Flexibility is Key: Modular Energy Storage

for Large-Scale Solar

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com October 13, 2022

Presentation Agenda
1. CPS America company introduction
2. Inverter technology advancements
3. “Large-scale” PV and ESS market background
4. Large-scale solutions and architecture
5. CPS 200kW three-phase modular PCS
6. Modular PCS advantages

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About CPS America

Parent company: Chint Group North American subsidiary: CPS America

• Global provider of smart energy • #1 market share in U.S. 3-phase string
solutions since 1984 inverters
• $11.4B+ annual revenue • Over 6GW of U.S. deployment
• Publicly traded • Office hubs in New Jersey, Texas, and
California

Collaboration | Passion | Service

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 3

 Inverter Advancements and Evolution
Modular Energy Storage for Large-Scale Solar

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Inverter Advancements Overview
Boosted power output
• 275kW or higher
• Increased power density
Reduced costs
• Steadily dropping in $/Wac
• Infrequent and inexpensive O&M
New smart functions
• Grid support
• Remote data communications and controls
Improved electronics
• Breakthrough new IGBT and semiconductor technology
• Three- and five-level inverter circuit topologies

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 Inverter Advancements Evolutionary Timeline

erters
g Inv
n
Stri

14-20kW 23-36kW 50-60kW 100-125kW 250-275kW

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

rters
l Inve
entra
C

50-100kW 100-500kW 500kW-1MW 3MW-5MW

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 Large-Scale PV Market Background
Modular Energy Storage for Large-Scale Solar

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Large-Scale PV System Design vs Other Segments

C&I and Residential PV Systems Large-Scale PV Systems

• Primarily installed on rooftops or carports
• 1,000Vdc maximum
• NEC 690 and RSD compliant
• 600V, 480V, and 208V interconnections
• Arc-fault detection required (some exceptions)
• Ground mounted “behind the fence”
• 1,500Vdc maximum
• NEC 690 and 691 compliant
• Access restricted
• Arc-fault exemption with fire mitigation plan

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Large-Scale PV NEC Article 691

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Large-Scale PV Market Outlook

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Large-Scale PV Systems with String Inverters

90MW United States | CPS SCH125KTL inverters 300MW China | Tidal Flat Project

2.2GW China | Huanghe Hydropower 120MW Germany | Solarpark Schornof

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 11
 CPS Large-Scale Solutions & Architecture
Designing Large-Scale Solar for a New Era

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 12

 System Architecture
Modern large-scale systems integrate string inverters in place of central inverters.
• Increased production in sites with complex terrain
• Increased system up-time
• Improved data granularity with multiple MPPTs
• Smaller wire gauges with 800Vac systems

AC Combiner &
Transformer

Inverters
at array
©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 13
System Architecture Centralized vs. Distributed
Centralized Distributed
Historically, large-scale projects have Today, string inverters are being used
used large central inverters. in larger systems.
• Less equipment • Increased production in sites with
• Reduced monitoring wiring costs complex terrain
• Increased system up-time

AC Combiner &
Central inverter Transformer
on skid
DC combiners Inverters
at array at array
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System Architecture “Virtual” Central
Aggregating inverters in a cluster arrangement is the solution to many common problems.
• Reduced O&M costs
• All inverters are co-located with AC combiners and disconnects
• Increased system production and up-time
• Unlike central inverters, string inverter failure does not equal plant-level failure
• Reduced data wiring costs and “free” DC voltage drop
• All data wiring is on the skid, not spread throughout the entire array
• Clustered system architecture enables the use of longer DC strings

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 15

 Large-Scale PV String Inverter Advantages

3-5MW
central inverter

275kW
string inverter

Active array

Inactive array

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 16

 CPS 200kW Modular PCS
Modular Energy Storage for Large-Scale Solar

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PCS – Power Conversion System

Batteries and solar PV generate DC current. The grid and most loads run on AC.
The PCS acts as the middleman between generation, storage, and load.
• Bidirectional AC-to-DC, DC-to-AC, and DC-to-DC conversion
• Optimized for energy storage
• Co-located with battery rack

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 18

PCS and ESS Code Compliance

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Central vs. Modular PCS
Central PCS combines many battery rack and solar PV string inputs
• Battery racks integrated in parallel, introducing mismatch losses
• Single point of failure in the event of a fault
Modular PCS divides the system into smaller, optimized racks
• Rack-level management reduces mismatch losses and enables battery mixing
• Small PCS units are simple to fix – no special training required

vs.
200kW PCS 1MW PCS rack 2-4MW Transformer
and PCS skid

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 20

ECB200KTL 200 kVA, 800 Vac, 1,500 Vdc

Designed for large solar-plus-storage

projects
• Rack mountable up to 1MW
• Wide DC input voltage range
• Integrated DC disconnect switch
• Full power up to 45°C

• CEC listed
• UL 1741-SB certified
• UL 1741-SA certification in progress
• NFPA 70 and NEC 2017/2020 compliant
• NEMA 4X outdoor rated

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 21

ECB200KTL Mechanical Specs
750mm (29.5in)

332mm (13.1in)
" #
!
$

850mm (33.5in)
① Battery input terminals
② DC switch %
③ WIFI kit (optional)
④ Communication area
⑤ AC output terminals

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ECB200KTL Ventilation

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ECB200KTL Communications

! ③
⑤ ②
④

② ③

① Ethernet port: communication with EMS
② USB port: software upgrade
③ OUTPUT 1-2: reserved
④ CAN: communication with EMS or BMS
RS485①: communication with EMS
RS485②: communication with BMS
RS485③: communication with Ethernet card
INPUT1-3: reserved
12Vdc output: reserved
⑤ 24Vdc input: reserved
INPUT4: reserved

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 24

ECB200KTL Battery Compatibility
The CPS America modular PCS enables industry-leading design flexibility
• Wide input voltage range suitable for a wide variety of battery types and sizes
• 950 – 1,500V operating DC input voltage range (at 45°C)
• Scalable PCS units suitable for any large-scale project size
• 200kW PCS units
• Up to 1 MW per rack and up to 2 MW per transformer skid

Compatibility tests have been performed with CATL battery racks.

Contact CPS America for support with battery compatibility, testing, and certification.

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 MV Station + CPS Three-Phase String Cluster
Designing Large-Scale Solar for a New Era

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4.125MW Block Example Configuration

4.125MW Optional PCS Storage

MV Skid Inverter System (1-2MW)

(15) CPS 275kW (5) CPS 800V

Inverters Fused Disconnects

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 4.17MVA Transformer & MV Skid
Optional 1MW PCS
(up to 2MW per skid)

4.17MVA
transformer

Gage
cabinet

Low-voltage
cabinet

20ft container
skid

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Inverter + Disconnect Clusters Overview
Key features:
• Easily mounts up to (3) 275kW inverters and (1) 800Vac
fused AC disconnect
• Simplifies installation and reduces costs
• 825kWac clusters improve design flexibility

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800Vac Large-Scale Example Configuration

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800Vac Large-Scale Example Configuration

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800Vac Large-Scale Example Configuration

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 Three-Phase String Inverter Advantages
Designing Large-Scale Solar for a New Era

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 Large-Scale PV String Inverter Advantages
Maximize system production
• Multiple MPPTs per inverter reduce mismatch losses
• Data analysis, MPPT monitoring, and IV curve tracing
included standard

Improve design flexibility

• Easily adapts to any site topography
• Multiple MPPT inputs enable the use of modules of
different types and sizes
• Unfused design allows for larger mono and bifacial
modules with high Isc rating

Minimize O&M
• CPS inverters designed for quick and easy field service
• Simple products = short spare parts list

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 Large-Scale PV Modular PCS Advantages
Maximize system capacity
• Rack-level management optimizes the
performance of each rack individually
Maximize system uptime
• Modular PCS units are simple and easy to fix
• Minimal system impact from faults
Improve battery health
• Reduced cross current slow battery aging and
increase charge and discharge efficiencies
Increase design flexibility
• Modular PCS designs are scalable in units of 200kW
Mix and match batteries
• Rack-level management enables the use of different
batteries or the phased replacement of batteries

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com 36

 Thank you!
CPS Engineering Support CPS Sales Support
John Drummond For new inquiries
john.drummond@chintpower.com americasales@chintpower.com

©CPS America ChintPowerSystems.com October 13, 2022