Navitron has signed a deal with Italian solar PV optimiser firm, BMSolar, to become the first UK distributor of BlackMagic power optimisers.
The deal, which was signed on 24th July, will see Navitron start selling BlackMagic optimisers from the end of August 2015.
BlackMagic optimisers can be used with any PV panels and inverters to increase efficiency and electricity production thanks to panel-level Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), which is used to recover energy that is normally lost due to panel mismatch.
Panel mismatch occurs in all PV systems and can happen for any number of reasons, including panel power tolerance, uneven dirt deposits, partial shading, tilt and orientation differences. According to BMSolar, only 10-12% of solar energy generated by PV panels is transformed into electricity introduced into the grid.
On average, a well-designed, south-facing, modern PV system could increase its average output by at least 7% during its first year with BlackMagic optimisers. The benefits of using panel-level MPPT also increase dramatically when used against partial shading, uneven orientation and system ageing.
Navitron’s decision to choose BlackMagic was driven by the belief that the UK solar industry will need to focus on the optimisation and maintenance of the existing installed PV capacity, based on the experiences of more mature PV markets such as Italy and Germany.
Stephen Knight, commercial director at Navitron, commented: “We have been looking after our network of installers for many years and have always provided them with the support they need to operate effectively and efficiently. With BlackMagic optimisers, we’re now adding a tool to help increase their customer’s revenue and open up a new long-term sales cycle.”
Alessandro Caraglio, BMSolar’s founder and managing director, added: “We are delighted to be starting a partnership with Navitron. Their long experience in the UK is proof that they have earned their reputation for excellent customer support and design expertise.
“We are proud to work with a limited number of highly trusted partners and are not looking to simply exploit the current surge of new PV installs throughout the UK. We are here for long haul and for the development of the secondary PV market.
“This strategy has proven successful in our domestic market, Italy, and we are starting to see a recognisable trend developing in the UK – so working with companies that share our vision and long-term goals is vital for our success.”
