The Top 10 Most Common Myths about Traditional DC Power Optimizers: Part 3 of 3

Blair Reynoldsby Blair Reynolds (guest post), , 19 Comments

DC Power OptimizersNow that we’ve explored the top ten common myths of traditional DC optimizers, you’re probably thinking, “OK then, what makes SMA’s ShadeFix optimization so much better?” Before we get into that, here’s a recap of the top ten myths in case you’d like a refresher:

Myths 1-5
  1. Power Optimizers generate more energy for shaded PV arrays
  2. Traditional Power Optimizers generate more additional energy than they consume
  3. Power Optimizers (or microinverters) are required for Code Compliance
  4. Power Optimizers detect ‘failed’ PV modules
  5. Traditional Power Optimizers are 99% efficient
Myths 6-10 
  1. Traditional Power Optimizers help me design longer-strings… and that’s a good thing
  2. Traditional Power Optimizers are inherently safer
  3. Traditional Power Optimizers reduce my O&M costs
  4. By standardizing on Power Optimizers I realize cost savings in my installation business
  5. Traditional Power Optimizers are good for the environment

A Superior Way to Optimize PV Systems: ShadeFix

SMA ShadeFix optimization has been proven to produce more energy than traditional optimizers. And if that wasn’t enough, superior technology and a reduced component count reduce lifetime service needs and can cut truck rolls in half.

Check out the new resources below to learn a more effective way to optimize PV systems.

Video

SMA ShadeFix Optimization Outperforms!

WhitepaperShadeFix Optimization

A new university study found that SMA ShadeFix optimization produces more energy than traditional optimizers.

Read the white paper

Webinars

SMA Optimization Webinar

SMA recently partnered with Greentech Media and the SunSpec Alliance on a webinar discussing PV system optimization, risk reduction and effective service strategies.

Watch the webinar

SMA Residential PV optimizer

Do you want a more in-depth, technical understanding of PV system optimization? The SMA Solar Academy is one of the best resources at your fingertips, and it’s free!

Sign up for online training

The SunSpec Alliance

Rapid Shutdown

The SunSpec Alliance is the industry’s foremost thought leader in PV standardization. Their work in the field of rapid shutdown is reducing business risk for installers and system owners alike.

Learn more about SunSpec

SMA Service

SMA Service

Reducing service liability is of paramount importance for installers. SMA Smart Connected technology is a proactive service capability that can cut truck rolls in half, allowing installers to focus on revenue generating activities instead of service calls. Additionally, SMA’s Online Service Center helps to speed resolution of service needs.

Learn about SMA Smart Connected

Access the SMA Online Service Center

The SMA Insider

SMA America News

Do you want to stay up to date with the latest from SMA? Our monthly newsletter is a great resource for news, tech tips and more!

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Tags: ,

This article was published in 2021. As we are constantly developing our solutions, there may be newer or additional options for the tips and techniques in this article.

19 Comments
  1. Derek Wadsworth
    Derek Wadsworth says:

    Please tell us who, what, where, when, and how to get a NEC 2020 compliant RSD device that works with the SMA inverters. Specifically the “receiver” or junction box device to put at the array. We can’t seem to find any readily available options and hence still feel beholden to either SolarEdge or Enphase until the NEC code changes or another very easy to use product is readily available. Does SMA make them? Thanks….

    Reply
    • Mike
      Mike says:

      Derek, please see the list of SMA approved SunSpec compatible receivers here. This document lists the options for use with the US-41 line of Sunny Boy and CORE1 inverters from SMA, which provide full 2020 NEC 690.12 compliance. The JMS-F unit has an SMA part number and can be sourced from out Authorized Distributor partners shown on this page. More information about the APSmart devices can be found at https://apsmartglobal.com. If you have any further questions about availability, please contact InsideSales@SMA-America.com .

      Reply
  2. Roger Taylor
    Roger Taylor says:

    Hello,

    The link to the White Paper referenced in this “Blog” is not active and I would like to read this new university research. Can you please E-Mail it to me or make the link active.

    Many thanks

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. … [Trackback]

    […] Read More to that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  2. … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 32648 additional Info on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  3. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Info here on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  4. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Info here to that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  5. … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Info here on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  6. … [Trackback]

    […] Info to that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  7. kspods.com says:

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Information here on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  8. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Info here on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  9. … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 55280 more Information on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  10. … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 12456 more Information to that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  11. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Info here on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  12. … [Trackback]

    […] Info to that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  13. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More on to that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  14. … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Info here on that Topic: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

  15. My Homepage says:

    … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 81891 more Infos: sma-sunny.com/us/the-top-10-most-common-myths-about-traditional-dc-power-optimizers-part-3-of-3/ […]

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>