National Semiconductor, Suntech to jointly develop smart panel tech

National Semiconductor Corp. is working with Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd., to develop "smart panel" technology. The technology will merge National Semiconductor's SolarMagic power optimizer chipset into Suntech solar panels to enhance the power output of their solar systems.

Senior VP of Suntech, Mr. Shijun Cai says, "Smart panel technology is an important innovation that will help customers harvest more energy from their solar systems. We are pleased to collaborate with National Semiconductor to drive the development of this technology."

National's SolarMagic power optimizer chipset propels each solar module to yield the maximum energy regardless of whether other panels in the array are under-performing due to environmental mismatch. The technology enhances the energy harvest of each individual PV panel through a combination of advanced algorithms and advanced analog power management circuit techniques.

In real-world tests consisting of shading and mismatch, Suntech modules with SolarMagic power optimizer technology were demonstrated to recoup an average of 50 percent of lost energy, and in some cases captured as much as 75 percent of otherwise lost energy compared against standard panel performance.

National Semiconductor will showcase the SolarMagic power optimizer chipset at the Solar Power International Conference in Los Angeles on Oct. 12 to 14.