Solar Edge Vs Enphase Power optimizers

[jonezez]

Why do so many installers quote enphase first?

My experience has been pretty black/white with quotes. Those that sell enphase really tout the benefits of microinverters and don't spend anytime on the string inverters... and vice-versa. Haven't had one that presents both options very objectively. Makes sense from a sales perspective i suppose

[donald]

How do inverter manufacturers get away with not paying the installer for labor on warranty work? It seem to me that Enphase has set themselves up for long term problems with their long guarantee, regardless of not paying labor. It also seems that the Enphase guarantee makes them unattractive as a company for purchase by a larger business.

More than half the companies installing Enphase won't be in business in ten years. I assume at that point Enphase pays labor on warranty work.

[jonezez]

I chose SolarEdge because I like the technology. I'm happy with my choice, but I've got to admit, Enphase's monitoring and reporting system is much, much better.

That's what I've consistently read when learning more about these choices... what is the SolarEdge with power optimizer reporting/monitoring like that makes it inferior?
And in the end, is monitoring something that is fun to see when you first have the system installed but then loses it's novelty after awhile? (some friends have told me this). Just wondering about the premium paid for microinverter technology...

[sdold]

And in the end, is monitoring something that is fun to see when you first have the system installed but then loses it's novelty after awhile?

That's the way it was with me, the fun is gone but I do check it from time to time.

I'm surprised that installers aren't scared away by Enphase dropping the labor coverage in the warranty, especially with the history of the M190s. It seems like it would be very labor-intensive (costly) to replace two or three microinverters over the life of the warranty compared to a string inverter.

[silversaver]

Not many people monitoring their solar system everyday. If one of two go bad, the solar will still produce. The most recent 2 installations done with Enphase system, the installer only offer basic function as pubblic view to owners without individual panel monitoring.

The installer gets pay from Enphase for labor as now, so no big deal for them.

[sdold]

The installer gets pay from Enphase for labor as now, so no big deal for them.

Didn't know that, good to hear. Not sure where I read to the contrary. EDIT: I think it was in a post above.

[Naptown]

Ok guys read the warranties and the momitoring specifics.
Enphase paid labor on the M190
And not on the 215 or 250
Enphase also stopped the panel level monitoring except for installers.
The envoy which is the heart of their monitoring is warranted for 2 let me repeat that for those who didn't get it the first time TWO YEARS. Not 25!
Want to add batteries in an AC coupled system warranty void if caught.
Oh and no single point of failure?
How about taking the number of panels and adding the number of microinverters to it. 20 panels string inverter 21 points of failure
21 panels with microinverters 42 points of failure.

[sdold]

Oh and no single point of failure?
How about taking the number of panels and adding the number of microinverters to it. 20 panels string inverter 21 points of failure
21 panels with microinverters 42 points of failure.

I guess Solaredge would have 43 then. I suppose that the OP would need to weigh Solaredge's better warranty against possibly not being able to replace a failed optimizer or inverter if they are no longer in business.

[GoingSolar]

Enphase also stopped the panel level monitoring except for installers.

Yikes! So no monitoring for self installs? Really? If that's true I won't bother with Enphase.....

[donald]

I guess Solaredge would have 43 then. I suppose that the OP would need to weigh Solaredge's better warranty against possibly not being able to replace a failed optimizer or inverter if they are no longer in business.

Does a failed Solaredge optimizer stop producing power, or does it just stop optimizing?

[sdold]

Yikes! So no monitoring for self installs? Really? If that's true I won't bother with Enphase.....

No, for self installs, you get the full monitoring (Enlighten Manager) at no cost. You list yourself as the installer when setting up your account.

[thejq]

Does a failed Solaredge optimizer stop producing power, or does it just stop optimizing?

I have only seen one confirmed failure (a recent system by @makarowski), but it wasn't clear to me if it's because of communication or bad optimizer. But in his case, even the web portal reports zero output, the overall output suggested that the panel+optimizer was still working. I just checked his public site, it seems the problem has now been fixed. Maybe you can PM him directly and report back or ask him to comment here for everyone's benefit.

[kevcor620]

Some installers cover labor. My installer warranty covers enphase micros for 20 years labor in addition to the 25 year manufacturer warranty on parts.

[makarowski]

I have only seen one confirmed failure (a recent system by @makarowski), but it wasn't clear to me if it's because of communication or bad optimizer. But in his case, even the web portal reports zero output, the overall output suggested that the panel+optimizer was still working. I just checked his public site, it seems the problem has now been fixed. Maybe you can PM him directly and report back or ask him to comment here for everyone's benefit.

Hi Everyone,

I had one optimizer fail on about day 3 ... infant mortality. my luck.

The optimizer stopped communicating and looked to be not generating power ... at least in a string of 13 it was a guess. Since I was doing some hyper monitoring in the early days, I noticed it right away. The LCD panel on the inverter also showed "23/24 optimizers" so at a min the comms were down. My installer responded quickly over email, acknowledged the problem and came out about a week later -> had to coordinate with a SE technician on the phone to troubleshoot on-site. "yes you have a bad optimizer, new one on order".

Seems like they needed to do a formal site visit just to confirm bad inverter and get a new one under warranty. And also cost SE two "truck rolls"..

About a week after that, since the replacement still didn't arrive from SE, my installer pulled one from their stock and came to do the repair. I was not at home due to travel, but when I got back I saw "24/24" optimizers on the inverter LCD, but online there was still the "bad" optimizer in the system. I think they forgot to update the portal with the new optimizer ID. I think it took them about 3 weeks (only in the last week or so) to finally get around to updating the on-line system. I was not pushing them since the system seemed to be working well (I have some amazing efficiency numbers as reported by PVOutput in team sandiego).

Let me know if you have any more questions...

BMak

[thejq]

Thanks, BMak, for the update. Now we know.