When it comes to solar energy, not all systems are created equal. Enphase microinverters have earned a reputation as the “Rolls Royce” of solar technology, offering reliability, safety, and performance that set them apart from traditional string inverter systems.
But are they worth the investment?
At Penrith Solar Centre, we’ve installed more Enphase microinverters than anyone else in the Southern Hemisphere, a fact we’re immensely proud of. Our expertise comes from years of experience and a deep understanding of what makes these systems superior.
In this article, you’ll learn the following:
- What Does an Enphase Microinverter Do?
- Enphase Microinverters Are the Safest and Most Reliable Solar Panel Solar Technology
- Are Microinverters Expensive?
- What Is the Enphase Enlighten App?
By the end of this article, you’ll know whether Enphase microinverters will be worth the investment for your home.
What Does an Enphase Microinverter Do?
Microinverters are small devices mounted underneath each solar panel. The purpose of the microinverter is to convert direct current (DC) electricity generated by the panel into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what your home uses.
Unlike string inverters, which connect multiple panels in series to one inverter on the side of the house, each panel with a microinverter operates independently.
Comparison with String Inverters:
String Inverters: One inverter converts DC to AC for a series of panels. Efficiency drops if one panel is shaded or underperforming. Shading on one panel affects the entire string. They work like Christmas lights: if one goes out, the entire string is affected.
Microinverters: Each panel has its own microinverter, maintaining efficiency even if some panels are shaded or underperforming. Shading or malfunction of one panel doesn’t affect the performance of the others.
Because microinverters convert power independently, they have a decentralised power production. The misbehaving panel is simply bypassed.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about how microinverters compare to string inverters, you might want to check out the following article titled, Microinverters vs. String Inverters: A Transparent Comparison.
Enphase Microinverters Are the Safest and Most Reliable Solar Technology
Reliability:
As we mentioned in the introduction, Penrith Solar Centre has installed the most microinverters in the Southern Hemisphere. We’re the leading experts in microinverter installation by a long shot – right here in Penrith.
We know what influences the price of microinverters.
Enphase microinverters are extremely durable. They have no moving parts, and everything within is encased in NORYL resin. Moving parts equals heat, and heat equals wear.
Why is that important? Well, Enphase microinverters come with a 25 year warranty. This is the longest inverter warranty in the solar industry. Enphase stands behind its product, a product that is manufactured to last.
Safety:
Enphase microinverters are the safest solar system in the world. Period.
The reason they are the safest is because they’re the only system in the world that can be shut down fully at the switchboard. Other systems can’t do this because of their inherent design.
Unlike traditional systems, Enphase microinverters offer unparalleled safety. They are the only inverters in the world that completely shut down to 0 volts when powered off at the switchboard.
Microinverters are mounted beneath each solar panel. Because the inverter is at the panel, it can shut off the flow of electricity at the source.
This is a game-changer compared to a solar system like SolarEdge with DC optimisers, which still carry residual voltage even when turned off. This is because the inverter is on the side of the house, and there’s no componentry that fully shuts off the electricity coming down from the roof.
The best a SolarEdge system can do is reduce the flow of electricity to 1 volt per panel when shut off. This means that 50 to 60 volts of DC electricity could still be running down your walls if you have 50 to 60 panels up on the roof.
Other string systems can’t even do that.
With Enphase, you can rest assured that your home’s electrical setup is as safe as possible.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the rapid shutdown feature in a solar system, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Important is Rapid Shutdown in a High Voltage DC Solar System?
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Are Microinverters Expensive?
An Enphase solar system has many components, but the main one is the microinverter. These retail for around $150 each.
Microinverters
- Costs more upfront for smaller systems.
- Costs less for medium to large systems.
String inverters
- Costs less upfront for a smaller system.
- Costs more long term. They often need to be replaced up to two or three times during the lifetime of your solar panels.
Long-term Cost Benefits:
Higher Energy Yield: Microinverters perform better with higher efficiency over time.
Reduced Maintenance: Lower risk of total system failure (because each microinverter works independently) and easier troubleshooting (thanks to the Enphase Enlighten App that gives you energy information in real-time, so you know when there’s a mishap).
Microinverter Efficiency:
Quicker Installation Time: Enphase systems take less time to install compared to DC systems. This results in lower labour costs.
Optimized for Efficiency: At Penrith Solar Centre, our team can install up to 36 panels or 16 – 17 kW of solar in just one day.
Affordable for Larger Systems: Once your system reaches 16 – 17 kW, you can purchase Enphase microinverter systems for around $1 per watt. This offers excellent value for a premium product with a 25-year warranty.
Key Cost Factors to Consider (and Ask Your Installer Questions About):
- Home warranty insurance
- The installer’s reputation and experience
- Bulk pricing on Enphase microinverters
- Installation efficiency
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about how microinverters compare to string inverters from a cost point of view, you might want to check out the following article titled, Cost of Microinverters vs. Cost of String Systems.
What Is the Enphase Enlighten App?
The real hero of determining if a solar system is worthwhile is its energy use monitoring app. Enphase’s app is a juggernaut.
The Enphase Enlighten App is like having a personal energy assistant right in your pocket. It’s designed to make managing your solar power system simple and stress-free while giving you total control over how your energy is produced and consumed.
Let’s break it down.
Real-Time Energy Updates
With the Enlighten App, you can keep tabs on your solar energy production and usage in real time.
Want to know how much energy your panels are cranking out right now? You’ve got it. Curious if your appliances are eating up too much power? The app shows you.
This real-time insight lets you make smarter decisions about your energy use and maybe even save a little extra cash.
Track Each Solar Panel’s Performance
The Enlighten App doesn’t just give you a big-picture view. It lets you zoom in on each individual panel to see how it’s performing.
If one panel isn’t pulling its weight, you’ll know. This means you can pinpoint issues like shading or dirt buildup before they become bigger problems.
Easy to Use, Even for Beginners
The app’s interface is incredibly user-friendly. It’s loaded with colourful charts and graphs that make complex energy data easy to understand.
Plus, you can customize your dashboard to focus on the stats that matter most to you. Whether you’re a tech whiz or a solar newbie, the Enlighten App makes managing solar energy easy.
Catch Problems Before They Happen
The app doesn’t just show you how things are running; it also gives you a heads-up when something’s wrong. If an issue pops up, you’ll get real-time alerts so you can fix it before it becomes a bigger deal.
This kind of proactive maintenance helps keep your system running smoothly for years to come.
Make Informed Choices About Your Energy
By tracking your energy usage, the Enlighten App helps you figure out how to make the most out of your solar power. You can tweak your energy habits to rely more on solar energy, cut down on grid use, and lower your energy bills.
In short, the Enphase Enlighten App is like a personal coach for your solar system. It’s easy to use, packed with helpful features, and designed to help you get the most out of your solar investment.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about energy use monitoring, you might want to check out the following article titled, 4 Ways to Save Money with Solar Consumption Monitoring.
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Wrapping Things Up: Is Enphase Right for You?
Perfect for Homeowners Who Value Quality: If you’re the type of person who wants to get it right the first time, Enphase is for you. These systems are built to last, with a 25 year warranty and safety features that are second to none. It’s all about making a one-time investment in a product you can count on for decades.
Great for Energy Independence: Want to cut your ties to the grid? Enphase microinverters are the way to go. They’re ideal for homeowners who want energy security and to save on power bills long-term. When paired with a battery system, Enphase lets you take full control of your energy use and savings.
At Penrith Solar Centre, we know microinverters. As we mentioned, we’ve installed more of them than anyone in the Southern Hemisphere. That’s a lot of experience. Whether you feel microinverters are worth it or not is entirely up to you. And when you’re ready to install them, we’ll be here.
If you’re interested in learning more about how a microinverter system performs compared to Powerwall 3, you might want to check out the following article titled, Enphase Microinverters vs. Tesla Powerwall 3: Which Solar Panel System is Right for You?
