Hi Travis, These Enphase folks have (IMHO) thought out their "AC module" program at least a wee bit better than the NKF (manufacturers of the Trace marketed MicroSine) folks, allowing they have had a few more _years_ to do it.
There are multiple caveats on their documentation _not_ to exceed their specifications, one of those is copied below. *********************** WARNING: The maximum open circuit voltage of the PV module must not exceed the specified maximum input voltage of the Enphase Microinverter. The output voltage and current of the PV module depends on the quantity, size and temperature of the PV cells, as well as the solar insolation on each cell. The highest PV module output voltage occurs when the temperature of the cells is the lowest and the module is at open circuit (not operating). The maximum short circuit current rating of the module must be equal to or less than the maximum input DC short circuit current rating of the Micro-inverter. A list of compatible PV modules is maintained on the Enphase website (www.enphaseenergy.com). ********************* I have an interest in using the Enphase product, also, so I am in learning mode at this point (No point in creating my own Enphase static demo from an otherwise ~$200 (retail) serviceable piece of equipment) and I also try to minimize the "magic smoke" releases on my watch. You may be interested in knowing that you will have to provide either MC3 or 4 connectors from your "non-compatible/field compatible" two panel module array to mate with the micro inverter. If I am reading their documentation correctly, at least one of the faults of the Enphase micro inverter can _only_ be cleared by using; yes, you guessed it, the Enphase Energy Management Unit (EMU) an even more pricey piece of gear that incorporates the optional(?) use of a (user supplied) computer. Too bad that version 1.0 of this box could not include some Euro design in both the overall form and pictorial display which would make the _hundreds_ of dollars price at least a bit more palatable. But then that would leave less room for the "new and improved" Version 2.0 SunnyDisplay(sp?) knockoff. Your customer's "hobby conversion" system is getting a bit pricey at this point. BTW, what is he going to do with the third twelve volt, 120 watt module? As you may already be aware, Enphase has inverters for nominal 24 volt modules and a _different_ inverter for 32 volt modules as well as other variations within these two module groups. Travis, you do so well with the energy conversions from gas to electric, heat load calculations, and so many other wrench related things. You might want to check Marv Dargatz's (Enphase employee) two posts toward the end of last month regarding MTBF before adding to the confusion. I don't know why Enphase has chosen to use this statistic in its ads, it is my understanding this is a useful tool to determine what level of quality components should go in a circuit. Obviously, there is some confusion at the wrench level and probably even more so at the consumer level. Regarding the unique AC connector at the inverter, you guessed right again, Enphase has that available with another pricey "kit". Once my kit is delivered (I've already gotten the bill for all this pricey equipment.) I will report what that connector is and hopefully allow my fellow wrenches to source that connector at non Enphase pricing. The only identification on the inverter connector end is A6 (on the locking ring). Best wishes for a productive install, for both the conventional and micro systems. Let us know how they both went and if there is any realistically viable way to compare the outputs. Bill Loesch Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar 314 631 1094 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Travis Creswell" <[email protected]> To: "'RE-wrenches'" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 7:51 PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Application > Greetings Wrenches, > > I have customer with a three module array made up of 120 watt Kyocera's that > charge the battery bank underutilized of “hobby system”. > > It spends most time in float plus were adding a 5.5 kW direct grid tied > array that require us to move the existing array so the customer is > interested in putting an EnPhase inverter on two of the Kyocera 120’s. > > I’ve looked over the EnPhase specs and don’t see a reason why I can’t wire > two KC120’s in series and feed the EnPhase with them. I do see them listing > it’s compatibility of up 225 watt modules but am having a hard time getting > much further. I didn’t find a max input wattage so what happens if I put > 240 watts to the EnPhase? Does the magic smoke come out on day one or does > MTBF drop from 32,895 years to 80 years? > > Even is the EnPhase's max output is 200 watts it's still more kWh/day then > the hobby system that spending most of it's time in float. I can see no > difference between one 72 cell module and two 36 cell module in series. > > Also it looks like there is unique connector coming off the AC side of the > module. How do I deal with that? > > Best and thanks in advance! > Travis Creswell > Ozark Energy Services > > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.43/2043 - Release Date: 4/6/2009 > 6:22 AM > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: [email protected] > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
