Enphase vs SolarEdge?

Looking at quotes for Enphase vs SolarEdge? based systems. These both avoid the problem of individual panels in shade dragging down the output of a whole "string" of panels, but in different ways. They also both give you per-panel performance data stats.

Enphase

Enphase uses microinverters (DC -> AC converters on the panel doing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)), which makes each panel more stand-alone; if one dies, the others keep working. The enphase batterys are also AC coupled with their own inverters. They each have their own independent Wifi API/reporting? Docs suggest they communicate with each other using PowerLine? over the AC.

Enphase uses it's own custom http/json control/monitoring interface, and the web-comments suggest they are not particularly user-friendly about it, rolling out breaking changes with new firmware and disabling features in some countries. There is a HomeAssistant? interface that has been around longer than the SolarEdge? addon, but has less users.

Because microinverters are more complicated and sit under the panel, they cost more and may be more prone to heat-failure. In Australia the Warranty is 15y, compared to 25y in EU, probably due to Australia being hotter.

SolarEdge?

SolarEdge? uses DC Optimizers (DC -> DC converters on the panel doing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)) feeding a central inverter. SolarEdge?'s battery is also DC coupled to the inverter. Each DC Optimizer transmits its module's performance data over the DC power line to the inverter.

SolarEdge? uses industry standard modbus control/monitoring interface and has 2 (or 3) HomeAssistant? solutions;

Examples of some pretty advanced HomeAssistant?+solaredge setups;

Because DC optimizers are simpler they a cheaper and probably less-prone to heat failure. The DC optimizer warranty is 25y. A single large inverter can be more efficient, but is also more likely to fail, and when it does your whole solar system is offline. The inverter warranty is only 12y. However, it's much simpler to replace the wall mounted inverter than microinverters on the roof under the pannels.

Conclusion

DC Optimizers are simpler, cheaper, slightly more efficient, perform slightly better for low-light, and are more reliable than microinverters. However, the inverter is a single point of failure and a scaling bottleneck. It is easier to add more pannels with microinverters later, but you cannot add more panels with DC Optimizers (or batteries?) if you've hit the limit of your inverter. You'd have to upscale your inverter, or maybe add another inverter?

It looks to me like SolarEdge? will be easier to monitor/control and supports things like control of inverter power output so you can reduce/turnoff feed-in when prices go negative. I don't think enphase can do that.

It looks like SolarEdge? have a generally wider suite of options/addons including an ev charger.

Solar




subject:
  ( 2 subscribers )