Does anyone have any experience with these units?
Do they work with off grid lower voltages? Do they work with all controllers? Do they affect MPPT function positively or negatively? Do they work well with Grid tie? How would you gauge the increased performance? Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc www.solarwork.com E - d...@solarwork.com V - 970.626.5253 F - 970.626.4140 C - 970.209.4076 "I'd put my money on solar energy. I hope we don't have to wait 'til oil and coal run out before we tackle that." -Thomas Edison, in conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, March 1931 SolarMagic <http://www.solarmagic.com/> T Technology Home -- Solar for the Real World SolarMagic Power Optimizer <http://www.intersolar.de/index.php?id=271&L=1> <http://www.intersolar.de/index.php?id=271&L=1> http://www.solarmagic.com/vcm/SolarMagic_Content/images/en_US/IS09_AWARD-SIG NET-sm.jpg <http://www.intersolar.de/index.php?id=271&L=1> Today's photovoltaic arrays are defined as strings of series-connected PV panels, which are then paralleled together and converted to AC power through an inverter. The key challenge of these arrays is how a small amount of real-world mismatch with just a few of the PV panels can cut the power output of the entire array in half. This mismatch can come in the form of shading (e.g. trees, chimneys, overhead power lines, bird droppings, handrails, etc.), panel-to-panel mismatch, different panel orientations and tilts, or different string lengths. http://www.solarmagic.com/vcm/SolarMagic_Content/images/en_US/SM-Unit-headon -sm.jpgAs a result of these mismatches, system integrators are often forced to compromise their installation by various methods, such as reducing the size of the array to avoid shade, accepting a lower energy output per square meter, or adding extra panels in a different part of the array, all of which cost money, efficiency, and/or aesthetics for the system owner. To maximize the energy output of each solar PV panel in the array, National Semiconductor has developed SolarMagic technology, which enables each solar panel to produce the maximum energy regardless of whether other panels in the array are under-performing due to mismatch. SolarMagic technology monitors and maximizes the energy harvest of each individual PV panel through advanced algorithms combined with leading-edge mixed-signal technology, thereby recouping up to 57% of the lost energy due to mismatches. The SolarMagic power optimizer is designed to be installed quickly and easily within the traditional architecture of a solar array. Each power optimizer comes with a universal mounting bracket for easy attachment to a racking system. The output wires of each solar panel are simply series-connected to a power optimizer (positive wire to positive wire, negative to negative), with the power optimizer output wires correspondingly connecting into the next solar panel's power optimizer. All SolarMagic power optimizers come with a limited 20-year warranty, thereby ensuring the reliability of the panel-mounted electronics matches the panels themselves.
<<image001.jpg>>
<<image002.jpg>>
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org