Sunplicity: from complex system design to standard product level

In 1989 Alpha Real launched the project Megawatt to promote and demonstrate that standardised PV power systems in the kW-range are cost effective in comparison to large scale installations. Project Megawatt was a huge success and the project concept was adopted by many others around the world. Within this system, standard new components had been developed and tested, such as an arc detector to improve safety against fire, roof tile for integration in dwellings and flat roof support for integration in commercial buildings. Exactly five years later, the project Gigawatt was launched by Alpha Real to promote and demonstrate that small independent 200 W AC modules will be cost effective compared with DC wired PV power systems. Several developments were made to achieve a unique product. Some of the inventions were a new hot spot detector and control device, and the low cost DC-to-AC power converter “edisun”. Three different types of PV products were developed and called accordingly Gigalino Handy, Gigalino Top and Gigalino Max