SolarBridge Technologies, a developer of microinverters that are factory-mounted directly onto solar panels, announced on June 21 that it has secured $19 million in series C funding. The company has raised more than $46 million to date.

Microinverters convert DC current to AC current for each solar panel, in contrast to conventional string or central inverters, which convert the output of the entire solar array.

The funds, raised from current investors, as well as new financial and strategic investors, will be used to ramp up the company’s production capacity, expand sales support, and scale up research and development teams.

According to SolarBridge President and CEO Ron Van Dell (News - Alert), “This exemplifies the confidence in our very capital-efficient business model and the tremendous momentum around our technological approach to ACPV [alternating current photovoltaic technology].”

What specifically differentiates SolarBridge’s technological approach, creating all this interest from the investment community? To date, detached microinverters have required separate installation, maintenance and management.  The patented architecture of the SolarBridge Pantheon Microinverter creates integrated AC modules. Installation of rooftop PV systems is simplified because the microinverter is factory-installed on the module,—eliminating the need for separate installation of a string inverter, a central inverter, or detached microinverters.

AC modules also do not require the same high-level installation skills as DC modules—opening up the market to general contractors, roofing companies, and even do-it-yourself homeowners.  What’s more the module system is covered by the industry’s first 25-year, end-to-end warranty.

“The SolarBridge AC Module System will dramatically reduce the LCOE [levelized cost of electricity] for solar installations by improving system reliability, increasing energy production, and greatly simplifying the installation process,” Van Dell stated.

Rho Ventures led the B series financing round. Battery Ventures, which led series A funding, also participated in series B. The Texas Emerging Technology Fund participated as an investor and contributed $1.5 million to the B round as well.

With the recent growth and funding, SolarBridge has also doubled the size of its corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, and, by year-end, will have 75 employees worldwide.

For more information, visit the SolarBridge website.