enphase

[jason121]

www.enphasecomparison.com

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enphase

 

[yorkshiremike]

The enphase experiment, is a very much apples vs oranges comparison. For the 2 kW comparison system, they use an old technology (LF transformer) SB 1700 which is a bit undersized for 2kW, moreover with the Canadian Solar panels, the SB1700 needs to be run with 2 strings of 4, which doesn't help it's poor efficiency as it's running fairly low DC voltages. If you run a simulation in PVSOL comparing the same set up with a SB1700 vs SB2100TL, then the SB2100TL generates 12% more (single string of 8 panels), than the SB1700.

 

[Gavin A]

The enphase experiment, is a very much apples vs oranges comparison. For the 2 kW comparison system, they use an old technology (LF transformer) SB 1700 which is a bit undersized for 2kW, moreover with the Canadian Solar panels, the SB1700 needs to be run with 2 strings of 4, which doesn't help it's poor efficiency as it's running fairly low DC voltages. If you run a simulation in PVSOL comparing the same set up with a SB1700 vs SB2100TL, then the SB2100TL generates 12% more (single string of 8 panels), than the SB1700.

it'd run fine in 1 string of 8, but otherwise I agree.

If you were to set up a biased trial you'd be hard pushed to come up with a more biased comparison than an overloaded SB1700, which operates best in the mid power range, and despite the 1700 rating, actually has a 1550W nominal output, 1700W is just the temporary peak output.

What I'd be interested in would be a comparison between an optimally specified 4kWp system with a high efficiency TL inverter such as the StecaGrid 3600TL, run at optimal voltage, vs the same panels using enphase.

Let's see how they actually stack up against the best a string inverter can produce.

tbh the fact they chose to do the comparison using the SB1700 makes me pretty suspicious about why they felt the need to use those inverters for the comparison.

 

[jason121]

Installing steca 4kw tom
So will have data in one month
Steca v Enphase

 

[Gavin A]

Installing steca 4kw tom
So will have data in one month
Steca v Enphase

single string configuration?

A months data will be interesting, a years is really needed to properly see how they compare in all situations.

I'm not knocking the Enphase systems btw, they look really good, I just think that they need to be compared with the best string inverters on the market in an optimum configuration to get a fair comparison.

Although I suppose that does show one of the advantages, in terms of not having to worry about trying to get the optimum configuration.

fwiw, I'm considering trying them for a side by side comparison between various different panels, and possibly on some smaller installations where I suspect the price / performance equation really could stack up.

 

[SRE]

I'm having a bad day! Just upgraded to pvsol gridcon 5.5 we haven't installed either Solar Edge or Enecysy micro inverters/optimisers. I have a customer tomorrow interested in them (we've never had shading that bad that twin mppt can't sort out - makes up for all the oil properties we just can't do!!) but can't find them on the list of inverters - what am I doing wrong??

 

[infinity]

They are not on there! I believe they will be on the new version 6.0 though just coming out!

 

[SRE]

So how am I supposed to prove/disprove their efficacy?? I can't justify the ridiculous upgrade cost to 6.0. Grrrrr!

 

[moggy1968]

when you are looking at cost it's worth comparing a standard inverter with a 20 year warranty vs the enphase as they come with a 20 year warranty. That makes the cost a bit nearer.
I've been impressed with the enphase so far. Even on an unshaded roof it's suprising how much difference in real time output there is between the panels. On a single inverter of course output would be limited to the lowest performing of the installed panels.

 

[pwboston]

With it being limited to 3.4kw im not sure how it can beat the normal inverter IF its a standard, no shading, south facing system which can peak at 3.68kw, thats why we need these tests between people to see results etc.

 

[snoopdog]

I'm having a bad day! Just upgraded to pvsol gridcon 5.5 we haven't installed either Solar Edge or Enecysy micro inverters/optimisers. I have a customer tomorrow interested in them (we've never had shading that bad that twin mppt can't sort out - makes up for all the oil properties we just can't do!!) but can't find them on the list of inverters - what am I doing wrong??

Hi I would not rush to get 6.0 just for Enphase , I have it and there is no enhanced performance illustrated.

I believe its an issue Enphase have with PV Sol at present, and hope to get it resumed very shortly