Dynamic Peak Manager - PV shading - Fronius Solar Energy

Lower losses in the case of partial shading of PV systems

Intelligent shade management

A photovoltaic system should be as unshaded as possible all year round to deliver high yields. This can be taken into account when the system is planned. However, this is not always possible or the environment may change over time, resulting in partial shading of the PV modules. New buildings or construction elements such as chimneys, dormer windows, power cables or growing trees could be responsible for this.

This kind of shading has a negative impact on the yield of a photovoltaic system and should not be underestimated. But there is a solution:

The intelligent shade management, which is part of the inverter software can reduce yield losses to a minimum - without the hassle of additional hardware on the roof!

Dynamic Peak Manager – intelligent shade management

The Dynamic Peak Manager is a shade management solution that is integrated into the inverter and maximizes the yield of a photovoltaic system despite shading – and all without installing additional components.

With Fronius Dynamic Peak Manager, you can always bring out the best for your customers – even when there is partial shading. This highly efficient MPP tracking algorithm detects any shade and optimizes the yield at the string level. Not only does this cost less because there are fewer system components, it also keeps installation and service (O&M) costs to a minimum.

Efficient

The highly efficient MPP tracking algorithm detects any shade and optimizes the yield at the string level.

The Dynamic Peak Manager regularly scans the entire voltage output curve to always find the most efficient operating point of the photovoltaic system, resulting in maximum yields despite shading.

Safe

The Fronius shade management solution requires no additional components at PV module level. It is already integrated into the inverter and therefore protected against external influences.

Not only does this increase system reliability, but it also minimises the failure and fire risk for the photovoltaic system.

Sustainable

A shade management solution at PV module level often leads to a higher failure rate and therefore greater servicing requirements.

At Fronius, all the power electronics including shade management are integrated into the inverter - with smart software. This means that there is no need to replace components on the PV module.

How the Dynamic Peak Manager works

The Dynamic Peak Manager is a highly efficient shade-tolerant algorithm, which analyzes the entire I/V curve at regular intervals.

This means that the Dynamic Peak Manager always finds the global Maximum Power Point (GMPP).

Higher yield despite shading of PV systems in practice

Photovoltaic system size: 3.3 kWp
Orientation: South-west
Tilt angle: 19.5°
Shadow: Partially shaded

On a sunny day, the yield of this system complete with the Fronius Dynamic Peak Manager is 7% higher than it is for systems without shade management.

With Dynamic Peak Manager

Without Dynamic Peak Manager

Power optimizers in the case of shading of PV systems

DC power optimizers adjust the voltage of shaded PV modules by boosting or decreasing it. The component requires energy to do this.

The more shade there is, the higher the energy consumption of the optimizer, and the lower the efficiency. This means, especially in partial shading situations, that power optimizers often cannot compensate for the shade, so they do not generate a higher yield.

Another disadvantage of DC-optimized systems is the large number of components on the roof.

Each power optimizer sits directly behind the PV module on the roof and is therefore continuously exposed to heat, cold, rain, and snow. This is bad for the sensitive power electronics and can have repercussions for servicing and fire risks.

The number of defects in DC connectors, which represent the main source of photovoltaic system problems, is tripled in DC-optimized systems.

Conclusion:
Using DC power optimizers provides no added economic value. Instead, the risk of system failure increases, which results in additional costs due to greater service requirements.

System with string inverters – 21 plug connections

System with DC optimisers – 61 plug connections

Bypass diodes prevent losses in the case of PV shading

Over the years, the false belief that a shaded PV module also limits the power of all other PV modules in the same string has become established in many peoples’ minds.

But the cells in PV modules are usually combined with three so-called bypass diodes. If the PV module is in shadow, the diode becomes conductive and the affected part of the module is bypassed. The other PV modules, however, continue to perform at full power.

This ensures that a shaded PV module does not affect the power of the other PV modules in the same string.

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Solar Energy

Dynamic Peak Manager Profitable PV Systems Despite Shading