Wrenches, Thank you for the good responses re batteryless GT inverters for existing off-grid arrays. It looks like PV Powered, Kaco, and Enphase are good possibilities.
I investigated the Enphase approach more thououghly and came up with a few questions that weren't addressed on their website. Here are the questions and answers for others' benefit. Hi Allan, Marv Dargatz passed along your inquiries about Enphase, from the WRENCHES mailing list, to me, for follow-up. Answers are inline below. 1. Your AC output is 240V if single-phase. As your wiring requires a reference neutral conductor, I fear that because existing off-grid arrays typically run DC from the pole to the BOS, the existing two conductors plus ground of the DC won't work to carry the Enphase's AC. Your ideas? This is problematic. Enphase uses the neutral to carry its powerline communications back to the EMU (network gateway / meter) as well. 2. Are your DC pigtails MC1, MC3, Tyco Solarlok, or reconfigurable? You can order the Enphase Micro-inverters with either the non-locking (MC-3) or locking (MC-4) style connectors. They're two different SKUs, so you just need to make sure that you order the correct type for your solar module. These are not field-reconfigurable. 3. What do you suggest for older modules with j-boxes? A single MC extension cable, cut to length? Can the inverters be ordered with longer ordinary MC cable pigtails for this application? The D/C leads coming off of the Enphase Micro-inverter are only a couple of inches long, coming out of the enclosure. We don't currently have a SKU option for ordering longer leads. Yes, making your own leads, terminated in the j-box, and having enough length to connect to the Enphase D/C leads, would be required. The orientation of the module, where the Micro-inverter was racked, etc., would affect this length consideration. 4. Do you reimburse bona fide installation professionals for warranty expenses? Yes! Enphase has recently finalized the terms of its Replacement & Reimbursement policy. This will be posted on our public website soon. I can send you an email notification when it is posted. This policy is quite reasonable; I think you will like it, but would appreciate any/all feedback on it, if you have any. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions for you. Thank you. Best Regards, Scott King Enphase Energy, Customer Support Ph. (877) 797-4743, ext. 7026 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.enphaseenergy.com Allan Sindelar allan_(at)_positiveenergysolar.com <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> NABCEP certified solar PV installer Positive Energy, Inc. 3225A Richards Lane Santa Fe NM 87507 505 424-1112
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