solar home inverter and shutoff meter

Solar hardware covers a wide range of technology, from individual components of a solar panel or concentrating solar power plant, to inverters that allow solar panels to feed energy back into the electricity grid, to the racking structures found on rooftops and utility-scale solar installations. The Manufacturing and Competitiveness team works with awardees to determine the best applications for the specific hardware, develop it from a concept into a prototype, test its ability to function in real-world settings, and create a path to the market so the hardware can play a critical role in reducing the cost of solar-generated electricity.

Solar Hardware Spotlight

ConnectDER makes it faster and easier to install a solar array by removing the need to upgrade electrical service panels or run wiring through a home’s interior, meaning solar technicians don’t need to enter your home. The ConnectDER is mounted between a home’s electric meter and meter socket, which is located outside. Cables from the inverter are connected directly to the device instead of being routed through a home. The meter can also handle more voltage than an electrical service panel, easily bearing the burden of routing power into the home. Newer generations of the product are incorporating the ability to do revenue grade metering eliminating the need for metering upgrades. Learn more.

Manufacturing and Competitiveness Solar Hardware Funding Programs

These funding programs have projects that are focused on the development of multiple solar hardware innovations,