Micro-Parallel Inverters" Better & Cheaper?

A micro-parallel inverter is designed to invert 4 panels in parallel and
. . . provide advanced data, communications and IT features,
. . . reducing the associated installation costs by 75%.
It can also be utilized for:
. . . off-grid,
. . . grid-tied, and
. . . grid-tied with emergency backup applications.
It has a wide enough input;
. . . voltage,
. . . current and
. . . frequency range,
to operate with:
. . . generator or
. . . battery based grids for application flexibility that surpasses its 2 predecessors.
It's cheaper to buy and simpler to install, cable and activate.

It has improved intelligence, ubiquitous data display with remote control, and
. . . continuously adjusting energy harvest schemes,
. . . controlling the MMPT for each individual panel.
This control automatically throttles energy conversion based on temperature,
. . . to maximize the energy production of each panel.
Fault alert processing, notifies maintenance when a specific part has failed, and
. . . isolates the location and identifies the specific failed part,
. . . for expedited ordering and replacement.

Wiring for residential or commercial 240-VAC single or 3-phase MPI systems,
. . . is similar to standard building construction.  
. . . PV system installation with the MPI is configured,
. . . as a modular, plug-n-play approach.

Each micro parallel inverter controls multiple 300-W solar panel modules,
. . . via individual channels.  
The parallel connectivity eliminates shading dropout of a string inverter approach  The individual inverter channel design -1 channel per panel (module),
. . . 4 channels per inverter; continuously optimizes the
. . . maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for each individual panel (module).
. . . This overcomes the shortfall of the string inverter architecture,
. . . where efficiency is lost using a single MPPT for each string.

In addition, the AC design of the micro parallel inverter, eliminates the need for:
. . . combiner boxes,
. . . DC optimizers and
. . . DC GFCIs required by string inverters.

08-18-2014 Source:  Micro-Parallel Inverters" Better & Cheaper?