POWER OPTIMIZER
Tigo Energy: Junction Box ES Series
A SmartModule System
Tigo’s Junction Box ES Series can be integrated into solar panels to create “SmartModules” for residential, commercial and utility-scale projects. This system optimizes the power output of each module, delivers module-level data for operational management and performance monitoring and allows deactivating the high-voltage DC bus for safe installation, maintenance or fire fighting. The junction boxes maintain conversion efficiencies at statistically 99.6%.
Tigo Energy
www.tigoenergy.com
Well, I am disappointed that no mention on which of these modules contain electrolytic capacitors. Enphase claims that electrolytics can last for over 20 years, but they depend on the capacitor manufacturer to encase the electrolyte (a liquid) in a capacitor case that will be subject to temperatures exceeding 140 F (60 C). Now do you believe that a liquid can exist in a metal “can” (with seams) at temperatures reaching 140 F for over 20 years? Yes, there is skepticism in your mind, just like in mine. And yes, the manufacturers that use electrolytics do offer a warranty, but that is like offering a warranty on house paint. Who really cares about the inverter (or the paint) itself? It is the pain of getting up on the roof, tearing out enough panels to get to the inverter that failed (yes, Murphy’s Law states that the one that failed is ALWAYS in the center of the array), getting the warranty paperwork done (yeah, they will require a solar company to come out, charge a diagnostic fee, & certify that the inverter failed), getting the new microinverter (if you have not already just said “frick it”, and bought a new, “probably not-compatible-with-the-old-ones” one), then re-installing it and re-installing all the panels you removed to access it, hoping not to have broken any (UV exposed) wires that are now probably obsolete and cannot be replaced. I am not yet ready to take the electrolytic capacitor plunge. I am disappointed that nothing was said here about this. Is this advertising or analysis? Come on, S.P. World, get with the program!
Andrew Ancel Gray
Andrew, I agree. After capacitor technology employed is the first thing we look at when evaluating module level electronics. (The next would be the daisy chain or trunk wire connector, because a connection that wiggles free is nearly as painful as a failed device)