In the on-going discussions in the photovoltaic industry about cost reductions and technical optimization, usually the focus lies just on the modules. However, it is important to optimize the entire system as a matched unit, not just the individual components; in this way the efficiency of the whole PV system can be increased and the price reduced at the same time.

The single-component perspective, which has been the rule so far, can lead to interactions that can result in poor yields or even catastrophic damage to the system. For example, excessive voltages can destroy the inverters, and wrong grounding or poor inverter selection can reduce the efficiency of the modules or, in the worst case, damage them severely.

At the same time it is imperative to lower the cost of all the components and improve their efficiency - the steeper the fall in prices, the greater is the pressure on costs and performance.

Added to this comes the need to improve the future stability of the connection between PV systems and the electricity grid, which has to be done in close cooperation with the grid operators.

As far as the investors are concerned, the demands for reliability, availability and the associated operational security of the entire PV system are always increasing. New ways are needed to meet these ever more demanding expectations.

The Inverter and PV System Technology Forum – USA 2012 will take a close look at the interaction between the electrical components of the system, in particular at the inverter and monitoring components which form the interface between the modules and the grid.

The conference will deal with both the upstream (production and supply chain) and the downstream (planning, distribution, installation and operation) aspects of the electrical system.

The aim of the event is, for the first time in the U.S., to bring together all those involved in the manufacture, planning and construction of a PV system, with a specific focus on the electrical systems and their interfaces, and how these can be optimized.

• Component manufacturers (modules, inverters, junction boxes, transfer stations, monitoring systems, etc.)
• Energy providers and grid-net-work operators 
• Project developers and planners
• Finance providers
• Representatives from policy making bodies, the press and professional associations  
• The entire semiconductor industry and component manufacturers in the field of power electronics 
• Buyers, major distributors and installers of modules, inverters and BOS components
• Suppliers for the PV industry
• Press and professional associations