Enphase Energy Micro Inverters M215 and M250 | altE

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Enphase Micro Inverters

Why use a Micro Inverter vs. a String Inverter?

There are several benefits to having a system layout with many small inverters (micro inverters) instead of a single large inverter (string inverter).

First, it gives the system reliability by not having a single point of failure. If a solar panel or an inverter is having an issue, it only affects the output of one solar panel, as opposed to the entire system. In a single large inverter system, if one solar panel is being shaded, it negatively affects the output of other panels in the system. The micro inverter decentralizes this so that if one solar panel is being shaded, the output of that particular panel is the only one that will drop.

A multiple inverter system also gives the flexibility to start small, maybe with just a few inverters, and then grow piece by piece.

Why use Enphase Micro Inverters?

If you’re not familiar with the Enphase micro inverter and why it is special, here is a quick run down. In the past, grid-tied solar electric systems have had the same general layout. The system has a single DC to AC inverter, which converts the DC voltage being generated by the solar panels to AC voltage that is fed back into the power grid. The micro inverter changes this layout, by attaching a small inverter near each solar panel (generally they are attached to the panel racking system).

The micro inverter’s attachment cables connect to the solar panel and it converts the DC voltage being generated to AC voltage right there at the panel. The AC output can be combined with the outputs of other panels into a single circuit and fed back to the power grid.

See complete list of Enphase Micro Inverter Products below.

Frequently Asked Questions...

What is the Enphase Micro inverter System?

The Enphase Micro Inverter System consists of the micro inverters as well as the Envoy communications gateway and the Enlighten(TM) monitoring and analysis system.

What is an Enphase Envoy?

The Envoy is the communications gateway device which relays performance statistics from the micro-inverters to the Enphase Enlighten website. It just plugs into any standard AC outlet for easy plug and play operation. After the Ethernet cable is connected to a router, you'll see instantly how your system is performing!

What is the difference between an Enphase deployment and a traditional solar deployment?

The Enphase Energy system provides improvements in the following areas:

Productivity

• Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) per solar panel maximizes energy production
• Increases resilience to shade, dust and debris
• High conversion efficiency from solar to grid energy
• Increased system up-time since a single failure won’t take down the entire array
• Greater production in low-light conditions thanks to MPPT

• Quick and easy installation
• Add more panels & micro inverters at any time to increase production

• No single point of failure in an array of solar panels and micro inverters
• Design reduces component stress
• Very low internal temperature rise
• Designed to NEMA 6 rating, meaning it can handle severe weather conditions
  

• 24/7 monitoring on a per-module basis with the Envoy
• Eliminates concern about where to place a large inverter
• Dramatically reduces installation design
• Modules can be mismatched and added as your requirements grow

Also see...

We also recommend checking out Enphase Energy’s series of training videos.