Chapter 1: Introducing the SolarEdge Power
Harvesting System
The SolarEdge power harvesting solution is designed to maximize the power output from any type of
solar Photovoltaic (PV) installation while reducing the average cost per watt. The following sections
describe each of the system's components.
Figure 1: The SolarEdge power harvesting system components
SolarEdge Power Optimizer
The SolarEdge power optimizers are DC-DC converters connected to PV modules in order to maximize
power harvesting by performing independent Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) at the module
level.
The power optimizers regulate the string voltage at a constant level, regardless of string length and
environmental conditions.
The power optimizers include a safety voltage function that automatically reduces the output of each
power optimizer to 1 Vdc in the following cases:
During fault conditions
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The power optimizers are disconnected from the inverter
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The inverter ON/OFF switch is turned OFF
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The safety switch on the Connection Unit is turned OFF
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The inverter AC breaker is turned OFF
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Each power optimizer also transmits module performance data over the DC power line to the inverter.
Two types of power optimizers are available:
Module Add-on power optimizer – connected to one or more modules
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Smart m odules - t he p ower optimizer is embedded into a module
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Extended Power Commercial Inverter Installation Guide MAN-01-00402-1.0
Chapter 1: Introducing the SolarEdge Power Harvesting System
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