National Semiconductor showcased their SolarMagic solar power optimizers at this year’s Solar Power International conference. Built upon Nationals analog power management circuits, SolarMagic power optimizers give back PV system owners much of the power they currently lose to real-world conditions including partial shade, panel aging, and irregular array designs. Field-testing has shown SolarMagic recoups up to 57 percent of power losses. The Buildaroo News Team inteviewed Genevieve Vansteeg of Solar Magic about their power optimizers. Watch the video above to see this product and hear what she had to say. The problem: Because of their sequential wiring, power mismatch between PV modules within a string can lead to a drastic and disproportionate loss of power from the entire solar array, in some cases leading to complete system failure. Shading of as little as 9% of the entire surface array of a PV system can, in some circumstances, lead to a system-wide power loss of as much as 54%. Obstructions are cumulative in their effect on PV systems and can worsen over time. A residence with a mature tree may have partial shade, seasonal leaves and other debris, and intermittent bird droppings, which can add up quickly to a significant obstruction. This cumulative effect can cause very large reductions in overall power output. The Solution: SolarMagic technology can recover up to 57 % of PV panel lost power. Some important points: Retrofits: SolarMagic Technology Compensates for …
