Effectively, optimizers allow for flexible solar system designs and layouts — with multiple panel orientations, tilts, azimuths, and module types in a given string. If the site of your roof or ground-mounted solar PV system is shaded, a system with panel optimizers will yield greater energy harvest than a system paired with a string inverter system. Power optimizers like SolarEdge also come with built-in safety features. One such feature is a rapid-shutdown response when the grid goes down, intended to make servicing or accessing the system safer for installers and emergency personnel like firefighters.
As the National Electric Code NEC surrounding solar electrical installation undergoes new iterations, MLPE such as power optimizers will play an important role in making solar installations safer to work around and easier to service.
Effectively, solar panel optimizers like SolarEdge offer many of the same benefits of microinverters. Optimizer systems like SolarEdge tend to be slightly less expensive than Enphase microinverters, especially as the system size increases. When thinking about your solar PV system, one should be informed about all the options they have in terms of solar panel and inverter equipment.
Your Solar. We are ready to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. Please call or click the button below and one of our friendly solar experts will be in touch very soon! We toured the floor Read More. SolarEdge is an Israeli-based company offering PV solar inverters. We outline the benefits and drawbacks of each technology to help you make the right inverter decision for your solar investment. String inverters, power optimizers and microinverters differ in the way power electronics are located, and here is a summary of their pros and cons.
Inverter types Pros Cons String inverters Easy to maintain Proven technology with predictable reliability records Low cost Only string-level monitoring Only string-level MPPT Difficult to expand system size in the future without buying a new inverter Power optimizers Individual panel MPPT is a great solution to partial shading Panel-level monitoring available Panel-level rapid shutdown Difficult to expand system size in the future without buying a new inverter Difficult to maintain with partial electronics on the roof Microinverters Individual panel MPPT is a great solution to partial shading Panel-level monitoring available Panel-level rapid shutdown Easy to expand system size in the future Safer, low operating AC voltage compatible with the grid Most expensive Difficult to maintain due to electronics on the roof.
String inverters are the most popular inverter type on the market, with the most mature power electronics technology.
Major solar inverter brands such as SMA , Delta , Fronius and KACO made their names from manufacturing central and string inverters that convert DC energy from solar panels into AC energy that is compatible with the grid and powers home appliances.
The whole string of solar panels is wired in series to reach a few hundred volts to drive the inverter. And the inverter itself can optimise the performance of the whole module string through its MPPT algorithm, to make sure the solar panels operate at the maximum power no matter the weather conditions.
The string inverters are usually installed indoors at the ground level in an accessible location, therefore string inverters are known to be quite easy to maintain. Since string inverters only optimise solar panel production at string level, whenever partial shading occurs , such as bird dropping , trees, or a chimney, the MPPT algorithm has trouble separating the shaded module performance from unshaded modules.
As a result of the module mismatch, the output of the module string is dragged down by the lowest performer, reducing the production of otherwise perfect modules. MLPE stands for Module Level Power Electronics, and it is a generation of solar inverter technologies that can solve the shortcoming of string inverters, such as partial shading.
MLPEs solve the partial shading issue by installing power electronics at every solar panel, and thus providing a finer MPPT control at each solar module. Since MLPEs have dedicated electronics at each solar module, the electronics can perform MPPT on each panel individually, with other features including measuring power outputs and rapid shutdown. Module-level MPPT can reduce the impact of module mismatch caused by individual panel shading, soiling, by isolating the low power module from the perfect ones.
This way, when any particular module is shaded, other unobstructed panels can still operate at full strength, instead of being dragged down like the string inverter system. MLPEs can measure the performance of individual panels, which leads to more sophisticated monitoring systems that let owners see the output of each panel, and makes it easier to pinpoint module defects when troubleshooting. A common problem with solar systems is the risk of electrocution to firefighters in the event of a fire during the day.
An MPPT and monitoring module is installed at every solar panel that optimises the panel individually to minimize shading and mismatch impact on the system. Major power optimizer brands include SolarEdge and Tigo. Apart from the additional optimizer between each panel and the inverter, the architecture is essentially the same as a string inverter system. Therefore, a SolarEdge inverter can be installed at ground-level for easy maintenance, while the less complex MLPE circuits stay on the roof, and have similar reliability as the solar panels.
Though the event is rare, in the event of an optimizer failure, it is a costly exercise to replace a power optimizer on the roof. Microinverters allow you to more easily expand the size of your solar panel array down the road. Instead, that transformation happens behind every single panel. Therefore, you can easily plop down as many more panels onto your array as you like at a later date and enjoy enhanced electrical production.
However, microinverters are more expensive to install than power optimizers. They are also bulkier, with more complex circuitry than power optimizers. The added amount of technology up on your roof can mean more potential for your structure to be hit by lightning strikes. DC optimizers inverters are a great option for solar systems with challenging installation considerations like shade or multiple roof angles.
They allow you to harvest significantly more electricity under these conditions at a price competitive with traditional string inverter setups. DC optimizers have an advantage over microinverters, in that they cost less, perform a similar function, and route power to a central inverter instead of relying on multiple units which may fail or be difficult to monitor and repair. For more thoughts on deciding which type of solar inverter system is right for you, visit our guide to choosing the best solar inverter for your home.
As always, if you are confused or are looking for more clarification, we recommend connecting with our network of solar installers to offer guidance and provide you custom savings estimates. Dan is a solar journalist and content advisor with SolarReviews. He also works with solar installers and solar nonprofits to develop and execute strategic plans.
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Compare prices and reviews of solar providers near you online Start 33, Company reviews. What are DC power optimizers? Image source: SolarEdge Advantages of DC power optimizers Power optimizers have several advantages over other grid-tie inverter systems like microinverters.
Here are some of them to consider: More efficiency in partially shaded conditions As outlined in the summary above, DC power optimizers allow you to harvest significantly more electricity when your panels are partially shaded or facing multiple angles. Individual-level panel monitoring Power optimizers are a type of module-level power electronics MLPE. DC-coupled battery options Since solar panels and batteries both operate in DC electricity, it makes a lot more sense to feed the DC energy output from your solar panels directly to your battery storage.
System oversizing The SolarEdge StorEdge system allows you to connect a much larger-sized solar array to your inverter. How much can you save by going solar? Calculate Now. Find out how many solar panels you need to power your home Calculate Now. Dan Hahn Solar Journalist.
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