At Intersolar 2024, Solar&StorageXtra spoke to Paul Donnelly, Business Development Manager for Power Electronics.
Paul explained the company’s new inverter product, what Power Electronics is doing to keep up with the industry, and what the benefits of attending solar shows are.
Xtra: Are you launching any new products at Intersolar?
Paul Donnelly: We are known as a manufacturer of short-string inverters and central inverters. What we’ve brought to Intersolar is a central inverter with a short-string concept.
This product looks like a central inverter, but inside it are four modules – basically, four strings. It’s the best of both worlds.
Xtra: How does Power Electronics adapt to market trends?
Paul: We feel that, to show the affordability of the market and generate more revenue, the future is in hybrid projects. By hybrid projects I mean solar or storage. This can be in solar power storage and in AC connections, or DC connections.
Xtra: What conversations have you been having at the show?
Paul: Everything here has been really positive! It’s been good to hear that in the UK, where I personally do 90% of my work, the industry is buzzing. Sweden is taking off as well, but more in the storage sector.
We’ve recently had very good news – we’re going to be installing a DC-DC inverter for the first time in the UK. But storage is mostly what I’m working on at the moment. I would assume that it’s probably a commodity and, for end clients, you’ll take a look at the baseline of the numbers.
Being a European manufacturer, it’s difficult for us to compete with Chinese competitors. We’re looking at storage as being more technology-based, so we invest a lot more in R&D (research and development) following the good technologies [which help] to be successful in the storage market.
Xtra: Do you think that there’s a benefit to exhibiting at international solar shows?
Paul: I’m very pro-exhibiting. Even if it’s a market you can fully dominate, I agree with developing market awareness and brand awareness – being there, being seen, and touching base with clients.
There’s massive potential in international solar events because you never know who you might meet. Not only that, it’s great for your clients to see who you are in person and what you do.
Xtra: How do you see Power Electronics’ role changing in the industry?
Paul: Touching again on technology, we always try to stay ahead of the curve. We keep up with energy storage and battery manufacturers who are changing their technologies and their products. In that way, we’re always trying to be one step ahead of the game to deliver the best products possible.
Power Electronics has been around for 40 years, since 1987, and has been in the solar industry since 2010. We are number one in the US and the UK and want to continue that trend. It’s the best business to be in, and you have to be forward-looking to ensure continuous improvement.
Experience the benefits of international solar shows first-hand by exhibiting at or attending Solar & Storage Live at a destination near you – and stay tuned for upcoming show launches.
