Save cost by improving inverter efficiency

I doubt very much that the 9-10% improvement is due to panel mismatch and DC losses. Most probably the gain comes from optimization over shadow effects or non uniform layout. With all things being equal, If anyone has a 10% loss due to panel mismatch and DC losses then they do not know what they are doing. Panel non-uniformity should be around 2 to 3 % for high quality panels (unlike cheap Chinese modules that have reliability issues as well). This is more than covered by the difference in inverter efficiencies. DC losses can also be minimized by using the correct size cables.

Even so does the 10% gain in power really pay for the extra cost and lower efficiency of the inverters and the panel by panel installation costs. Including the cable and connectors inverters costs 35% to 45% more than per watt than sting inverters Regarding BOS, what is the real savings -- from a cost perspective cable is cable whether its AC or DC, junction boxes cost about the same as combiner boxes and racks are racks.

Micro inverters have their niche and I like and I use them in some applications but unless the price drops to less than $0.30 per watt for large systems and less than $0.45 per watt for residential systems, they are not cost effective yet.

I view them as another tool in the design toolbox to apply appropriately to optimize each installation case by case -- But they are not the universal salvation and anyone who takes one side or the other exclusively reminds me of the Apple vs PC, Beta vs VHS, Ford vs Chevy conundrum.