SolarEdge, a global leader in smart energy solutions, has provided its optimized photovoltaic inverter technology for a 1MW solar installation in France. The project was implemented at SCEA Robin, a farm specializing in pig breeding, grain cultivation, and methane production.
Faced with high energy costs, SCEA Robin initially installed a 100kW rooftop solar system in 2020 for self-consumption. Encouraged by its success, the farm expanded its solar capacity tenfold to 1MW. Now, 25% of the generated electricity is used on-site, while the rest is sold to the grid, providing an additional revenue stream.
Given the proximity of the solar installation to the farm’s methane production facilities, stringent safety requirements had to be met, including approvals from firefighters and insurers. Christine Brouillet, a farmer and methane operator at SCEA Robin, highlighted the importance of SolarEdge’s technology: “The rapid shutdown functionality of SolarEdge’s system ensures firefighters can intervene quickly and safely if needed. This, along with a 25-year warranty, gives us peace of mind about our investment’s long-term security.”
Unlike traditional string inverters, SolarEdge’s solution integrates DC optimizers, small devices mounted behind each solar panel pair. This system enhances performance, safety, and monitoring capabilities. In case of inverter shutdown or grid failure, the SafeDC™ feature reduces system voltage to just 1V, ensuring safe maintenance and emergency response. Additionally, built-in arc fault protection detects and mitigates electrical faults, a feature often required by insurers even though not mandated by French regulations.
Gilles Bonnet, a prevention engineer at Groupama Rhône-Alpes-Auvergne, emphasized that SolarEdge’s safety features set it apart from competitors. The ability to remotely monitor the system also benefits installers by enabling precise diagnostics and quick issue resolution.
