When the sun hits a solar panel, it creates DC electricity. When panels are strung together, all the DC power usually gets sent along to a central string inverter. The inverter converts the power into AC electricity your home appliances use.
This setup works very well for a majority of solar system setups. However, if you have a roof with partial shading issues or multiple orientations, your power output will suffer. That’s because the production of the string of panels is limited by the performance of the worst performing panel.
In the challenging solar installation conditions outlined above, the maximum power you can create with each panel varies. That’s because the amount of power each panel generates depends on temperature, amount of sunlight, and special characteristics of the power load. When panels face multiple directions or some are shaded, these factors differ across the array.
Power optimisers account for this problem by using a technology called maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Smart researchers figured out that if you can track the maximum power of each panel in real time, then smooth and condition the electricity each panel generates before sending it along to the inverter, your inverter can process much more electricity.
To do this job, power optimisers are affixed to the back of each individual solar panel in your array. They turn individual panels into smart modules by tracking their peak output and regulating their voltage before sending the power along to your central inverter.
The result is optimised performance for every single panel in your solar system, regardless of orientation to the sun, shade, or even damage to one or more of the panels.
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Get a QuoteSolar panel optimisers improve the efficiency of the solar PV system by individually optimising each panel’s electricity production. There are different types of optimiser and some solar panels even have optimisers already built in. Optimisers are connected up to the panel where it then works by using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). They then adjust the maximum power point when outside factors start to affect how much electricity is being produced. It adjusts the voltage and current so that the panel keeps achieving its peak efficiency. As a result, even if a single panel starts to underperform, it doesn’t affect the panels connected up to the system.
Optimisers reduce the negative impact that outside elements have on your solar panels output. If during the day, some of your panels are cast in the shade as the sun position changes, optimisers ensure that only those panels are affected and not the whole system. Temperature also affects how productive solar panels work. Optimisers regulate the voltage output by converting direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC).
You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but it is always best practice to hire a professional solar panel installer to fit solar panel optimisers to your panels. The task involves a fair amount of expertise to ensure each individual panel is optimised. The solar panel system will need retrofitting to incorporate the optimisers, resulting in an involved job that is best left in the hands of someone with ample experience and the skills required to get the job done to a high standard.
At Solar Magic, our team of experienced solar panel installers and electricians are trained and qualified to optimise existing solar PV panel systems. If you’re looking to install a new system that’s fully optimised, you may wish to consider having smart solar panels installed as an alternative as they have optimisers already built in. It is also worth noting that not all solar panels can have optimisers installed. So we recommend that you arrange to have someone survey your property and your solar panel system. They can recommend the best solution to optimising your system so you can get the most out of your panels.