Wall Street Journal Names SolarMagic Power Optimizer Runner-Up for 2009 Technology Innovation Award

National Semiconductor Corp. today announced that its SolarMagic power optimizer was named a runner-up in the Energy category for the Wall Street Journal’s 2009 Technology Innovations Awards. The Wall Street Journal received 500 nominations for this year’s competition, a record for the nine year running award program. A panel of judges was assembled to evaluate products that were truly revolutionary, and this year considered their value in a down economy.

Judges noted SolarMagic power optimizers and their ability to generate more power when panels are in the shade. Shade, debris and other forms of panel mismatch affecting just a single solar panel can cause the entire array to underperform. For example, as little as 10 percent shade on one panel can result in a 50 percent energy loss. However, with SolarMagic power optimizers, an array owner can recoup over 50 percent of lost power.

In May, SolarMagic received the prestigious Intersolar Award 2009 in the Photovoltaics category. The Wall Street Journal’s recognition marks the latest milestone for SolarMagic as industry experts begin to note SolarMagic power optimizers’ success in maximizing the energy output of solar arrays when affected by real-world conditions.