Ballard Introduces Ecostar Power Converter to Photovoltaic Market

Ballard Power Systems has introduced its 75 kW Ecostar power converter specifically designed for Photovoltaic applications. The only 75 kW grid-tie utility interactive power inverter available to PV customers, the Ecostar power converter combines high inverter and transformer efficiency with ease of installation and use.

With a peak transformer efficiency of 98.4 percent, system operating losses reduced to 25 W and a continuos power output at full load, the Ecostar power converter is one of the most efficient commercial inverters available in North America. Some key features of the Ecostar include night-time isolation which automatically disconnects from the grid and isolates the power transformer until is automatically wakes up again when the sun reappears. A patented software algorithm also offers reliable grid-parallel operation, anti-islanding and over/under frequency and voltage protection. Other features include efficient power-point tracking that operates independently of PV cells and liquid cooling.

The Ecostar power converter is leveraged from Ballard's experience developing inverters for automotive and microturbine applications. Ballard expects to add a 30 kW inverter product to its product offerings for installations in the second half of 2004.