Partial deployment, interpreting reclaimed energy figures
My installation consists of a single string of 14 panels. 12 are on an unshaded roof and 2 are on a lower roof that is partially shaded. My installer has fitted optimizers on the two shaded panels. How do I interpret the reclaimed figures in this set up? I don't get figures for the 12 panels that, presumably, benefit from the presence of the optimizers on the 2.
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Hi Steve, this is a great question that we often get. The only part of the array that receives any benefit from the optimizers are the two modules that have them installed. What your installer has done is what we call partial deployment, presumably to save some money on the remaining 12 modules.
You don't get something for nothing in this industry. While you saved ~$500 by not purchasing the optimizers, you do not have full visibility on the other 12. It's like having a home with 14 rooms, but you only have security cameras in 2 of them. However, there is some good news!
Since the other 12 modules do not suffer shading, they do not need the TS4-A-O optimizers. You could purchase the Tigo TS4-A-S get module level monitoring on your entire array, but save $5-10 per unit.
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Hmmm.... is your statement "The only part of the array that receives any benefit from the optimizers are the two modules that have them installed" strictly true though? All fourteen panels are in series. If the shaded panels did not have optimizers fitted would not the output of the other twelve panels be affected?
The other part of my question is, I suppose, is there any harm in having added the other twelve panels to the system diagram? (nevermind that it is maybe pointless!)
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The voltage from the optimized modules will mix with the voltage from the others. It boils down to what the inverter sees as the overall voltage from the array strings. The TS4s will optimize their modules, but the rest are on their own. Presumably, since they are not shaded, the string should be fairly even and the inverter MPPT shouldn't have to work too hard.
I would absolutely add all modules to the array system diagram! Might as well see everything up there. The 12 will appear black and will not have any module data.
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