Solar Balance of System Cost Reduction

Standardization of components and integration of sub-components into larger entities are needed to reduce the cost of solar installations. Without these, the design and installation of solar can be not only complex, but components that are incompatible in the field lead to further cost increases and inefficiencies of labor. Standardization creates a known set of components whose specifications and operating characteristics apply regardless of their location or jurisdiction. It leads to a plug’n’play environment whereby minimal training or skillsets are needed to perform the installation. It also aids in the permitting process whereby each installation is no longer a custom design effort with varying components. Integration further reduces costs and installation complexities. Instead of field assemblying several components, a whole sub-assembly can be delivered at the site and effortlessly constructed, reducing opportunities for errors, increasing safety and keeping non-production time to a minimum. eIQ Energy believes that legacy of stringing PV modules to provide the necessary operating voltage for inverters has created a method that is applicable only to the best of sites for solar. Each string has to be populated with modules whose operating characteristics are tightly controlled and whose orientation must match all modules on that string. This also creates module co-dependence, analogous to the Christmas tree light effect whereby one bad light takes out the whole string. The eIQ Energy technology takes each module and by boosting its output voltage to required inverter levels, makes each module an independent power generator that can literally be attached at any point on a high voltage DC buss. By removing the co-dependence of modules and integrating the module and the electronics, standard building blocks can now be realized, leading to further integration and thereby reducing fixed and labor costs. eIQ Energy, using its vBoost technology, will develop a module compatible sized converter and integrate it with the module. This also permits integrating several other functions such as interconnection, roof mounting structure and wiring harnesses to significantly reduce the labor costs associated with rooftop solar installations. In Phase I, eIQ will develop the architecture and prototypes of these items. Reducing design, labor and component costs, in addition to providing a standard installation environment, will lead to affordable solar for all homeowners and commercial property owners. Going to a plug’n’play architecture takes the mystery out of electrical connectivity of solar allowing even the homeowner to take it on as a Do-It-Yourself project. Standard installations simplify the permitting process, further reducing costs.