SolarWorld Constructs 11.6 MW Solar System

 An 11.6-megawatt DC solar system composed of solar panels from SolarWorld has begun taking shape at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Powers high-desert Adelanto Switching and Converter Station. The system features domestically produced solar panels, racking, inverters and other balance-of-system components, showcasing not only American solar technology production but also the industrys domestic manufacturing supply chain.

Designed and procured by SolarWorld Power Projects, the companys engineering, procurement and construction division based in Camarillo, Calif., the project pairs the nations largest municipal utility with the largest and most experienced U.S. solar manufacturer. Aside from 46,322 250-watt solar panels manufactured at SolarWorlds headquarters manufacturing hub for the Americas in Hillsboro, Ore., the LADWP system employs a noteworthy array of American-made electrical components, including 600 amp connectors and surge arresters, and 13 Envirotemp FR3 biodegradable and non-toxic dielectric fluid-filled transformers, engineered-to-order and manufactured by Cooper Power Systems in Waukesha, Wis., and 13 inverters assembled by SMA America in Denver, Colo. The projects switchboard and 117 combiner boxes also were domestically manufactured.