Tigo maximizer vs Enphase

[gordon]

I am trying to understand these two micro-inverter systems.

Tigo seems to not invert dc to ac, but monitor/select which panel in string has best production and use that level to send to inverter.

Enphase seems to convert each panel dc to ac.

Is this correct understanding of systems?

Is one better than other?

[Naptown]

The tigo converts the module voltage to 300VDC or there abouts. The modules then are all wired in parallell to the central inverter. You will get module level monitoring on a system like this. The theory is to reduce module mismatch and reduce shading impact.
I haven't used them yet but may consider it in the future.

[vtkahns]

Interesting Read

I read some info on their web site.. They appear to compare themselves to enphase and I think solaredge, the stuff I am going to be installing march/april.

The Tigo product still requires the central inverter on top of these optimizers as I understand it. I would think the initial installation cost is higher than either alternative process. Question is whether it pays off over time compared to the others.

Are there places out there where people have arrays of nearly identical materials but only vary the inverter technology ? I would think this would be an invaluable real world resource and put to bed which squeaks out more power (perhaps nothing on reliability unless there are early fails).

If i had unlimited funds, I would love to try this.. Compare an enphase system, to a single inverter/mppt to the tigo to the solaredge... What a feast for data collection this would be.

Is there any comparison installations out there that anyone knows of ?

hungry for facts...

[Naptown]

Try Photon Magazine they have been comparing modules side by side for a while now and recently expanded their test base. I don't know if they have been comparing inverter technology though.
I haven't really looked into costs of the Tigo Vs Enphase but I would imagine them to be similar in cost. You still end up with an inverter that will most likely die after 10 years. and a shorter warranty on it. Enphase is really too young to evaluate how long they will last at this point.
Roll the dice!

[vtkahns]

Tigo

It looked on their web site to show a 20 year warranty on their product.. and still then tied to a central inverter (with 10 yr warranty).. So it has to cost more than a traditional installation. As to enphase.. most of the quotes i had were pretty similar to a traditional installation. One place said it would be $0.10 more / installed watt for enphase.

The solaredge uses the additional powerboxes at each panel (25 year warranty.. i know.. will they be around ? ) and a cheaper , simpler (12 yr) inverter of their making as well. The combined price of the boxes and inverter are similar to other solutions.

I will check out photon. You would think with as many choices are there are in inverters, someone would want to compare them over the course of some months / years to see how they behave in various conditions .. I would anyway..

Thanks for the tip..

[dj905]

Anyone with Tigo experience?

I am looking at Tigo + Fronius for my rooftop install which has a combination of South+East facing roof and some shading issues. It looks like a good solution based on the Photon testing. Does anyone on the forum have experience with Tigo?

Thanks

dj

[SolarSurfer]

Tigo Vs. Enphase Debate

I am a solar consultant and I have sold both Tigo and Enphase products. Enphase is easier to install, hands down. The monitoring is great, they are rated at a 190 output, but actually will produce up to 200...this is an issue if your panels are 230's, 240's etc because there will be some optimal level lost production. Enphase is not as efficient as a central inverter, when comparing your DC to AC rating.

Tigo, is a power maximizer and therefore does not do the DC to AC conversion behind the panel. It allows you to break up strings, use multiple pitches. With central inverters, when you run into shading or soiling the panels maximum output has to align with the lowest common denominator in the string, tigo builds a bridge around that and allows you to skip the afflicted panel so your energy does not bottleneck.

The long and the short of it is that it gets hot behind those panels in the summer (130-140 degrees), whether you are in So. Cal (like me) or New Jersey(like you). Heat and electricity do not get along and my experience has been that in stressful conditions (130-140 degree heat) the Enphase stops working and fails. Then, another and another and another...and it does have a 15 year warranty and they do pay for lost production, but think about if you want to be dealing with your solar contractor every time it gets hot. Whereas, if Tigo fails, you are alerted, and your system is still converting power through your Central Inverter, and then your solar contractor fixes the Tigo, which has a 20 year warranty. Tigo is much more complex to install.

The best advice I can give, choose your solar contractor wisely. Don't get hung up on panels and inverters because that will drive you mad, pay attention to how long the company has been in business, what is their reputation, can you see their jobs, meet their clients, do they have the back end support to meet you. You don't want the guy who has installed 20 systems learning the industry on your roof, and you don't want the guy whose truck says: Heating/Air Conditioning/Tile Work/And now Solar until rebates run out!

[Mike90250]

...and it does have a 15 year warranty and they do pay for lost production, but think about if you want to be dealing with your solar contractor every time it gets hot...

HA !!! lost production, lets see, 200 watts for 5 hours, for 30 days @ 10c KWh

That's 30KWh, a whooping $3.00


Thanks for the heads up, I'll feel much safer about my friends who get failed units, and will eventually get all that lost production $ back.

What's more surprising is that you are reporting field failed units, that have been replaced, whereas till now, I've only heard that *some* month old units (new installs only) have failed, and nothing else.

Thanks for the update.

[dj905]

@solarsurfer

thanks for the detailed comments. They are very helpful.

David