String inverters are no longer just for rooftops. At InterSolar San Diego 2026, Joe Ross, Director of Channel Sales and Key Accounts at CPS America, explains how string inverter technology has scaled into utility solar and why more developers are walking away from legacy central inverters.

Key Highlights:
String inverters currently hold 8 to 10% penetration in utility solar, up from near zero, and adoption is accelerating

CPS offers 600V string inverters for projects from 5 to 20 megawatts and a 350KW 800V unit for projects over 50 megawatts

When a string inverter goes down, 80 to 95% of the array keeps producing; a failed central inverter takes the whole project offline

String inverter cost per watt is approaching parity with central inverters; a month-long central inverter outage erases any capex advantage

The skidded string solution delivers transformer, switchgear, and inverters fully wired and tested to site in 26 weeks

Inverter-only lead times are now 2 to 3 weeks, down from a previous 4 to 6 week baseline
Both the 250KW and 350KW units are UL 2800 certified, ahead of the upcoming industry-wide rollout of that standard

DC Enhanced adds a mechanical protection switch on the DC side that shuts the inverter down during fault conditions and alerts CPS's monitoring team in Richardson, Texas

CPS holds over 60% market share in C&I string inverters and is now expanding into utility scale and battery storage

CPS offers a relief retrofit program for sites with legacy central inverters that can no longer source replacement parts

For developers still locked into central inverter thinking, Joe's message is direct: try CPS on one project. The maintenance record, lead times, and uptime numbers do the selling from there.

Reach Joe at
joe.ross@chintpower.com or
Find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-ross-a24a342/

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The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 10GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 350kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. CPS America has offices in California, New Jersey, and Texas. Learn more at https://www.chintpowersystems.com/