SolarEdge Retrofit Products – Overview

Extract more energy from your existing systems by adding SolarEdge power optimizers. Learn how and why.

WHY RETROFIT?

Traditional inverters are by definition unable to single out the IV curves of individual modules, let alone adjust current and voltage per module. Instead, traditional inverters track the maximum power point collectively for an array of modules.

By taking a “one-size-fits-all” approach traditional inverters compromise on receiving an average system output in which weaker modules hamper the output of stronger modules in the array. The energy that is lost as a result, can commonly be referred to as module-mismatch loss.

Module mismatch occurs when modules in an array do not exhibit fully identical electrical properties or when they are exposed to different environmental conditions. Module mismatch leads to a different maximum power point (MPP) per module.

SolarEdge power optimizers perform MPP tracking for each module individually and therefore extract the maximum energy from each module, regardless of other modules in the string.

Sources of module-mismatch:

Partial shading & uneven soiling – causes different irradiance levels on different modules
Temperature gradient – heat convection across the solar array causes different temperature levels on different modules
Manufacturing tolerance & uneven aging rate – cause the modules to perform at different MPP parameters

Comparison of traditional systems with the SolarEdge: partially shaded modules

RETROFIT CONFIGURATIONS

If you already have a solar system that suffers from mismatch-related power losses, SolarEdge offers you two optional retrofit configurations:

1. Module Level Power Optimization

Adding a power optimizer to each module for added energy through module-level MPPT

MPPT on each PV module
The voltage and current adapted to each particular module

Traditional system
Every PV module in a string has the same current, regardless of their MPP.

2. Smart Module

In addition to power optimizers install the SolarEdge Safety and Monitoring Interface to enable:
- Additional energy through module-level MPPT
- Enhanced maintenance through module-level monitoring
- Automatic module level DC safety