SunPower has announced that it has formed a special interest group (SIG) with distributed power control systems (DPCS) manufacturers SolarBridge Technologies and Tigo Energy, to set protocols within the solar industry to help lower total system costs.
Members of this new SIG will create and drive standards between the rapidly evolving DPCS field, which includes DC/AC microinverters and DC/DC system optimizers, and module manufacturers.
In addition, the group will establish a common industry platform for advanced electronics integration, including a plug and play criterion for mechanical connections and communications protocols between the solar panels and distributed control systems.
A compatibility roadmap and implementation plan that addresses existing complexities, such as lowering costs and ease of field serviceability, will also be developed.
"As a technology leader, SunPower is pleased to spearhead this much needed leadership, establishing a protocol that will help to drive down total system costs and ensure a level of universal compatibility," said Jim Pape, SunPower president, residential and commercial business group.
"We welcome our founding partners, SolarBridge and Tigo, and look forward to other companies joining this new industry cooperative."
