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How many microinverters can you put on a single-phase installation? And a three-phase installation?
In single-phase, 10 microinverters can be connected. In a three-phase installation, up to 30 microinverters can be connected on a single 20A three phase circuit breaker. Larger systems can be constructed with multiple AC branch circuits.
How is surplus solar production controlled?
Enphase microinverters offer export control by reducing power production at each microinverter to maintain export to a defined power level—which can be zero for a zero-export site. The microinverters do not offer control of surplus power beyond export to the electricity network.
If a replacement is needed, who will provide the service?
If an issue is detected via the Enlighten monitoring platform, please contact Enphase Customer Support. If the issue is related to the microinverter, Enphase will provide any service required under their warranty coverage. If Enphase determines the issue is related to the panel, the service will be transferred and supported by Maxeon Solar Technologies under the appropriate SunPower panel line warranty.
How is the system managed in three-phase? How are imbalances managed?
The Enphase three-phase Q Cable allows balanced and automated power management of each phase. Alternatively, when using three single-phase cables, care must be taken to balance the phases by installing a similar number of panels on each phase.
The Envoy-S communications gateway can also provide phase imbalance monitoring to ensure authorised limits are not exceeded. The Envoy is able to manage PV power production at the microinverter level to maintain balance within set limits.
How is using multiple microinverters more reliable than using one string inverter?
With a string inverter there is a single point of failure. If the string inverter fails, the entire array is offline. However, with a microinverter each individual PV module has its own dedicated inverter. If the microinverter (or the associated PV module) should fail. only that PV module is offline while the remainder of the system continues to operate. Enphase microinverters have a publicly stated defect rate of 0.05%, which equates to 1 in 2000. Given that the Enphase defect rate is better than most string inverters, this results in a PV installation with higher reliability and a higher overall system uptime over the life of the array.
Additionally, Enphase microinverters have an estimated useful life of more than 25 years, compared with string inverters that typically last around 10 years.
If one panel fails, does the rest of the system continue to produce energy?
If the microinverter (or the associated PV module) should fail, only that PV module is offline. The remainder of the system continues to operate as normal – a key benefit of AC modules.