PV OPTIMIZERS

[GHOSTNH]

recently hearing of pv optimzers  to help with panel shading and pv performance issues. My take is that they are mostly for grid tie string inverters .. since i have a 48volt inverter not a high voltage string inverter  would i even want to try using a optimzer attached to panels and then the optimzer attached to the midnite and that attached to the 48volt inverter ? is midnite solar  working on any optimizers?

[tecnodave]

Ghosthn,


Included with a new Classic is a full page warning about "optimizers",

I don't have at hand but it was titled


WARNING:  Danger of death to your Classic!

The warning was about optimizers! PM Halfcrazy about the details of this!

Beware!  Nuff said?

td

[GHOSTNH]

dave good to know
i searched the forum for optimizers and nothing came back... perhaps halfcrazy can post that info here for future reference.

my classic is @ 1 year old and there was no warning in it

[Resthome]

dave good to know
i searched the forum for optimizers and nothing came back... perhaps halfcrazy can post that info here for future reference.

my classic is @ 1 year old and there was no warning in it

Here you go.

[cybermaus]

That would also apply to Israely SolarEdge?

http://www.solaredge.com/groups/powerbox-power-optimizer

Last year they told me they were working to make the optimizers compatible with 3rd party inverters. So that they could theoretically work with off-grid (SolarEdge themselves only makes on-grid)

[GHOSTNH]

 thanks john

[tecnodave]

Cybermaus,

On grid tie the panels / optimizers connect directly to the inverter, on off grid the panels / optimizers connect to the charge controller. If the manufacturer is specifying "inverter compatibility" then they are talking about grid tie only.

The basic nature of the optimizer is to balance the voltage/current of all the panels. It does this with a DC to DC converter which can increase the total string voltage without regard to the voltage capability of the charge controller.  Most all grid tie inverters can handle 600 volts input for American markets or 1000 volts for Europe and many other areas, however most off grid controllers work at some lower maximum input voltage.

I would only consider this technology if the manufacturer is willing to guarantee compatibility with the exact model of charge controller that you are using....(IN WRITING).....and the manufacturer of the charge controller supports that use of that device....(IN WRITING)!!!!

Grid tie systems use longer strings of panels than off grid so partial shading is much more of an issue in grid tie.

Everything I have read so far does seem to indicate GRID TIE!!!

td