YOUR GUIDE TO

ALTERNATIVE

ENERGY
All the resources you need to bring your designs to life

SOLUTIONS

ALTERNATIVE

ENERGY

SOLUTIONS
CONTENTS ENERGY HARVESTING 3

GRID INVERTER

Boasting nearly 3000 items, our Alternative Energy product portfolio comprises the most energy efficient products and technologies required in the generation, transformation, storage, conversion and distribution phases of any design. Our featured solutions, design resources and product training videos are developed to help you with the design and implementation of these systems, while simultaneously keeping you up to date with the latest innovations that open up new applications for alternative energy. There are many viable reasons for considering an alternative energy solution to power new designs, especially for those with ultra-low power requirements. Lower total cost of ownership, environmental benefits, and ease of implementation are just some of the many benefits that alternative energy sources can bring. A solar-powered home is probably the most economical and practical use for an alternative energy at this point in time. The long term savings of not having to constantly depend on the energy grid easily outweighs the initial setup costs. Small scale wind power generation schemes have been used for household electricity generation in conjunction with battery storage over many decades, especially in remote areas. Nowadays, equipments such as wireless Internet gateways are being powered by wind turbines, replacing the need for a connection to the power grid. It is easy to think of all alternative energy as giant wind farms or hydro plants, but many alternative energy sources can be as simple as a single solar cell powering a remote sensor and wireless transmitter. As well as solar power, piezoelectric and thermoelectric generators can harvest vibration and thermal energy to generate enough electricity to power a simple circuit. Such energy harvesting schemes have now been widely employed in environmental and geological data sensing applications.

MICRO INVERTER

WIND TURBINE

10

SOLAR INSTALLATIONS

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ENERGY HARVESTING
Energy harvesting systems are the devices that can convert solar power, thermal energy, wind power, mechanical energy and electromagnetic energy into electrical power and save in batteries or super capacitors. An energy harvesting system is composed of energy collection, energy storage and power management. The energy collection is responsible for capturing the energy that is available in different forms such as solar power, and converting it into electrical power. The electrical power is stored in batteries or super capacitors to feed other devices. [+MORE]

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Featured Products / Development Kits

DV164133 XLP 16-bit Development Kit The XLP 16-bit Energy Harvesting Development Kit is a true development platform for realizing energy harvesting applications. It is based on Microchips PICR MCUs with nanoWatt XLP Technology and Cymbets EVAL-08 Solar Energy Harvester. The XLP kit enables rapid prototyping of low power applications such as RF sensors, temperature / environmental sensors, utility meters, remote controls and security sensors to name just a few. Learn more...
Order code: 1839855

MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Microchip has a large suite of software and hardware development tools integrated within one software package called MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE). MPLAB IDE is a free, integrated toolset for the development of embedded applications on Microchips PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers. It is called an Integrated Development Environment, or IDE, because it provides a single integrated environment to develop code for embedded microcontrollers. Learn more...
Order code: 1699836, 1699838

EZ430-RF2500-SEH Solar Energy Harvesting Development Kit The eZ430-RF2500-SHE (a complete Solar Energy Harvesting development kit to help create a perpetually powered wireless sensor network based on the ultra-low-power MSP430 microcontroller) includes a high-efficiency solar (2.25 in x 2.25 in) panel optimized for operating indoors under low-intensity florescent lights, which provides enough power to run a wireless sensor application with no additional batteries. Inputs are also available for external energy harvesters such as thermal, piezoelectric, or another solar panel. Learn more...
Order code: 1740342

MSP430 Target Board and USB Programmer The MSP-FET430U28 is a powerful flash emulation tool that includes the hardware and software required to quickly begin application development on the MSP430 MCU. It includes a ZIF socket target board & a USB debugging interface used to program & debug the MSP430 in-system through the JTAG interface or the pin saving Spy Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) protocol. The flash memory can be erased and programmed in seconds with only a few keystrokes, and since the MSP430 flash is ultra-low power, no external power supply is required.
Order code: 1471277

CBC-EVAL-05 Development Kit The EnerChip CC EVAL-05 Evaluation Kit is used to demonstrate the capabilities of the EnerChip Thin Film Batteries and the EnerChip CC with Integrated Battery Management capabilities. The EnerChip CC is the worlds first Intelligent Thin Film Battery. It is an integrated solution that provides battery backup and power management for systems requiring power bridging and/or secondary power. A single EnerChip CC can charge up to 10 additional EnerChips connected in parallel. Two EnerChip CC devices are on the EVAL-05, a CBC3112 and a CBC3150, with battery capacities of 12 Ah and 50 Ah, respectively. Learn more...
Order code: 2061532

ESK300 Wireless Energy Harvesting Development Kit The ESK300 is a dedicated energy harvesting development kit which deploys ultra low power radio technology. It comes with two ECO200 electro-mechanical push button generators for switches and a solar powered STM330C temperature sensor. Radio telegrams sent by the self-powered sensors are received via USB dongle and visualized via DolphinView Basic PC software. Learn more...
Order code: 2088254

LTC3588 Energy Harvesting ICs The LTC3588 integrates a low-loss full-wave bridge rectifier with a high efficiency buck converter to form a complete energy harvesting solution optimized for high output impedance energy sources such as piezoelectric transducers. An ultralow quiescent current undervoltage lockout (UVLO) mode with a wide hysteresis window allows charge to accumulate on an input capacitor until the buck converter can efficiently transfer a portion of the stored charge to the output. In regulation, the LTC3588-1 enters a sleep state in which both input and output quiescent currents are minimal. The buck converter turns on and off as needed to maintain regulation.
Order code: 1839153, 1839154, 1839155, 1961465

GRID INVERTER
A solar grid-tied inverter converts the DC output of PV modules into AC power suitable for transmission on the power grid, often deploying reactive power to meet new grid codes. It must always optimize the power output via MPPT (maximum power point tracking) and additionally monitor both the system and grid connection. In practice, each solar inverter installed in solar power plants needs to connect an array or string of PV modules to the power grid. The more efficient the inverter, the better the LCOE (Levelised Cost of Electricity) generated by the system. [+MORE]

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Featured Products / Development Kits

TMS320F28016 Development Board TMS320F28016 is a low cost board which is value-for-money and is suitable for people on low budget who want to learn DSPs. The board has a 32-bit DSP running at 60 Mhz, delivering 60 MMACS, 32KB Flash, 12 KB RAM, 8 channel PWM 4 of them with enhanced resolution of 150 ps, 2 x 8 channels 3.75 MPSP 12-bit ADCs, CAN, RS232, SPI, I2C. Learn more...
Order code: 1701516

XDS560PLUS DSP Development Tool SEED-XDS560PLUS is a DSP development tool (DSP emulator) developed by SEED. It supports TIs LF24XX, F28XX, C5000, C6000, C64XX, DM64X, DM270, DM320, OMAP, and Davinci. It uses USB2.0 and does not need external power supply. Learn more...
Order code: 1788112

STEVAL-ISV009V1 Inverter Development Kit The STEVAL-ISV009V1 demonstration board is based on the SPV1020, which is a monolithic DCDC boost converter designed to maximize the power generated by photovoltaic panels independent of temperature and amount of solar radiation. The optimization of the power conversion is obtained with embedded logic which performs the MPPT (max power point tracking) algorithm on the PV cells connected to the converter. The 4-phase interleaved topology of the DC-DC converter eliminates the need for electrolytic capacitors, which would severely limit lifetime.
Order code: 1972610

SPV1020 Interleaved DC-DC Boost Converter with Built-in MPPT Algorithm The SPV1020 is a monolithic 4-phase interleaved DC-DC boost converter designed to maximize the power generated by photovoltaic panels independent of temperature and amount of solar radiation. Optimization of the power conversion is obtained with embedded logic which performs the MPPT (max. power point tracking) algorithm on the PV cells connected to the converter.
Order code: 2098006

TMDSHV1PHINKIT Inverter Development Kit This high voltage isolated kit features a 300VDC compatible input stage supporting up to 500W. The dual controller design features a two switch interleaved boost stage for MPPT and an isolated LLC resonant DC/DC converter. A full bridge inverter stage with PLL AC line synchronization completes the secondary side of the board and features enhanced communications by utilizing the Concerto MCU to drive the control stage while also providing Ethernet support to the board.
Order code: 2081121

MC56F84xxx 32-bit DSC The MC56F84xx offers precision, sensing and control for the most efficient digital power conversion and advanced motor control applications. It includes advanced high-speed and high-accuracy peripherals such as pulsewidth modulation (PWM) with 312 pico-second resolution, dual high-speed 12-bit ADCs with built-in PGA sampling up to 3.3 mega samples per second (Msps) and one high-precision 16-bit ADC. Faster application-specific control loops are driven via a high-speed 32-bit digital signal processing (DSP) core with single-cycle math computation, fractional arithmetic support and parallel moves.
Order code: 2095577, 2095583, 2095585

MPT612 32-bit MPPT IC The MPT612, based on a low-power ARM7TDMI-S RISC processor that operates at up to 70 MHz and can achieve system efficiency ratings up to 98%, is dedicated performing the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) function, is designed for use in applications that use solar photovoltaic (PV) cells or in fuel cells. To simplify development and maximize system efficiency, the MPT612 is supported by a patent-pending MPPT algorithm, an application-specific software library and easy-to-use application programming interfaces (APIs). Dedicated hardware functions for PV panels, including voltage and current measurement and panel parameter configuration, simplify design and speed development.
Order code: 2103464

MICRO INVERTER
Solar micro-inverters work based on DSCs that boast powerful algorithms to provide the features of both off-grid and on-grid inverters, so that functions such as MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking), charge management, inversion, and connection with grid can be enabled on a single device. A micro-inverter is built with battery charge management, an inversion circuit and a relay. [+MORE]

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Featured Products / Development Kits

TMDSHVMPPTKIT High Voltage Solar Developers Kit The high voltage solar developers kit features a 300VDC compatible input stage supporting up to 500W. This dual controller design features a two switch interleaved boost stage for MPPT and an isolated LLC resonant DC/DC converter. A full bridge inverter stage with PLL AC line synchronization completes the secondary side of the board and features enhanced communications by utilizing the Concerto MCU to drive the control stage while also providing Ethernet support to the board. Learn more...
Order code: 2081119

TMDSSOLARCEXPKIT Low Voltage Solar Explorer Kit The low voltage solar explorer kit is designed for safe benchtop level experimentation. The single C2000 non-isolated design board supports a 12VDC/50W input stage. The board also features built in PV emulation, a photo- diode for light sensing, a single switch DC/DC boost for MPPT, a DC/DC SEPIC stage for battery charging, and a full bridge AC/DC inverter stage capable of driving 24VAC. Learn more...
Order code: 2081117

XDS510PLUS DSP Development Tool SEED-XDS510PLUS is a DSP development tool (DSP emulator) which uses XDS560 JTAG technology to greatly improve its stability and anti-interference capability. With the size of a business card case, it fully supports CCS3.3 version (or higher), DaVinciTM platforms and the latest platforms from TI. Learn more...
Order code: 1788111

AFE031 The AFE031 is a low-cost, integrated, powerline communications analog front-end (AFE) device that is capable of capacitive- or transformer-coupled connections to the powerline while under the control of a DSP or microcontroller. It is ideal for driving low-impedance lines that require up to 1.5 A into reactive loads. The integrated receiver is able to detect signals down to 20 VRMS and is capable of a wide range of gain options to adapt to varying input signal conditions.
Order code: 2082416

MCP3911A0 Analog Front End The MCP3911 is a 2.7V to 3.6V dual channel Analog Front End (AFE) containing two synchronous sampling Delta-Sigma Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC), two PGAs, phase delay compensation block, low-drift internal voltage reference, modulator output block, digital offset and gain errors calibration registers, and high-speed 20 MHz SPI compatible serial interface. The MCP3911 is capable of interfacing a large variety of voltage and current sensors including shunts, current transformers, Rogowski coils and Hall effect sensors.
Order code: 2113275

SM72442 DSC / MPPT controller The SM72442 is a programmable MPPT controller capable of controlling four PWM gate drive signals for a 4-switch buck boost converter. It also features a proprietary algorithm called Panel Mode which allows for the panel to be connected directly to the output of your power optimizer circuit. Along with the SM72295 (Photovoltaic Full Bridge Driver), it creates a solution for an MPPT configured DC-DC converter with efficiencies up to 99.5%. Integrated into the chip is an 8-channel, 12 bit A/D converter used to sense input and output voltages and currents, as well as board configuration. Externally programmable values include maximum output voltage and current as well as different settings for slew rate, soft-start and Panel Mode.
Order code: 2074715

SM72295 Mosfet Drive The SM72295 is designed to drive 4 discrete N type MOSFETs in a full bridge configuration. The drivers provide 3A of peak current for fast efficient switching and integrated high speed bootstrap diodes. Current sensing is provided by 2 transconductance amplifiers with externally programmable gain and filtering to remove ripple current to provide average current information to the control circuit. The current sense amplifiers have buffered outputs available to provide a low impedance interface to an A/D converter if needed. An externally programmable input over voltage comparator is also included to shutdown all outputs. Under voltage lockout with a PGOOD indicator prevents the drivers from operating if VCC is too low.
Order code: 2074714

KITS
element14 carries the widest selection of Development Kits from the top suppliers in both Analog and Embedded design. Check out the exclusive full-featured Development Kits from element14. Visit the site: in.element14.com/devkits
ARDUINO LEONARDO MICROCONTROLLER
Order code: 2133071 Order code: 2115337

DEVELOPMENT

GERTBOARD KIT

FREESCALE FREEDOM PLATFORM

Order code: 2191861

WIND TURBINE
Wind turbine pitch control systems can change incidence of rotor blades in a wind power generation system based on real-time wind speed for the purpose of adjusting output power, achieving higher utilization efficiency of wind power and providing protection for rotor blades. Wind turbine monitoring systems are responsible for monitoring the tower, blades, shaft, gear box, generator and overall conditions in the nacelle. This involves a variety of sensors e.g. accelerometers, rotary encoders, temperature sensors, oil/liquid level sensors, particle counter, voltage, current and humidity sensors. [+MORE]

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Featured Products / Development Kits

MC56F8006DEMO-T Board MC56F8006DEMO-T is a cost-effective board targeting quick digital signal controller (DSC) evaluation, demonstration and debugging of the Freescale MC56F8006VLF digital signal controller. The board is equipped to handle USB communication right out of the box. MC56F8006 demo board has a series of 6 leds connected to PWM channels in order to monitor signals and has a Reset and 2 IRQ switches. Learn more...
Order code: 1748989

CWH-UTP-ONCE-HE CodeWarrior USB TAP The CodeWarrior USB TAP host target interface is a feature-packed, no nonsense run-control tool that allows developers to save precious development time during target bring-up and debug providing visibility into and control of Freescale on-chip debug (OCD) features. The USB TAP integrates seamlessly with the CodeWarrior integrated development environment, giving the developer a powerful tool for complex debug tasks. The USB TAP features broad Freescale processor support, complete run-control functionality and flash programming for fast downloads and convenient production testing. Learn more...

Order code: 1750490

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CodeWarrior IDE Development Suite CodeWarrior is a multi-host, multi-language, multi-target GUI interface integrated development environment (IDE), providing software solutions for Freescales microcontrollers and digital signal processors and controllers. In addition, CodeWarrior tools support software development tools for Freescale embedded solutions. In the CodeWarrior toolset, the Editor, Compiler, Linker, Debugger, and other software modules operate within an Integrated Development Environment, or IDE. The IDE oversees the control and execution of the tools. It provides an interface to the tools that is consistent and predictable.
Order code: 1750488, 1750496

EVAL ADXL345Z-M The ADXL345 is a small, thin, ultralow power, 3-axis accelerometer with high resolution (13-bit) measurement at up to 16 g. Digital output data is formatted as 16-bit and is accessible through either a SPI (3- or 4-wire) or I2C digital interface. The ADXL345 measures the static acceleration of gravity in tilt-sensing applications, as well as dynamic acceleration resulting from motion or shock. Its high resolution (3.9 mg/LSB) enables measurement of inclination changes less than 1.0.
Order code: 1853937

HFBR Fibre Optics The HFBR range of fibre optic transmitters and receivers are ideally suited for use within wind turbines for monitoring / blade pitch applications.
Order code: 1173144, 1247623, 1247637, 1247663, 1611270

HEDS-9xxx Rotary Encoder The HEDS-9000 and the HEDS-9100 series are high performance, low cost, optical incremental encoder modules. When used with a code wheel, these modules detect rotary position. The modules consist of a lensed (LED) source and a detector IC enclosed in a small C-shaped plastic package. Due to a highly collimited light source and specialised photodetector array, these modules are extremely tolerant to mounting misalignment.
Order code: 1654869, 1654864, 1654867, 1654868

G2RL Relays PCB mounted power relays, 5-48VDC, 8-16A contact current.
Order code: 2065764-2065814

D2SW Detection Switches High-quality watertight miniature Snap Action switch. Switch Body meets IP67 (IEC 529) requirements. Monoblock construction assures high sealing capability and is ideal for dusty places or where water is sprayed. Wide operating temperature range of -40C to 85Contact ratings of 3A at 125 VAC or 0.1A at 30 VDC.
Order code: 2068311-2068331

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SOLAR INSTALLATIONS
We specialise in a range of components and services to help aid your site specific solar installations. From heavy duty circuit protection to connectors and installation tools, our range spans to over 2500 solar power products. Trust us to help you get the job done on time! [+MORE]

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MC4 Connectors Solar Cable, 6mm & 4mm Tools

Trunking / Conduit Solar Multi-meters Enclosures

Featured Products
Hand-held Test Equipment With a range of multimeters, clamp meters, thermal imagers, power analysers and hand-held scope meters we have products to cover all solar installation requirements.
Order Code: 2094466 Order Code: 1827174 Order Code: 1772092

FLK-T100 Thermal Imager Fluke 381 Clamp Meter Fluke 233 Multimeter

IP66 Mild Steel / Stainless Steel Junction Boxes These mild steel / stainless steel junction boxes are designed for use as instrument enclosures, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic control housings, electrical junction boxes or terminal wiring enclosures. These boxes provide protection where equipment may be hosed down or otherwise be very wet, or in specific applications where corrosion may be a problem, or in outdoor applications for full weather protection.
Order code: 1842870, 1221725

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SPF 1000V Solar Fuses The SPF series has been specifically designed for photovoltaic (PV) systems. This family of midget fuses (10x38mm) can safely protect PV modules and their conductors from reverse overcurrent conditions despite the associated challenges of DC power. As PV systems have grown in size, so have the corresponding voltage requirements. This increase in system voltage has typically been intended to minimize power loss associated with long conductor runs. With design voltages growing upwards of 1000VDC, standard fuses simply cannot handle this power. However, the SPF series is UL Recognized to safely interrupt circuits up to this demanding voltage level.
Order code: 1818392, 1818397, 1818393, 1818403, 1818395, 1818404, 1818396

SolarLok Cables SolarLok cables are designed to meet the harsh environmental conditions typical of photovoltaic installations. The flexible, dual wall, halogen free and cross linked solar wire offers long term stability with TV UL approval. Its outstanding features include: high resistance against environmental conditions such as humidity, UV-radiation and ozone. In addition, it has excellent resistance to abrasion and temperature extremes. The wire has a high dielectric withstanding voltage and due to its fine-stranded, tin plated copper conductor, it is easy to handle, bend, route, and to strip.
Order code: 1863682, 1863683, 1780343, 1780344

SolarLok Connectors Element14 have a wide selection of solar specific connectors and junction boxes, including the SolarLok range.
Connectors Order Junction Boxes Order Grounding Clips Order Dust Covers Order Labels Order Code: 1778564-1778571, 1778576- 1778578, 1794767-1791773 Code: 2085089, 2066114, 1873111 Code: 1778575 Code: 1844826-1844828 Code: 1778574

Solar Crimp Tools Supporting our connectors portfolio, element14 have the right crimp tools, wrenches and tool kits to enable you to quickly and safely get your solar installation connected.
Order code: 1816584

Silicone Adhesives Silicone adhesive and encapsulants used to provide protection from vibration, thermal or mechanical shock. It has excellent dielectric properties and also gives excellent protection from water and many environmental contaminants. Excellent adhesion to many common substrates in photovoltaic applications.
Order code: 1847872, 1847875, 1847873, 1847876, 1847874, 1847877

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