The SM3320 SolarMagic smart panel chipset is the most recent addition to National's SolarMagic product line and provides junction box and module manufacturers with the "smarts" to ensure the highest efficiency and return on investment for solar system owners. By coupling more energy production with a lower balance of systems cost, the SM3320 provides solar system owners a high-performance solution at the lowest cost per kilowatt-hour.
"National Semiconductor has been embedded in the solar industry since its inception," said Mike Polacek, senior VP of National's key market segments group. "Already, our power management electronics are used in nearly two-thirds of the inverter and junction box market and we currently have more than 100MW of solar systems under SolarMagic monitoring and management. The development of smart panels builds on what National does best-smart power management electronics-to enable higher efficiency, more robust solar systems."
National's SM3320 improves power output, reliability and cost-effectiveness of solar systems. SolarMagic provides an innovative solution to long standing problems with solar arrays and their design. Real-world problems lead to mismatch in solar systems, significantly reducing the power output of an array. SolarMagic can recoup up to 71 percent of power lost to mismatch-regardless of cell technology-giving installation owners more predictable power output and increased return on investment.
In addition, the SM3320 includes a highly integrated, 99.5% efficient, 350W tri-mode power converter. To achieve maximum energy harvest, the SM3320 can either boost, pass-through or lower the voltage of each panel. Options include fire safety panel shut-off and a set of sophisticated safety mechanisms. The SM3320 is released to market with UL and CE component-level certification and is in volume production.
Pricing for National's SM3320-1A1 board-level system and SM3320-REF chipset is based on the solar industry standard measure of dollar-per-watt. National's SM3320 is available now and is priced at less than $0.12 per watt, depending on volume.
RUGGED, ROBUST, OEM/LABORATORY DIODE LASER MODULE "BREAKS RECORD" FOR POWER @ WAVELENGTH IN THE DEEP VIOLET
DATELINE: MELBOURNE, FLORIDA (USA), NOVEMBER 11, 2011
-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
ELK INDUSTRIES, LLC has achieved a "Breakthrough" in Output Radiant Flux for a CW Diode LASER Module at 398 - 401 nm. In the R&D Laboratories of ELK Industries,
this milestone advance allows New and useful advances in the arts and sciences.
A rugged and robust, variable power OEM/Laboratory LASER Operating at 401 nm with Output Power of 400 - 500 milliwatts (High Power) was Demonstrated for the first time in North America. It's Power Input is only 2 Watts at 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz, and LASER Diode Input of 393 milliamps at 5 volts, D.C., for full Output Power. The Highly collimated Output appears as TEMoo with a Focal Point of (only) 500 microns, or less. Additional collimation allows for Transmission for distances of over 1 kilometer. This advance "Opens Up Doors" into Research not possible, or practical, in the past.
Especially due to the High Power and High Quality Beam Characteristics, this LASER can enable (New) Research in Fluorescence Lifetime Studies, Materials Research, Direct - Diode LASER Pumping of Dye Liquid LASERS, LASER Ablation Spectroscopy, LASER Marking & Engraving, Micromachining - especially of Organic Materials, Forensic Studies, Near UV LASER Illumination, LASER Light Shows, LASER Projection systems and Displays, Counterfeit Detection, and a host of other unique applications.
The (overall) size of the LASER Module is (only) ~ 4" x 6" x 5". The LASER Diode, itself, is made in a Standard TO-18, 5.6 mm Can. The LASER Diodes are also available from ELK Industries, as a "Stock Item". This Product set is called the "DEEP VIOLET LASER".
At ELK Industries, extreme utility of this LASER is key to the Development of Tunable, Direct - Diode LASER (CW) pumped Dye Liquid LASERS operating in the Blue or Blue-Green Wavelengths, as well as the 550 - 620 nm wavelength region. Researcher, and CEO of ELK Industries, Mr. Robin Elkins, has already achieved High Power CW Direct Diode LASER pumping of Rhodamine 590 Chloride with the "BLUE MAXTM OEM/Laboratory LASER", which Produces a diode LASER Output of 1 Watt at 440 nm (Maximum). Other, proprietary applications are being investigated for potential Industrial Uses on a Large Scale.
These OEM, 398 - 401 High Power Diode LASER Modules are planned for immediate release, as the Diode LASER Lifetime, and "other" Key Diode LASER Characteristics have been well established, earlier this Year. These OEM/Lab LASER Modules are manufactured in the USA.