Enecsys Micro Inverters

[SRE]

My Recent PV Install. - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums Thought this was interesting - looks like a lot of shading to me, not a job I'd have looked at but happy to stand corrected if microinverters can get round this. Great pictures of the monitoring equipment, but as Edexlab says potential for loads of unanswerable questions. We already have problems with utilities not getting the FiT confirmation through quickly enough (or not at all in one case since feb) and although it's not our fault we feel obliged to help out. The micro inverters could potentially cause even more problems.

I'm tempted regularly, but the feedback coming through suggests it's a bit too soon for us yet.

 

[Surboy]

Personally I am not 100% convinced about microinverters as there are too many parts that could go wrong and according to some PV websites they can create hotspots in the panels. My supplier recommended Tigo Energy optimisers, planning to use them in my next install where shading is an issue. Will report my experience once I try them.

 

[jetski]

My Recent PV Install. - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums Thought this was interesting - looks like a lot of shading to me, not a job I'd have looked at but happy to stand corrected if microinverters can get round this. Great pictures of the monitoring equipment, but as Edexlab says potential for loads of unanswerable questions. We already have problems with utilities not getting the FiT confirmation through quickly enough (or not at all in one case since feb) and although it's not our fault we feel obliged to help out. The micro inverters could potentially cause even more problems.

I'm tempted regularly, but the feedback coming through suggests it's a bit too soon for us yet.

Hi there, that is my system in the link, the shading is not as bad as it may appear it look's worse as it's showing the clouds at the time the picture was taken the tree only causes the shading more or less on the three south left panels late afternoon when the sun comes round. I must admit I've gained quite a lot of information from here and the MSE forum and realise that micro inverters are not everyone's cup of tea so I suppose only time will tell.

 

[Von Vardo]

Has anyone else heard of a problem with a recent batch of micro inverters? I have some on order but the wholesaler has been "advised of a potential issue with the recent production batch."

 

[Noddy67]

Back in early june I had a batch that included some with out with incomplet software; they swapped them all out so i'd guess that's that, but what have you heard? Which wholesaler?

 

[edexlab]

"Setting up the monitoring is time consuming although the monitoring is pretty good but raises some questions when you are looking at several modules and there's one which is doing a lot less than the others on an identical aspect, then you might see another module doing the same and the original improving ,I think this could be something to do with the temp coeff as it was on one of the hotter days we've had lately . I can see customers ringing up everytime they see a panel doing this and the installer not having a logical explanation, another question raised with enecsys"

Got an email of Enecsys regarding this issue, they said the monitoring is not perfect and will sometimes omit a panel and display the output as low or even zero but should update at some point and we should tell the customer to rely on the generation meter rather than the monitoring system and there is a disclaimer stating in effect that its not always accurate and up to date
try explaining this to a customer after they've spent thousands !
the two customers we've installed for are both into IT in a big way for one it was his occupation and so they may be understanding
at least its definately not a dodgy panel which is a concern as some customers may insist on a replacement which is'nt necessary

Considering this is one of their main selling points I was a bit disappointed but at least they were totally honest with the response,

 

[robinsawyer]

Hi! All,

I am new to this forum.

I have read all the posts on the Enecsys systems and find them interesting.

I have fitted three systems so far and found them to be easier to fit as each one progressed. We did have one problem with the first set up as one of the fitters lent on an inverter and the casting snapped at the point it joins to the rail. (very weak area in the casting) we sent it back to the wholesaler and they did eventually give us a credit. We had to purchase a replacement while we waited and also had to go back to site, so now we take a spare on the van.

The issue with the no. of inverters in series is down to the conductor size on the main AC fly lead and the current.

We had an issue with the RCD tripping on a 3.99kWp and from reading the posts it looks like this could be caused by the 3 series of panels being brought into one AC isolator and then to one RCD. ( I will look into this)

With regard to the Enecsys Customer service or lack of. I to have found this to be very frustrating trying to get strait answers to what should be simple questions.

All in all though I feel that this sysem is far superior to the string inverter system and intend to change the string system that we installed to an Enecsys system.

 

[SolarCity]

All in all though I feel that this sysem is far superior to the string inverter system and intend to change the string system that we installed to an Enecsys system.

That's a rather general statement. What is it that makes you think it's far superior? They seem like a right pain in the arse as far as I can see.

 

[robinsawyer]

Hi! BiggsSolar,
In my opinion they are superior in as much as they fit under the panels and therefore do not use up valuable loft space or living space, they last the term of the panels and the FIT so no on going costs, low voltage DC on and around the roof, 5 -20% increase in harvest, in the event of a panel failure the only loss is one panel not the whole string, very good monitoring facility across the web, easy installation, no shading concerns, the string is not pulled down to the lowest performing panel.

The actual setting up of the monitoring is easy after the first couple of installs.

I look forward to your comments!

 

[SolarCity]

they fit under the panels and therefore do not use up valuable loft space or living space

I'm not sure this is such a bonus. Is it really that much of a problem in a loft or garage?

they last the term of the panels and the FIT so no on going costs

I'm skeptical of this. I understand that they are guaranteed for 20 years but surely this is the company's attempt at negating the stand out problem that in the event of an inverter malfunction, a scaffold erection is required and a days work for an installer.

5 -20% increase in harvest

I am very skeptical of this indeed. 5-20% increase on what? The efficiency of the inverters are lower than string inverters, particularly the transformerless type, so I am baffled where this figure comes from.

in the event of a panel failure the only loss is one panel not the whole string

In the hugely unlikely event of a panel failure, surely the panel will be replaced anyway.

very good monitoring facility across the web

Very good... as long as it's working.

easy installation

Easier than a standard set up? Again, I'm not convinced.

The idea behind these inverters is a good one and perhaps this is where system will end up. However, it is fairly clear to me that the industry isn't quite there yet. I've heard reports of flimsy casing, faulty monitoring and faulty inverters. I've also read about extremely poor customer support. The 20 year guarantee is nice - if the company is around to honour it. If they are not, and these inverters start packing up after 10 years, where will that leave the customer?

The problems with G83 is another huge concern. The very limited compatability of the micro inverters is also a major negative.

 

[SolarJoe]

Back in early june I had a batch that included some with out with incomplet software; they swapped them all out so i'd guess that's that, but what have you heard? Which wholesaler?

I have a 3.9KW system using Caymax 195W panels. I originally had the SMI200's x20 which worked fine on a 20A 30Ma RCBO. I had my inverters mounted inside on the rafters (no point having a 20 year warantee if you have to get scaffolding and disassemble the entire array to replace the part). After about a year, I noticed that one panel was a bit low. I spoke to Enecsys and they sent me 20 SMI240's. As they were mounted on the inside ( and the loft is boarded) the job was as easy as changing a lightbulb, but I then started having problems with the RCBO tripping - only on overcast days first thing in the morning as the panels were coming up . The recommendation from Enecsys was to replace the RCBO with a 100Ma one. As the wire was internal to a stud wall, this was going to be a problem. I couldn't understand why the RCBO would only trip once in the morning if it was an earth problem. I also read that flourecent bulbs also cause nuisance tripping, so the RCBO has now been replaced with a Type C 20A 30MA and the problem seems to have gone....

 

[robinsawyer]

Hi! Solar Joe,

Do you have all 21 inverters on one RCBO?

 

[SolarJoe]

Hi! Solar Joe,

Do you have all 21 inverters on one RCBO?

Yes,
I have 20 x smi 240 inverters on a single spur on 1 rcbo. Today way overcast and based on past experience the type b would have tripped but the type c was fine.

 

[robinsawyer]

The problem you have is that you can only put a maximum of sixteen inverters on one RCBO.

You should have the system set out as two arrays, one of eleven inverters and one of ten inverters with an RCBO on each, this will stop the tripping issues.

 

[SolarJoe]

The system was installed a year ago with 20 smi 200s. That worked fine for a year with no problems. (i did have some early serial numbers - <30. I guess things moved on since then. Enecsys gave me the 240's but I would prefer not to have to rewire the system. If the type c doesn't fix the problem, I won't have a choice.