How Hoymiles microinverters serve
Chongqing’s first smart microgrid
| Type | Region | Products | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Chongqing, China | 43 x HMT-2000-4T | 120 kW |
In the bustling city of Chongqing, a groundbreaking smart microgrid project has been brought to life, combining cutting-edge solar technology, energy storage, and EV charging to redefine green energy usage. The first of its kind in the region, this smart microgrid not only provides more sustainable energy for the project site but serves as an inspiring model for low-carbon innovation and smarter energy management across China and beyond.
Their Story
Bringing smart energy to a complex skyline
In the vibrant city of Chongqing, China, the owners of the Chongqing Yutai Office Building had an ambitious vision to demonstrate the future of clean, intelligent energy.
But building a smart microgrid on the building’s roof was far from simple.
Firstly, safety was a major concern. Traditional high-voltage DC systems used in C&I projects, ranging from 500 V to 1,000 V, pose risks of fire from DC arcing, and risk electric shocks during emergencies or maintenance.
Another issue was gaining sufficient light. As the site is surrounded by trees, poles, and other obstacles, shading issues meant traditional string inverters would struggle to manage – after all, one shaded module could reduce the efficiency of the entire system. The roof’s irregularities also meant modules needed to be placed at different orientations, making it next to impossible to create uniform strings.
There was also the matter of the warranty. As conventional string inverters typically only offer a five-year warranty, they fall short of the 25-year service life requirement for PV systems.
The owners needed a game changer. A modern solution that provided the safety, efficiency, and reliability for their new smart microgrid.
They needed Hoymiles.
Their Solution
A safer future for smart microgrids
For their smart microgrid, the owners installed 43 Hoymiles HMT-2000-4T microinverters on the rooftop.
And these microinverters proved to be exactly what the project needed.
Unlike traditional string inverters, their 4-in-1 design allowed modules of different specifications and orientations to be installed seamlessly. Their module-level MPPT technology and low start-up voltage meant that if one module was shaded, degraded, or faulty, the other modules could still perform at their peak – even under the most challenging roof conditions.
By monitoring the microinverters in real time, the system could also quickly detect and disconnect faulty modules, minimizing risks and improving operational efficiency.
By stabilizing the system’s DC voltage at 40 V, this tackled safety concerns head-on, reducing the risks of fire and electrical shocks during maintenance and emergencies.
As Hoymiles microinverters are engineered for durability – with aluminum casings and IP67-rated protection – they are built to withstand environmental challenges like corrosion, while still maintaining peak performance for a long period of time. This meant that the microgrid setup would surpass the 25-year service life requirement for PV systems, so the owners can rely on safe and efficient power generation for decades to come.
Their Success
The client chose Hoymiles because of its strong R&D capabilities, market leadership in microinverters, and innovative design that ensures safety in low-voltage systems.
Pioneering a new era of energy in China
By using Hoymiles’ advanced microinverter technology, the owners of the Chongqing Yutai Office Building redefine what a smart microgrid can achieve.
Combining high-efficiency microinverters and a cutting-edge energy management system gives the owners unparalleled control, with real-time monitoring of individual modules and the ability to disconnect faulty components helping to ensure safety during maintenance and emergency operations.
Despite Chongqing’s challenging light conditions, the microinverters deliver outstanding performance, maximizing power generation capacity even in partially shaded environments.
As the first smart microgrid in the region, this project now serves as a blueprint for sustainable, low-carbon innovation, helping to inspire similar advancements across China and beyond.
