NOVELTY - The system has a first string of series-coupled photovoltaic modules (110) which is coupled a to a first DC-to-DC converter (120) that converts a DC output of the first string for output to a DC bus (130). A second string of series-coupled photovoltaic modules is coupled to a second DC-to-DC converter. The second DC-to-DC converter converts the DC output of the second string for output to the DC bus in parallel to the output of the first converter. A DC-to-AC inverter (140), coupled to the DC bus, converts the DC outputs of the first and second DC-to-DC converters to an AC output.    USE - Photovoltaic array system for producing electricity.    ADVANTAGE - Reduces energy loss due to shadowing, module mismatch, and uneven soiling, at a significantly lower cost by combining different types of modules in an array without the significant mismatch losses. Provides the substring DC-DC converters with very low loss since the size of the substring can be selected to provide a voltage output suitable for efficient conversion to the regulated bus voltage. Avoids risk of thermal failures when placed proximate to heat sources since the input to and output from the DC-DC converters are both DC such that the intracyclic energy storage is not required, and in turn, the DC-DC converters do not require large capacitors. Allows for use of central inverter which is simpler, more efficient, and less expensive since it does not require an input stage due to the distributed regulating function of the substring converters. Enables communication between the central inverter and the substring converters to be accomplished by powerline carrier transmission at a lower total cost while providing a degree of granularity to assist in tracking down the causes of substandard performance. Enables high efficiency conversion, while maintaining safety and providing design flexibility since the voltage of the string relative to the bus voltage can be selected.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (1) a photovoltaic array;    (2) a method for extracting maximum possible power from photovoltaic array; and    (3) a photovoltaic combiner.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a block diagram of the photovoltaic array having distributed DC-to-DC converters.    Photovoltaic modules (110)    First DC-to-DC converter (120)    DC bus (130)    DC-to-AC inverter (140)    Utility grid (150)