Improved conventional solar PV systems using DC-DC power optimizers with string or central inverters

Recently, another alternative has been developed to overcome the deficiencies of conventional central and string inverters in optimizing the harvest of energy from PV arrays. This involves installing DC-DC converters behind each solar module, which optimizes the performance of the PV array in a similar manner to micro inverters. However, the DC power from these DC-DC converters still has to be fed to a string or central inverter for conversion into AC power for connection to the electricity grid. This is not the ideal solution. It adds components, cost and reliability issues to the solar system.