Hey everyone! I was advised by SignatureSolar to get Tigo TS4-A-O optimizers to improve the performance of my solar panels since they can get partially shaded by trees and stuff. I bought 32 of these optimizers but recently stumbled upon a YouTube video that made me question their effectiveness. I'm wondering if I should return them and just skip using any optimizers at all. What has been your experience with the TS4-A-O? Do they actually make a difference?
4 Answers
I installed my Tigo optimizers recently and did some research before buying them. You might take a slight performance hit by using these, but you can gain some back if your panels are shaded. Plus, they offer cool features like panel monitoring and rapid shutdown, which is why I opted for them. If I were to do another ground installation, though, I might skip them!
The effectiveness of Tigos really hinges on your shading situation. If your roof is mostly clear, you might be fine with just the standard TS4-A-F. But if you face significant shading, the optimizers do help. I've seen cases where a panel fully exposed to sunlight is operating at full capacity while its shaded neighbor struggles at just 20%. So in such cases, the difference is noticeable. But if the optimizers are already installed, it might not be worth the hassle to remove them.
From my understanding, a big reason for using these is to comply with rapid shutdown (RSD) regulations. However, I’ve noticed that they don’t perform as well for shorter strings; they're better suited for full-length strings that can handle 250 volts and above.
Yes, they definitely work! I have three of my panels situated under a telephone pole that casts shade at different times throughout the day, and the Tigos help manage that shading better than having no optimizers at all.