Railroad Primer

Photovoltaic Railroad Power Installations
… Morningstar’s Controllers Are Delivering Solar Success
ALL.DAT.RR.PRIMER.09/13.EN | Page 6 of 7
Summary
For more than 20 years, Morningstar’s products have
been helping provide stand-alone, solar electric power
to many industrial system installations around the
world—telecommunications, oil and gas, security and
instrumentation. Further, since 1995, Morningstar’s
products have been helping regulate railroad’s off-grid
PV power systems. Whether the wayside systems are
PV-only or Hybrid (PV + secondary energy source)
power installations, our controllers and accessories
are helping the railroad industry move trains reliably,
safely and on schedule.
Morningstar’s products are renowned for their robust
thermal, mechanical and electronic circuitry design,
high quality and outstanding reliability, and long
operating life and dependable performance. Our
products are integral power electronic components in
more than two million off-grid photovoltaic power
systems in 112 countries, across all seven continents.
They get the job done when utility power is
unavailable, unreliable or cost-prohibitive.
To learn more: www.morningstarcorp.com
Better Efficiency across a Broad
Operating Range
Better Efficiency at Lower Power Levels
Morningstar’s TriStar MPPT Controllers
have significantly better efficiency at
lower power levels. Unlike other
products, which must operate at close to
their nominal power rating to reach their
peak operating efficiency, the TriStar
reaches its ideal operating efficiency at as
little as 20% of rated power and
maintains this level throughout most of
its operating range.
Significantly Better Efficiency at Higher
Power Levels
Morningstar’s TriStar MPPT Controllers
have significantly better efficiency at
higher output levels. Other brands peak
at 1/3 of the maximum current and taper
off at higher currents, but the TriStar
MPPT will provide extra power when it
is needed most.