National Semiconductor is entering the photovoltaic market with new technology designed to increase the effectiveness of solar panels under variable light conditions.

National’s SolarMagic™ technology recoups up to 50 percent of the lost energy, dramatically improving the economics in shaded and other real-world conditions. The SolarMagic technology maximizes the energy output of each solar panel, compensating for much of the energy lost due to shadows from tree branches or power lines, dust and debris, and panel-to-panel mismatch.

Today’s solar installations are disproportionately impacted by shading conditions, which significantly limits the design, location, and energy output of typical residential solar installations. Shading conditions can even invalidate local and government incentives, making these installations cost-prohibitive. National’s SolarMagic technology minimizes the system impact of shading and other outdoor conditions, maximizing the energy output of each solar panel.