Google’s Little Box Challenge and the Development of the True AC-Module
H. Oldenkamp · EU PVSEC · 2017
In July 2014 Google started an open competition challenging electronics engineers to design the smallest possible 2 kW inverter. The award for winning this Little Box Challenge (LBC) competition was a $1 000 000 prize. OKE-Services participated in this contest and was selected as one of the 18 finalists. The paper discusses the procedure, experiences and results of the Little Box Challenge, as well as the possible use of the designs for PV. Further OKE-Services’ Little Box inverter design is presented and the latest developments regarding a ‘true’ ac-module: a PV-module in which the inverter is fully integrated.