Green Technology

National Semiconductor conducted field trials of its power optimizers this spring, at HaWi Energietechnik AG in Eggenfelden (Munich), Germany. The trial shows that the company's technology can cut the energy loss associated with partial shading of a solar array, which is a likely situation in real-world installations. ...

... "In tests conducted at HaWi's facility in Eggenfelden / Munich, a structure representing obstructions shaded a portion of a conventionally wired solar photovoltaic system. Although 16 percent to 20 percent of the array was shaded, it resulted in average power losses of nearly 28 percent. However, an identical solar array fitted with National's SolarMagic power optimizers produced on average between 7 percent and 21 percent more electricity in the same conditions, effectively recouping 54.4 percent of the lost power. National developed SolarMagic technology to improve the energy harvest of solar installations. Real-world conditions such as shading, debris and panel aging can lead to disproportionate power losses in solar arrays. For example, shading of less than 10 percent of the surface of a solar panel can slash power output by 50 percent. " ...

Via National Semiconductor: Energy Field Trial