Trina Solar announced on July 7th the North America launch of Trinaswitch, the next generation of smart solar modules. This module provides innovative new technology built into the junction box, allowing a more seamless integration for safety and compliance.

"Trinaswitch is a continuation of Trina Solar's product strategy in adding smart functionality to solar photovoltaic modules to reduce the balance of system cost, boost system safety and ultimately reduce costs to end users," said Jing Tian, Trina Solar's Head of Global Marketing.

Trinaswitch is the only smart module on the market with upgradeable functionality such as string flexibility and advanced optimization performance features. Trinaswitch modules are NEC 2014 690.12 compliant. They meet the 2014 NEC Rapid Shutdown safety standards which is now required in more than 24 states. By 2017, nearly all US states will be required to meet this standard.

Trinaswitch smart modules are constantly monitoring PV module parameters such as over voltage, over temperature and over current. The smart module will enter PV-Safe mode if a safety hazard is detected and reported to the Cloud Connect. The Cloud Connect will decide whether there is a local threat that can be avoided by shutting down a single module, or if there is a potential system safety hazard and PV-Safe mode is needed for the entire system.

"The gold standard for PV safety is a module-level control device that can detect, interrupt and annunciate faults, and automatically be shut down to a safe level when needed," said Matthew Paiss, Fire Captain of the San Jose Fire Department.