In a single hour, the sun generates enough energy to power the lives of every human on earth for an entire year. Imagine if all that power was in your hands.
The Enphase Energy System brings solar, batteries, and software together in one complete package so now you can make, use, save, and sell your own power—all through a smart mobile app.
With an Enphase system, not only can you lower your utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint, but you can also keep your power flowing even when the weather takes an unexpected turn or the grid has a bad day.
This is the clean energy future we’ve been waiting for.
Our pioneering IQ Micro-inverter performs a seemingly impossible feat with brilliant simplicity.
It transforms photons, quantum particles of light, into safe AC power you can use to power your home. With an Enphase Energy System, every solar panel is equipped with its own micro-inverter, so if one panel slips into the shade or experiences a rare glitch, the other panels keep generating power.
Enphase IQ Micro-inverters are compatible with virtually all solar panel makes and models, so choose the panels you like best knowing our micro-inverters will work with them seamlessly.
Micro-inverters are small devices attached to each solar panel, allowing each panel to work independently. This ensures maximum energy output, even if one panel is shaded or dirty, unlike traditional systems where one panel's issue can affect the whole system.
In a lot of cases a string inverter or standard solar system is the right fit. But in many other cases it isn't.
Here are some use cases as to why you would choose enphase over a string inverter:
- Micro-inverters: Each solar panel operates independently, ensuring that shading, debris, or damage to one panel doesn't significantly impact the overall system's performance. This results in a higher total energy output.
- String Inverters: If one panel in a string is shaded or underperforming, it can reduce the performance of the entire string.
- Micro-inverters: Operate at a lower voltage (typically around 240V), which reduces the risk of electrical fires and makes the system safer for installation and maintenance.
- String Inverters: Operate at higher DC voltages (up to 600V or more), posing a greater risk.
- Micro-inverters: Easily scalable, allowing you to add more panels without significant reconfiguration or matching panel specifications closely.
- String Inverters: Expansion can be more complex and may require additional string inverters or optimisers.
- Micro-inverters: Provide panel-level monitoring, allowing you to track the performance of each panel individually. This makes it easier to identify and address issues.
- String Inverters: Generally offer system-level monitoring, which can make it harder to pinpoint specific panel issues.
- Micro-inverters: Suitable for complex roof designs with multiple orientations and tilts. Each panel's output is optimised individually, making them ideal for irregular installations.
- String Inverters: Require panels to be in similar orientations and angles for optimal performance, which can limit installation flexibility.
- Micro-inverters: If one micro-inverter fails, only the associated panel is affected, not the entire system. Enphase micro-inverters are known for their reliability and often come with long warranties (typically 25 years).
- String Inverters: A failure in the string inverter can shut down the entire system, potentially leading to greater energy loss and more complex repairs.
- Micro-inverters: Better suited for future upgrades, such as adding battery storage or expanding the system. They are also compatible with various smart home and energy management systems.
- String Inverters: May require additional equipment or replacements for significant upgrades or expansions.
Micro-inverters convert the DC electricity generated by each solar panel into AC electricity directly on the panel. This means each panel operates independently, optimising performance and sending usable electricity to your home or the grid.
With micro-inverters, shading on one panel only affects that panel, not the entire system. Each panel operates independently, so even if one is shaded, the others continue to produce maximum energy. This ensures optimal performance even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Take a look at Glen Morris, Smart Energy Lab founder and industry expert talk about Enphase with Duncan Macgregor
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