crossy
Solar Addict
Thread title says it all really.
Do I have to place optimizers on every panel or just the ones with shading issues?
Do I have to place optimizers on every panel or just the ones with shading issues?
It doesn't say which kind of optimizers. If a SolarEdge system, yes. As pointed out above, Tigo does not require every panel.Thread title says it all really.
It doesn't say which kind of optimizers. If a SolarEdge system, yes. As pointed out above, Tigo does not require every panel.
Mainly because at this time I don't know, I'd not even investigated much before this "problem" came up in conversation.
I have a potential location where a couple of panels out of a 6S string would get shaded later in the day. Running as 3S2P might be OK (still within the MPPT operating range), it's certainly cheaper.
It depends. You can't for instance selective optimise panels with Tigo if there are strings in parallel. In that case you would need to put an optimiser on every panel (or none).As pointed out above, Tigo does not require every panel.
bolded should be "will definitely"
If it's "might," you may be too close to the Voc limits of the MPPT. If these are 72 cell panels, and your MPPT limit is 150V, then it definitely WILL NOT be OK unless you have an extremely stable year-round temperature like in the tropics.
Actually, 3S will possibly be on the LOW end of the MPPT voltage range, 6S is mid-range (MPPT operating range is 120-450V).
Panels are Vmp 38.2V so we are definitely scraping the bottom limit. I may just get the panels up as 6S and see how they perform with just the bypass diodes. There isn't space to add two more panels for a 4S2P arrangement
But the Voc over-voltage issue can never be stated too often, particularly in the cooler climes (we are indeed tropical, 18C is decidedly chilly).
I hadn't seen that one before (Mark is pretty knowledgeable in this area) and it's consistent with the experience of others I mentioned earlier.I found this article (on Tigo optimizers) very interesting.
Unknown relevancy: APSystems QS1 microinverters each handle 4 panels. They have newer models this fall. They are on my roof but not yet connected or used.I hadn't seen that one before (Mark is pretty knowledgeable in this area) and it's consistent with the experience of others I mentioned earlier.
If I thought a system was going to need optimisers, I'd just go with microinverters instead.
Do they handle each panel individually, or as a single block of four?Unknown relevancy: APSystems QS1 microinverters each handle 4 panels. They have newer models this fall. They are on my roof but not yet connected or used.