Even a system designed to avoid shade can still be affected by dust and debris, temperature and degradation over time. These environmental issues can create as much as a 15 per cent mismatch between the best and worst performing panels in a typical string.

To help combat these unpredictable system short falls, Tigo Energy has introduced the Tigo Energy®Maximiser™ System which maximises the output of each panel, harvesting power that is otherwise wasted. Rather than employing micro-inverter or DC/DC voltage conversion, Tigo Energy uses a unique method of ‘impedance matching’ to achieve high efficiencies and accuracy in power control.

The Tigo Energy solution places very simple electronics at the panel (the Tigo Energy Module Maximiser) along with a highly-intelligent Tigo Energy® Maximiser Management UnitTM (MMU) to distribute the MPPT function. The Tigo Energy Module Maximiser contains analogue sensing, communications and impedance matching power circuitry. The MMU communicates with each Module Maximiser (either via power-line or wireless), computes the maximum operating point of each module, and provides an internet gateway to transmit performance data to the Tigo Energy analysis engine.

The solution uses a combination of real-time module and string-level information to accurately compute the optimal operating state of each module. It readjusts the module by a patented process of impedance matching. The Tigo Energy solution is able to quickly and dynamically find the maximum operating state for each panel and maintain system stability during cloud cover or shading.

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Depending on the choice of Tigo Energy Module Maximiser, the system can be configured in either a series or parallel configuration, giving you more flexibility in system design and the ability to utilise roof space to its maximum capacity.