What is a Power Optimizer? | Solar.com

Please enter a valid zip code.

What is a Power Optimizer?

 

When deciding on solar equipment it’s important to know what options are available. Different equipment suits different situations better. A power optimizer is ideal for situations where shading is prevalent or when your solar system falls on multiple roof surfaces with different orientations.

Let’s dive into the details!

A power optimizer is a combination of both a string and micro inverter. It is a module-level power electronic (MLPE) device that increases the solar panel system’s energy output by constantly measuring the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of each individual solar panel and adjusts DC characteristics to maximize energy output. The panel optimizers relay performance characteristics via a monitoring system to facilitate operations and any necessary solar panel maintenance.

For more details on micro and string inverter, check the video below.

The Solar Industry’s Top Power Optimizer

The market leader in DC optimizers is SolarEdge. SolarEdge’s monitoring portal allows module-level monitoring, free of any additional charge to the installer, customer, or owner.

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. This is because when just one or several panels in a string of panels is shaded, their output is diminished to the “lowest common denominator” of that string. While an optimizer-inverter system may be slightly more expensive than a string inverter system (2-3% more for the entire system), the financial gains from increased energy harvest should offset the additional cost and are usually worth the investment if your solar project site has multiple azimuths, tilts, or is shaded.

SolarEdge Power Optimizer

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. One key thing to note is that most power optimizers, like SolarEdge, carry a manufacturer’s warranty of 25 years. The SolarEdge inverter unit carries a manufacturer’s warranty ranging from 12-25 years – note that this is longer than most string inverter warranties (usually 10 years).

Are Power Optimizers Right For Your Solar Panels?

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.com account manager can help you decide what type of inverter is best for your project, whether that’s a string, micro-, or power optimizer inverter system!

We are ready to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. Please call (888) 454-9979 or click the button below and one of our friendly solar experts will be in touch very soon!

Return to

Solar Inverters: Types, Pros and Cons

⇠ Return

See how much solar panels cost in your area.

Please enter a valid zip code.


Please enter a valid zip code.

Zero Upfront Cost. Best Price Guaranteed.

Topics

How To Find the Best Solar Panels for Your Home in 2024

Trying to determine the best solar panels for your home is like trying to determine the best car – there’s no one correct answer. Everybody...

Learn More

How Does Solar Power Work on a House? Your Questions Answered

How does solar power work? A simple explanation is that solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that can be used immediately or stored in batteries....

Learn More

Solar Panel Efficiency - Pick the Most Efficient Solar Panels

You may hear the term “efficiency” thrown around a lot when reading up on solar panels. It sure sounds like a good thing, but what...

Learn More

Solar Providers Near Me

When beginning your home solar project, you might start by searching “Solar Providers Near Me.” Then, you'll be presented with dozens of different solar companies...

Learn More

Solar Panel Installation Process

Transitioning to power from solar panels is an exciting step for homeowners. There are several steps in the process which ensure the homeowner gets a...

Learn More

Charging Your EV With Solar Panels and Using the EV Tax Credit To Lower the Cost

Ditching your gas-guzzler for an electric vehicle (EV) is a great way to lower the cost and emissions of getting from A to B. But...

Learn More

Community Solar

It’s no secret that many of us spend a large portion of our income on energy and electricity bills. In fact, in 2012 we spent...

Learn More

Solar for Condo Owners

Solar for condominium unit owners is gaining steady popularity throughout the country, as more and more states are writing legislation to promote clean energy accessibility....

Learn More

Key Solar Terms

Going solar isn't something people do everyday and unless you have an electrical engineering degree, it's likely you'll bump into some new phrases and terms....

Learn More