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SolarBridge Technologies

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SolarBridge Technologies
Company typePrivate
IndustrySolar energy
Founded2004 (2004)
FateAcquired by SunPower in 2014 and then Enphase Energy in 2018
Headquarters,
United States
ProductsSolar micro-inverter
Websitewww.solarbridgetech.com

SolarBridge Technologies (SolarBridge) is an American company specializing in solar micro-inverters for photovoltaic arrays, designed to enhance energy output and system reliability while aiming to lower installation and maintenance costs.[1] The company was acquired by solar panel manufacturer SunPower in autumn of 2014.[2] In 2018 SunPower sold the former SolarBridge microinverter business to Enphase Energy.[3]

History

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SolarBridge was established in 2004 at the University of Illinois to bring power electronics technologies to market. The company is venture capital backed, having raised US $71 million to-date. Investors include Battery Ventures, Rho Ventures, and Osage University Partners.[4]

Products

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The SolarBridge Pantheon microinverter, mounted directly on solar panels, converts power at each module instead of using central or string inverters, facilitating a roof-ready AC module. It achieved Underwriters Laboratories 1741 certification by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in early 2011.[5]

SolarBridge works directly with module manufacturers to develop integrated AC modules for the North American market, which were commercially available in 2011.

References

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  1. ^ The Promise of Reliable Inverters for PV Systems: The Microinverter Solution Russell, Miles C. “Greentech Media”, US, 18 June 2010.
  2. ^ SunPower Buys VC-Funded Microinverter Startup SolarBridge Wesoff, Eric “Greentech Media”, US, 10 November 2014.
  3. ^ Osborne, Mark (June 13, 2018). "SunPower sells former SolarBridge microinverter business to rival Enphase". pv-tech.org. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  4. ^ [https://archive.today/20120723161343/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-30/solarbridge-gets-25-million-in-funding-plans-europe-expansion SolarBridge Gets $25 Million in Funding, Plans Europe Expansion Herndon, Andrew. Bloomberg BusinessWeek, US, 30 May 2012.
  5. ^ SolarBridge’s Pantheon PV microinverter achieves UL 1741 certification Archived 2011-03-19 at the Wayback Machine. Staff. “SolarServer” 16 March 2011.
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