DC optimiser is a tiny gadget that either comes built into the solar panel or is connected underneath it when it is installed. They increase the output of the panels, and if one performs poorly due to shading, bird droppings, or other issues, it won’t affect the performance of the other panels in the string. They add between 5 and 15% to the output of solar panels. They are comparable to microinverters in this regard, however, they rely on a string inverter rather than converting the DC from the panel to AC.
How Does a DC Power Optimiser Work?
DC electricity is produced by the solar panel when the sun hits it. All of the DC power generated by panels strung together is typically transferred to a central string inverter. Your household appliances’ need for AC electricity is created by the inverter.
The bulk of solar system configurations benefits greatly from this setup. Your power production will suffer if your roof has different orientations or partial shading difficulties, though. This is so that the output of the string of panels is constrained by the performance of the panel with the lowest output.
The maximum electricity each panel can produce varies under the difficult solar installation conditions described above. This is due to the fact that each panel’s output is influenced by the temperature, sunshine intensity, and unique properties of the power load. These elements vary across the array depending on whether panels face several directions or are darkened.
Power optimizers use a technology known as maximum power point tracking to address this issue (MPPT). Clever experts discovered that your inverter can process significantly more electricity if you can monitor the maximum power of each panel in real time and smooth and condition the electricity each panel creates before transferring it to the inverter.
Power optimizers are attached to the back of each solar panel in your array to perform this function. By monitoring peak output and controlling voltage before the power is sent to your main inverter, they transform individual panels into smart modules.
As a result, every solar panel in your system performs at its best, regardless of how it is oriented towards the sun, whether it is in the shade, or even if one or more of the panels have been damaged.
Also Read: What is DC-to-DC Converter?
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of DC Optimiser?
There are various advantages and Disadvantages, among which the following are the most important:
1. Advantages:
More effectiveness when partially shaded: As mentioned in the summary above, when your panels are partially shaded or facing different directions, DC power optimizers enable you to generate much more electricity. In fact, DC power optimizers can help you get up to 25% more power, according to SolarEdge. Power optimizers are a fantastic choice if you want to install solar but know that your array will be partially shaded throughout the day.
2. Disadvantages:
limited options for inverters: The market for power optimizers is quite new. Since SolarEdge is currently the only manufacturer, other inverter brands cannot be used to link with their power optimizers.
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