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I am on the fence on what kind of system to buy. I'm leaning towards the SunPower or Enphase micro inverter system. I took a look at SunPower's monitoring system... I don't see any place where I can monitor individual panels! I thought this was one of the main draws to micro inverters. I don't get it. Enphase does have individual panel monitoring. I'd rather have individual monitoring because then I have proof when a single panel is under producing. Otherwise I won't know which one is. This will be costly to determine. Am I missing something?
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SunPower is a module manufacture not an inverter manufacturer. They do white label other companies inverters, usually string inverters though.
Enphase is a micro inverter which will give you module level monitoring.
The other solution for this is solaredge which is a module level optimized system that will give you module level monitoring at higher efficiency.
OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNH -
yes and no... I have solaredge monitoring and it is suppose to update every 15mins... after months of the monitoring system stopping for an hr/2, and sometimes for days on end, my installer changed the communications from the net to a cell tower which only updates every 4hrs... well that system sucks toooo... I have not had a reading since sept 29th, when I turned off the system and 'rebooted it' when I turned it back on... it worked for 1/2 day, now its off and the house is '2' plus hrs away... the installer assures me the system is producing, just not seeing it online... supposedly solaredge is working on a solution... I paid a lot of $$$ for this system and wondering what my options are....
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I don't know what your installer is doing but I suggest you contact solaredge directly. I am monitoring a lot of sites and have not seen this supposed software issue you mentioned before. Yes the cellular system updates every 4 hours though that can be changed and I always adjust ours to do full monitoring when we install cellular. The Broadband internet connection is fairly reliable, though the zigbee connection method can be problematic. Enphase micros have a much bigger issue as they have internet as well as micro to enphase communication issues. Supposedly this is better with the new S series but still involves making sure the envoy is plugged into an outlet logically close to the micros as well as the internet.
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Don't get all enamored with module level monitoring. Paris401's experience is common. The reality is that solar PV panels are a 100 times more reliable than the monitoring systems. Just put your system in, maybe check the inverter occasionally, and forget it. Don't get all into whether its working absolutely optimally - maybe put in an extra panel or two to make sure you have plenty of power - and forget it.BSEE, R11, NABCEP, Chevy BoltEV, >3000kW installedComment
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I agree with ya not to get crazy...but... I (we) did spend a fair amount of $$$ on these systems and they should work... or maybe we could just pay them for the times they are working... if I buy a new car and it runs fine, but the electronics are funky, back to the dealer it goes... and if they don't have a fix... that's the dilemma we seem to be in...
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I installed my system back in April of 2013 and couldn't be happier. I'm using the Enphase 215 micros along with 260w panels and have had ZERO problems. Occasionally my internet com will drop out and all I do is unplug the modem, router, and Envoy wait 60 seconds and replug back in and it reconnects. Having the ability to individually monitor my panels and micros is great when comparing estimated output to actual output. If I see a drop in a panel I know it's probably a shading issue and I do a little trimming of the palms or birds and output goes back to the surrounding panels. Just checked it this AM and total output to date is 46.6 Mwts which is about 95% of the estimate on the Enphase site. Converting all this info gives me an accurate ROI and when my 4th anniversary comes around next April I will be past the break even mark and putting money back in my pocket for how ever long the system lasts. Average annual savings the past 3 years has been about $3,349. So just roughly figuring on a 20 year lifespan with the same output I will have made over 55k on a 12k investment, pretty good for doing nothing. Monitoring is a good thing.Comment
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Hmmmmmm...
But I have precisely this same dilemma facing me: enphase micros or SE Optimizer? ...or say hell with it and spring for SunPower?
Seems to me the proclivity for monitoring is a lifestyle-thing. I know it is certainly true that I will never want, personally, to be monitoring these things. And in fact the company bidding on our system (LA Solar) warrantees output so in theory they'll be monitoring it ...though I suppose that's enough reason right there to need to do some monitoring myself.
But the point is, regardless of eventual proclivity, if you *can't* determine whether the system's running efficiently, who's to say it is? It's like a tree falling in a forest, practically. You *say* it's working but who's to know?? (per Reagan, who I'm guessing is a hero to more than I would have guessed on this board: 'trust but verify'...)
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I agree. It's more a personality match than lifestyle, but I get your point. I'm a data geek personality, and there is no doubt in my mind I will choose individual monitoring every time, despite the allure of set it and forget it and no electronics on the roof. The installer I chose was also like that, he doesn't install string unless specifically asked for. his words "I don't want to have my electricians out here trying to chase down which panel isn't working, if it even is malfunctioning, in your 28 panel system." That statement is a little bit unfair, since troubleshooting isn't really that much more work once on site. But as it is now, his secretary was taught how to monitor people's system using solaredge if they ever call in to complain or question performance. Much different salary costs.Comment
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WEll most systems do not come with monitoring service. Even the PPA/Lease systems are barely monitored, some of them though they use solaredge and enphase do not actually have access to the module level.
I know we have to go through a lot of training to get new installers up on all the information they need to give us to set it up.
Most of the warranties and guaranties on production are up to the homeowner to prove they are not getting.
There are some exceptions to the monitoring and production guaranties ( I think my company is one, as I am in charge of the monitoring ).
That said engines have monitoring systems too, which help with engine life. They vary from full monitor with lots of guages and measurements, to an idiot light on the dash. I love a good old engine with magnetos and no computer but when your wife just wants to get to work every day, that computer controlled engine with OBD2 connection is nice.OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNHComment
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