corn18
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2015
- Messages
- 1,890
Yes, the distributed systems all have the MPPT function built into the panel-mounted electronics.
For the "power optimizer" systems, I am still trying to find out more info to satisfy my curiosity. In one design that I have seen, each panel box has a DC-DC step-up converter with MPPT function to pump the panel voltage of around 50V up to 400VDC. This 400VDC bus voltage of the array is brought down to a large DC-AC inverter mounted by the power meter/circuit breaker box.
The systems I have seen have what is called a micro inverter on each panel. They aren't cheap, but sure solves the shading issue. I haven't seen a lot of folks using them on DIY solar forums, but they are there.