + 2 low-voltage range circuits) |
| Rated input voltage (DC) |
250 V |
| Input operating voltage range (DC) |
Standard voltage range circuit: 80 to 350 V
Low voltage range circuit: 40 to 175 V |
| Maximum input voltage (DC) |
Standard voltage range circuit: 380 V
Low voltage range circuit: 190 V |
| Rated output voltage (AC) |
Grid-connected operation: 202 V
Stand-alone operation: 101 V
|
| Rated output frequency (AC) |
50/60 Hz |
| Rated output |
Grid-connected |
2.5 kW |
3.5 kW |
| Stand-alone |
1.25 kW*7 |
1.5 kW*7 |
| Rated power conversion efficiency |
93.5% (including junction box functions) |
93.0% (including junction box functions) |
| Output displacement power factor |
Greater than 0.95 (1/8 of rated input voltage to rated input voltage) |
| Total harmonic distortion (THD) |
Less than 5% overall; less than 3% for each harmonic order (during grid-connected operation) |
| Electric system |
1-phase 2-wire system (connected to 1-phase 3-wire system) |
| Isolation system |
Built-in high frequency isolation transformer system |
| Operating temperature range |
Main unit |
–20°C to +40°C |
External dimensions
(W x D x H) |
Main unit |
560 x 177 x 408 mm*8 |
637 x 177 x 408 mm*8 |
| Weight |
Main unit |
Approx. 26 kg*8 |
Approx. 29 kg*8 |
・Values in the table above are based on the specifications in JIS standard C8961.
| *7 |
With a power factor of unity (1.0). |
| *8 |
Including racking system hardware. |
| The above information is true and accurate at the time of publication. Manufacture, sale, price and specifications of products may be subject to change. |
|