Enphase IQ Microinverters

The Enphase IQ Microinverter Energy Storage System

IQ Accessories

MyEnlighten Monitoring Software is available for many different devices.

Enlighten and Apps

Enphase Enlighten makes energy smarter, with in-depth insights.

· Enlighten Manager brings installers in-depth data for convenient fleet management
· MyEnlighten lets system owners track system health and share their production
· Installer Toolkit speeds up installations without compromising quality.

Learn more about MyEnlighten.

Get started with the Enphase Installer Toolkit: Android - IOS.

Enphase IQ Microinverter System Review

The Enphase IQ Microinverter is efficient, expandable and easy to install.

The Enphase IQ Microinverter System saves time before you even reach the job site, simplifying inventory management, packing more lightweight microinverters per box to reduce trips up the ladder, and bundling cables so they can be easily slung over the shoulder. It helps that the two-wire Q Cable uses half the conductors and weighs 50 percent less than the previous Engage cable. The components of the Enphase IQ system come together to enable faster, easier installations. They're truly plug-and-play, and each does its part to dramatically increase installation speed.

Even faster to install.

Enphase Energy made IQ system installation easier than ever. The Enphase Q Cable (Q stands for quick) is lightweight and plug-and-play, making installations extra fast.

Versatile to give you more freedom.

The Enphase IQ system supports a wide range of modules, including both 60 and 72 cell solar panels, as well as high-power modules. Despite flexibility and high-power, the IQ6 Microinverter has up to an incredible 97% efficiency.

Ready for utility requirements.

The IQ System is smart grid ready, with UL 1741 SA certification. Grid requirements will continue to evolve, the IQ System can easily adapt to future requirements thanks to remote update capabilities.

Rapid shutdown built in.

The Enphase IQ system meets rapid shutdown requirements and is safer than other technologies.

Here are some of the ways IQ will improve your installation process.

IQ reduces electrical component parts count

One of the challenges of conventional solar installations is efficiently managing inventory of junction boxes, watertight compression fittings, and off-the-shelf conduit and conductors needed to link up sections of a rooftop array. Any shortage of small electrical components adds significant time to the job as crew members restock at the hardware store or back at the warehouse.

The IQ System replaces numerous electrical balance of system components with the Enphase Q-Aggregator supporting up to three branch circuits and accepting the same plug-and-play connectors that connect to the microinverters, making any connector a place to feed or branch off to another part of the system.

Installers also have the option of using standard electrical components to transition branch circuits from the roof to the Enphase IQ Combiner Box with consolidated metering and networking equipment, including a preconfigured IQ Envoy communications gateway, at ground level. The IQ Combiner Box combines up to four electrical enclosures into one, eliminating the need for a separate subpanel, meter enclosure, Envoy enclosure, and AC disconnect, as well as all the hardware to connect these pieces together. Learn more about installing with Enphase.

IQ improves design flexibility

One of the inherent limitations of string inverter systems is the need to always complete a loop in the electrical design. With these DC power systems, there’s no opportunity to branch off to islanded arrays on complex rooftops or in response to on-the-fly design changes.

The field-wireable connectors in the IQ System allow for safe and simple connections from any open connector and the ability to center feed any section of cable up to a 20-amp limit allowing the system to be built as a tree with branches rather than a constricted linear design. The lighter two-wire Q Cable also makes it easier to handle wire management, whether that means fastening cable to rails or to the module frame using standard clips in a rail-less mounting system. To streamline the installation process even further, eliminating field wiring of the microinverter to the module, look for the introduction of Enphase Energized AC Modules from multiple partners at your distributor this summer.

IQ enables faster commissioning

A new generation of Line to Line power line communications made it possible to remove the neutral conductor from the Enphase cabling system and results in new Envoys and Combiners for the IQ System. This, along with new embedded software, results in a notable improvement in microinverter detection during commissioning.

All the process improvements in the IQ System build upon an industry-leading home energy solution that comes with built-in compliance for 2014 and 2017 NEC rapid shutdown requirements and advanced grid functionality that will be needed as utilities move to new standards this year. As grid conditions change, Enphase’s ability to report on each microinverter’s performance and remotely push firmware updates to the field will prevent the need for costly, time-consuming, and unnecessary truck rolls.

Enphase Microinverters have proven benefits over other technologies.

Higher production, best savings

If a solar module is in the shade or temporarily covered with debris, the other modules will continue to provide power with an Enphase Microinverter grid-tie solar system.

• Microinverters operate independently, so each solar panel performs to its fullest. One shaded or dirty panel won't affect the rest of the system.
• Burst technology lets microinverters produce more at dawn, dusk, and in low-light conditions. This allows for a longer solar day for a larger energy harvest.

More reliable

Because microinverters function independently, they are inherently more reliable. There is no single point of failure in an Enphase IQ Microinverter solar system.

• If one solar panel fails, the other solar panels will continue to produce power.
• Enphase microinverters undergo the most rigorous product testing in the industry.
• Enphase stands by their products with the industry's highest warranties.

Safer than other inverter technologies

• An all-AC system means no high-voltage DC power on your roof.
• Enphase Microinverters are commonly chosen for schools, since they meet even the strictest government safety requirements.

Enphase microinverters are a long-term investment

• Enphase microinverters come with a 25-year warranty; string inverters typically need to be replaced at least once in the lifetime of the system.
• Streamlined components make for quicker and less costly installations.
• High-quality materials and remote problem-solving save money on repairs.

The Enphase Microinverter was designed to address the challenges associated with traditional grid-tied inverters.

Enphase IQ Microinverter Accessories

	Enphase IQ Envoy
	Enphase Q Cables & Connectors
	Enphase IQ Battery
	Enphase IQ Aggregator
	Enphase IQ Combiner
	Enphase MyEnlighten

• Maximizing the energy harvest of an array of solar modules.
• Having a single inverter for an entire array creates a single point of failure.
• Complex design decisions must be made in sizing DC series and parallel strings.
• Limited monitoring and analysis and no per-panel visibility.

Enphase Microinverter General FAQ

What is a Microinverter?
An inverter is a power converter that converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). Traditionally, this has meant one, centrally-located inverter converting all of the DC current from the entire PV array. A micro-inverter is a much smaller version of the central inverter where there is one per PV module. The DC gets converted to AC at the point of the PV module. AC power then travels upstream through an ordinary branch circuit, and to the service panel.

What is a Microinverter system?
A Microinverter system is a federation of multiple microinverters all along a branch circuit, and/or within multiple branch circuits, which are all converting DC to AC, all injecting their current upstream, and reporting back to Enphase regarding their individual power-production statistics. Latest innovations allow a microinverter system to include a Lithium-Ion battery for backup power and other energy storage purposes.

How do Enphase Microinverters differ from AC solar panels?
With AC solar panels (PVAC), the inverter and module are a single unit and are sold and installed as such. In contrast, the Enphase Microinverter is architected as a standalone inverter. This modular design means they can offer the flexibility to work with most off-the-shelf solar modules.

Can Microinverters work in off-grid environments?
No. They have only been tested to work in grid-tied installations.

Can Enphase be used in both Residential and Commercial solar deployments?
Yes. the IQ series are designed for standard 208VAC & 240VAC solar panel systems. The C Series supports 277 V/480 WYE or medium voltage (MV) commercial three-phase service. All Enphase Microinverters are designed to last the life of the PV solar panels.

What solar panels are they compatible with?
They are compatible with most major brands of solar panels. Contact us for Enphase IQ compatibility assistance.