Use optimizers - Help

[Michalis Angeli]

Partial shadings of some sub-modules: when one or several cells are shaded, the whole sub-module becomes reverse-biased, the by-pass diode is activated above the current corresponding to the residual power of the diffuse part. This results in a quite different situation as the previous one: the true Pmpp maximum is decreased in voltage (voltage of each sub-module, plus the diode reverse voltage), but the current remains the same Impp. I would like to ask if that sentence "the true Pmpp maximum is decreased in voltage (voltage of each sub-module, plus the diode reverse voltage), but the current remains the same Impp".            is the result (a benefit) by using optimizers ?? Thank you!

[André Mermoud]

Yes, the optimizers may yield a little benefit, especially with irregular shading situations  (building integration).

With sheds arrangements, the benefit is really very low.  

For a simple system in sheds like this  (3 rows of 16 modules in landscape on each table)

the annual results  (at Marseille ) are shown  here for different optimizer technologies.

NB: most optimizers on the market are "Buck only". Only SolarEdge uses Buck/Boost.