SMA Solar, the largest solar Inverter manufacturer in the world is all set to tap the off grid market by introducing diesel generators which draw power from solar modules. These systems are aimed at reducing the cost of power generation in remote areas and other developing countries.
SMA Solar expects to start the production of the system in 2013. SMA Solar said that, the system will act as a controller which decides whether to draw power from battery or fuel power and this controller selects the most efficient way of utilizing the energy generated by both the solar based system and diesel generator.
Potential customers
SMA Solar said it will target water desalination plants, mines, hospitals, hotels, holiday parks or remote villages with no access to grids in underdeveloped nations in Africa which rely on Diesel gen sets for power and also remote areas with high solar radiation - such as Australia, South America, the Middle East and India. Also SMA solar recently flexed its North American off grid Muscle with upgraded version of Sunny Island Inverters.
Competition
Off-grid power specialist Elgris and Juwi are also planning to introduce begun to Solar-Diesel hybrid products.
Research firm GlobalData expects that the worldwide diesel and gas generators market will nearly double to reach $22.3 billion by 2020, from $12 billion in 2011, driven mainly by Africa and Asia.
