Optimizers for SMA Sunny Boy

[MaxThisPower]

I'm looking for an optimizer with rapid shutdown, individual panel monitoring, and shade optimizing what works with a SMA Sunny Boy. It looks like the TS4-R-O is discontinued and you'll want to use them only if with you have an existing install with TS4-R-O.

Looking at SMA's website ( https://www.sma-america.com/shadefix.html ) they have a software based feature built into their inverters and they mention you don't need anything additional hardware.

I found SMA-JMS which is only a shutdown. I couldn't find any documentation that it does anything else.

Can I get rapid shutdown, individual panel monitoring, and shade optimizing with SMA? If I had to I don't need individual panel monitoring but would come in handy for troubleshooting. Or would it be a lot easier to go with SolarEdge even though they are more expensive?

[littleharbor]

Look up Tigo optimizers. Some of them will do rapid shutdown according to what I've read.

[MaxThisPower]

Those are the same as the TS4-R-O.

[Fr8tdrvr]

Tigo should work with any inverter setup. I am using 3 sunny boy 4000us with 12 panels on each. Two of my panels have minor shading, so, on 10 panels I have the RSD tigo's and on the each of the 2 shaded panels will have a TS4-R-O.(which will take care of the RSD as well as the optimization).

[oregon_phil]

SMA's overview on optimizers can be found by searching "OVERVIEW OF COMPATIBLE TIGO TS4-R MODULES FOR SMA US-MODEL INVERTERS". SMA's compatibility of TIGO devices can be found by searching "Technical Information: TS4 / JMS-F Overview of Approved SMA inverters". It looks like the newer TIGO TS4-A-O optimizer will work with the -41 inverters. But, reading between the lines, SMA won't provide service line support for non SMA branded optimizers.

Looking at the latest SMA -41 inverter product sheets, SMA is really pushing string level optimization "Shade Fix" and only offers one panel level rapid shutdown solution JMS-F using SunSpec communication. There is one 2019 paper from the University of Southern Denmark that supports SMA's solution set.

This is a big change from just a year ago when SMA branded quite a few TIGO modules.

[Fr8tdrvr]

True, if using the inverter for rapid shutdown. However, you can control the shut down through the RSS transmitter outdoor kit.

[PVAndy]

[QUOTE

This is a big change from just a year ago when SMA branded quite a few TIGO modules.[/QUOTE]

Yes do you remember when SMA said you could install any version and go back later and change "covers" to make it into any other model

Andy

[oregon_phil]

My take away from SMA's compatibility paper: You can call SMA's service line to troubleshoot SMA -41 inverters using JMS-F rapid shutdown units. Call Tigo service for Tigo issues. Figuring out the who, what, when, where and why's of system problems takes skill.

An installer with good troubleshooting skills will provide seamless integration between SMA and TIGO and probably wouldn't use SMA's service line anyway. Tigo does have an extensive inverter compatibility list for their devices and I'm sure you can still change covers to make it into any other model. I just don't being in the middle between two companies pointing fingers at each other when problems come up. That's why you need a good installer or need to have good troubleshooting skills on your own.