TIGO photovoltaic optimizers in practice. Lab in the garden :-)

The video shows how optimization can work at the level of individual PV panels when they are connected in series. The values in the green squares show the instantaneous performance that is obtained in addition by using the Tigo optimizer. In this specific test setup, 90% more energy was obtained on a sunny day than was obtained by simply connecting the PV panels in series.
This is due to the fact that the performance of the series combination is determined by the weakest link in the chain (the panel with the worst illumination at a given time - just the shade from tree branches without leaves). The above circuit is a rather extreme case, but such a case is best verified by a principle.
At the end of the video there was a transfer of the display to the current supplied by the individual panels. This current is different for each panel (the current behind the optimizer is of course the same, as it is a series connection) . If the panels were connected in series without optimizers, the current would be the same and would have the value of the worst panel. But the optimizer is a DC to DC converter and so can change the voltage to current ratio to get the maximum output from all the panels.
Sun4ride Ltd.