What are Power Optimizers? Everything You Need to Know

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February 25, 2022

What are Power Optimizers? Everything You Need to Know

As a homeowner, installing solar panels on your property is a great way to save money on your energy costs over multiple decades. They offer a bunch of benefits for commercial and residential properties. And because it is a source of renewable energy it reduces the carbon emissions and protects the environment. Simultaneously, the solar panel technology is advancing rapidly with the time so that everyone can take benefits of it. Earlier, let’s say 10 years ago, solar panels were mostly installed only on north facing roofs. Now, the technology has made it possible to install solar Pv system even on the most complex roofs.

What are solar optimisers and how do they work?

Power optimizers are used to maximize the output of the solar panels, in short they are used to increase the productivity of the current that passes along the strings of solar panels. Power optimizers deliver the same current to the string inverter that is known to convert DC energy to AC energy. In short they are connected to the string inverter. The two basic reasons why power optimisers are used on the property:
Complex installations: If your roof doesn’t have north facing roof or the suitable angles to install the solar panels, power output can be of great help. Optimizers will help panels perform at the optimal range in presence of sun. Meaning, the single panel will not be affected by the power production supply other modules in your solar power system may be facing.
Shading issues: Your property may receive partial shading during the day and might produce lower output due to that. Using the optimizers can improve the power production of your solar modules whenever sun shines on them.

Are power optimizers safe to use?

Definitely yes, power optimisers are designed to automatically reduce the DC voltage of the solar panels to a safe level in case of following conditions:
• When the optimizers and modules are disconnected
• When the safety switches are turned off
• When the system suspects faults
• When the power goes out and inverter shuts

What are the advantages and disadvantages of power optimizers?

Every technology has its own advantages and disadvantages, let’s highlight a few of power optimizers:
Advantages

1. Small size inverter

If you have limited space at your property then power optimizers are a great choice. The inverter will be small and voltage cleaning and tracking occur at individual level.

2. Individual panel monitoring

Power optimizers can help you track the performance of individual solar panels in real time. They track the output voltage and peak efficiency of each panel.

3. Increased panel efficiency in shading

A power optimizer is known to increase the efficiency of panels that face shading and in resulting into increasing overall output of your solar system
Disadvantages

1. High installation costs

Power optimizers are installed to every modules on the roof which increases the cost of the system and installation cost. However, it can pay off within some years.

2. Warranties are different

The inverters connected with the power optimizers have the warranty of 5-10 years. However, the standard warranty of the power optimizers is 25 years.
Are power optimizers worth it?

If your roof faces shading during the day power optimizers are the best to increase the efficiency of your solar panels. Power optimizers are definitely a worthwhile investment for both commercial and residential properties. Speak to one of our LocalChamp consultant and get connected to one of the leading solar providers of the industry and adorn your property with solar energy.

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