Bern/Munich (ots) – At Intersolar Europe 2011, Esmolo Ltd. presents the first inverter-independent, automatic shutdown solution for photovoltaic modules in case of fire. By introducing the Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS), the Swiss based company solves one of the most discussed problems of the photovoltaic industry and reacts to the urgent demand of firefighting associations around the world. With this trend-setting innovation, which also offers protection against lightning and theft in addition to fire, Esmolo Ltd. is nominated for the Intersolar AWARD 2011.
With Esmolo MPS ProtectionBox(TM) Esmolo Ltd. brings a new generation of intelligent junction boxes to protect photovoltaic modules to the market. The extensive Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) protects photovoltaic modules against fire, overvoltage and lightning and against theft.
Fire protection
In case of fire, photovoltaic installations continue to produce dangerous voltage levels and cannot be shut down easily. This is a latent danger for owners and firefighters in case of fire. After different accidents involving firefighters, the German Firefighting Association (DFV) urged the photovoltaic industry in its position paper dated November 8th, 2010 to offer technical solutions for a safe firefighting immediately.
With its Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS), the innovative electronic protection system for photovoltaic modules, Esmolo Ltd. offers a solution to the problem of the life-threatening electric shocks firefighters could be exposed to.
Compared to other solutions of different providers Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) does not cut the connection between modules and inverter – whereby parts of the installation still continue to produce dangerous voltage – the module itself is short-circuited. Furthermore the system does not need to be switched off manually, it works automatically and inverter-independent on the module-level – and therefore much more effective.
The electronics of the Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) is embedded in the junction box of the photovoltaic module and thanks to sensors, the system identifies itself if a fire occurs. In this case the module will be immediately short-circuited and other modules of the installation will be informed by radio signal without any delay. By transmitting the signal to the other modules, the whole installation is shut down immediately – like in a domino effect. In addition the shutdown procedure can also be activated manually by pressing an emergency button.
Overvoltage and lightning protection
In addition to fire protection, Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) also offers the protection of bypass diodes and cells in case of overvoltage and lightning. According to test results the system was still working properly after induced peak currents even up to 720A at a peak lightning current at 44kA. Without Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) such levels would definitively damage the module.
Protection against theft
Another increasing problem is theft of photovoltaic modules. Because a stolen photovoltaic module equipped with Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) cannot be reused in a new place of installation, it becomes unusable and therefore useless for a thief. A reactivation can only be done by the owner of the module.
According to Riccardo De Luca, General Manager of Esmolo Ltd., 50% of all potential damages can be avoided by equipping modules with Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS). “We analysed statistics of claims expenditure of specialized insurance companies and found out, that about 50% of all damages are caused by fire, overvoltage, lightning and theft” says Riccardo De Luca. All these damages should be avoided by a simple and economic protection system and therewith protect the investment of the installation as well as the involved persons.
Esmolo Ltd. presents its Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) during Intersolar Europe 2011 at booth C3.421 and at the Innovation Exchange.
Nomination for the Intersolar AWARD 2011
For its innovative solution Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS), Esmolo Ltd. is nominated for the Intersolar AWARD 2011 in the category of photovoltaics.
The Intersolar AWARD is held for the fourth time to honor solar companies and institutions from around the world who exhibit forward thinking by creating groundbreaking product innovations. The winners of this industry-renowned award are chosen by an independent panel of judges, consisting of representatives of the solar industry, research institutes and press. The award is given for pioneering products and services in the categories of photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies and PV production technology. The winners of the Intersolar AWARD 2011 will be announced at an official ceremony on June 8, 2011, at the Intersolar Europe Innovation Exchange in Hall B2.
Esmolo Ltd. is a Swiss based company serving the solar industry worldwide with innovative and highly reliable electronic solutions for photovoltaic modules. The company draws on core competencies in the areas of protection against fire, theft, lightning and overvoltage. Esmolo Ltd. maintains close development cooperations with its customers, leading manufacturers of photovoltaic modules.
Download media documentation and graphical material:
http://www.esmolo.com/media
Media contact:
Mrs. Nicole Wespi, Esmolo Ltd., Sandrainstrasse 17, CH-3007 Bern,
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 31 550 05 70, Mobile: +41 41 763 62 17, Email:
press@esmolo.com
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