QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE POWER OPTIMIZER M500/14
You can find an explanation of how it works on our product page: Product – BRC Solar GmbH (brc-solar.de)
Yes, the Power Optimizer M500/14 can be used with shading, different alignments and different module inclinations.
No, the BRC Power Optimizer can be used flexibly and can be connected to single or multiple shaded modules as required. Modules that are not shaded do not need to be equipped with the optimisers. This is the great advantage of the flexibility of our product.
However, for different alignments or different module inclinations, we recommend full equipment.
If neither side has significantly more modules than the other, both sides are problematic half the time and would slow down the other. That is why you always need optimizers.
– Activates only when needed, higher efficiency less stress on components
– To be installed without initialisation (Plug & Play)
– Usable at 85°C ambient temperature without loss of performance
– Ultra Fast MPPT (20 times faster switching)
– European product, German company, close support
The minimum input voltage is 16 volts (see data sheet).
The maximum efficiency is 99.5% (see data sheet).
How much the voltage is reduced depends on the difference between the current of the affected module and the others. If he has to increase the current tenfold, the voltage is reduced tenfold. There is no table for this.
The measurement of protective conductor resistance and no-load voltage is possible without any issues. During insulation measurement, attention must be paid to the poles to avoid a short circuit. Conducting a pure short-circuit current measurement is not permitted.
Our optimizer is a DC step-down converter. This means we can only reduce the voltage to increase the current. A reduction of the current is not possible.
There is no minimum limit. The optimizer can lift even the smallest currents and thus greatly reduce the voltage in the same proportion.
Questions about mounting the Power Optimizer M500/14
The optimizer is equipped with original Stäubli MC4 connectors and has plug & play functionality. It is connected in parallel to the module. You can find more information about this in the assembly instructions.
Yes, it is possible.
No communication with inverter to be set up necessary. Our Power Optimizer M500/14 works with a plug & play function.
Yes, it is possible, even without reducing the EEG remuneration.
Yes, it is possible.
With two parallel strings, both on the same MPPT, the behaviour of the optimisers is not clearly predictable.
– Either the optimizer is activated in the one string 
– Or the optimizer is not activated at all in order to keep the voltage of both strings equal.
Clear recommendation: Do not use with two parallel strings with only one MPPT.
There is no minimum number of optimizers in the strand.
In principle, it depends on the open-circuit voltage of the modules. This is added when two modules are connected in series. In general, however, the recommendation is to connect the Power Optimizer to only one module.
The open-circuit voltage indicates that an optimizer or a module has failed. Further detection would only be possible using a thermal imaging camera (hot spots in shaded modules).
We are not aware of any problems with use near railway tracks.
We give a guarantee of 25 years.
Questions about compatibility with inverters and modules
The BRC Power Optimizer is compatible with all common inverters. You can find a current list here.
Yes, whether hybrid inverter or normal string inverter has no influence on the functionality of our optimizer! The only important thing is that it operates MPP tracking.
No, the Power Optimizer M500/14 can not be used with microinverters.
Basically no change of settings necessary, optimisers always work. Depending on the type of inverter, efficiency can be improved if e.g. the shadow management is switched off
– Kostal on
– Fronius off (with full optimisation)
Modules can be checked on the BRC Checker App (available in the Playstore, App Store and as a web version). The power, the rated current and the open-circuit voltage are the most important factors. These data and the temperature coefficient must be entered. There you get direct feedback on whether the optimiser is suitable for the module. The data can be found in the data sheet of the corresponding module.
Questions about upcoming features
Further optimizers with adjustment of the performance classes are planned. Subscribe to the newsletter to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Monitoring via app of the individual optimizers is planned and will appear in the course of 2024.
The current Power Optimizer M500/14 does not have this function at the moment. However, the function is conceivable for the future.