In a traditional solar system modules are connected in strings of 15 to 25 solar panels. The performance and behaviour of the strings is defined by the module with the lowest performance and monitored on a string level.
In smart solar systems, the performance and behaviour of every single solar panel is monitored and optimized by an optimizer. This results in higher productivity and improved safety standards.
The main advantage is that initial investment costs are lower because technology is relatively simple. In case of limited shading effects the traditional solar system yields high production.
However the traditional systems’ safety features are not as sophisticated as for smart solar systems.
The main advantages of smart solar are increased safety and lower operational costs because of module-based monitoring and steering. And even in areas with shading, smart solar still yields high production due to panel-based optimization.
A smart solar utility yields higher return over the lifetime of the solar utility and is future proof.
Smart solar installations yield a higher return on investment (ROI) over the full lifetime of the installation. In the short term a traditional system requires lower investment costs. However, on the longer term the more efficient operations and the longer warranty periods result in higher return on investment for smart solar utilities over the full lifetime of the investment.
On top of that, Smart solar is future proof by exceeding the increasing safety requirements of regulators and insurance companies.
