The recent Solar Power International trade show confirmed that shade mitigation products like micro-inverters and dc-dc power optimizers are the hottest new products in solar.
Enphase micro-inverters provide a convenient solution for dc-ac conversion, shade mitigation, and module level power production monitoring. Micro-inverters convert DC to AC power at each and every module in the array. This eliminates the difficult process of string sizing and reduces the problems related to more dangerous high voltage dc strings.
The Tigo Energy Maximizer dc-dc power optimizer offers shade mitigation, module level mpp tracking, module level production monitoring and they work with any string inverter (SMA, KACO, Fronius, PV Powered, Xantrex etc..). An additional important benefit of dc-dc power optimizers is they cut the string voltage down to module level voltage if the AC power is lost. This means that when your main breaker is off, the high voltage strings drop to module level voltage making pv system servicing easier and safer.
Xandex has recently introduced their new SunMizer DC Power Optimizer. The beauty of this DC-DC converter is that you only need to use one on any module in your array that is shaded. This $160 device can really be a cost effective problem solver with an array that is too close to the vent pipe or chimney on an otherwise unshaded roof. If you have 1-3 modules that could be shaded during the productive sun hours, this device might offer the most cost effective solution to lost power due to the shading.
The National Semiconductor SolarMagic DC-DC converter provides shade mitigation for arrays that utilize a string inverter, and they announced a 30% price reduction in October making this product more affordable for system installers.
Additional shade mitigation products are on the horizon including a clever DC-DC power optomizer from SolarEdge, and the Petra Solar SunWave Utility Scale micro-inverter. Other micro-inverters that are slated to hit the market soon include offerings from Greenray, Exeltech, SolarBridge, and Enecsys.