diy solar

diy solar

New Enphase system questions

Are you getting panel level data from your Enphase micro's?
You mean this data?

kgDqLyZ.jpg







.
 
are you displaying Enphase Microinverter level data directly from the microinverters or are using data from their hub or something else?
I explained that to you in post 18. The screen shot looks exactly like the one I get from my Envoy. The Enphase Envoy is a device that monitors the communcation traffic from the micros.
 
I explained that to you in post 18. The screen shot looks exactly like the one I get from my Envoy. The Enphase Envoy is a device that monitors the communcation traffic from the micros.
Yep. I don't really use it. I like my Energy Monitor alot better it's also much more accurate.

I have been pondering cutting the enphase off from the internet completely. It does not need the internet to work.


.
 
I have been pondering cutting the enphase off from the internet completely. It does not need the internet to work.
I have not explored that possibility. What are the pros and cons?
Is your Enphase spending too much time on Facebook or Youtube, or what is the problem with having it communicate with the Internet that a VPN or virus software can't solve?
 
I have not explored that possibility. What are the pros and cons?
Is your Enphase spending too much time on Facebook or Youtube, or what is the problem with having it communicate with the Internet that a VPN or virus software can't solve?

Stuxnet and Sandworm.
 
I vaguely remember something in the warranty docs about disconnecting the system from the internetz for extended periods results in voiding your warranty - may want to read into that and whether it was it is fact.
Also, denying the Envoy to synchronise with Enlighten will really leave you blind if you start having micro/firmware issues, which is quite rampant atm.
Ask me how I know, and how Enlighten Manage was instrumental in proving faults and getting RMA warranties.
 
I find this amusing. The Enphase enlighten system is trying to tell me there is an issue with the system and it's been pretty cloudy and rainy lately.

But looking at my own monitoring system all looks ok. I don't look or use the the Enphase system very much and still don't care for it.

So if someone like most did not understand solar and clouds this Enphase crap monitoring system would give you a false indication that something is wrong. LOL

I will soon take the Enphase system off the internet and make it local only. Because it having the internet and access to the weather obviously does not make it smart enough to know there is bad weather in the area.

They need to let it go open source so we can make it great...

Enlighten System .

KwXYEJH.jpg


My Monitor System.

D8y4sSP.jpg







.
 
...... The Enphase enlighten system is trying to tell me there is an issue with the system and it's been pretty cloudy and rainy lately.
The settings for "threshold" are user adjustable. All you have to do is change it. My system is west facing with some shade so I lowered the number.
 
The settings for "threshold" are user adjustable. All you have to do is change it. My system is west facing with some shade so I lowered the number.

Thanks for the tip... I will lower it a low as it will go. I do have installer access to my system also.

Update. I just turned it off the Dumb $$$ that installed this had it set to 95% LOL

CNs9dRL.jpg



.
 
My installer was even dumber. I reminded him of that mistake again this morning when I saw him as I was brushing my teeth.;)

You are all are so funny. Thanks for the info. I was gonna install myself but could not pass up the deal for paying cash and all.
 
The monitor system you use is great, however Enphase Enlighten can tell you exactly what is going on at the individual panel level. AC/DC voltage, current and temperature. With your global monitor system if you had 1 panel/microinverter that dropped 15% in production you do not have a tool to troubleshoot down to the panel level. I had this occur after 2 months of normal operation. This is rare for the IQ7+ inverters but I was able to diagnose myself and create a return through Enphase Enlighten Manager. They checked on their end and sent a new inverter asap, very simple efficient process.
 
Thanks for the reply. I am the type that likes to have control of things esp when it's connected to my network. I probably will just put it behind a VPN and then see if I get a dirty email form the installer or enphase. It's my system I own it. Well we did the super low interest financing. I tried to get better pricing by paying cash but they were not really going down much more than $3 a watt anyway. I will just pay it off sooner than later anyway. We are not the type to have loans on things. I'm am very techy and will probably take control of the system anyway. I am been doing alot of reading in here and already learned a ton.

Can't play too much as of yet because the system is turned off right now. Can't even ping the IP of the IQ Combiner yet. LOL

I'm sure Enphase is not too secure. If these companies that install it have full access I will too.

They did not impress me too much anyway. When I started asking questions you could tell it was beyond there know how. This is a company that has been in business since 1998 and you would think they would know a thing or two. If I was to do it again. I would do this myself it's not rocket science. This stuff is mostly plug and play now. I just am lazy and work for a living and wanted a turn key system to play with... This was installed on a brand new house. We own another house that we paid off a while ago and now rent it out. I almost put solar on it a while ago.







.





.
Yeah, I know what you mean, I took control of my system, they did not know much about the system and I got furious, I did asked them if they were Enphase certified installers (not sure if there is a certification from them )and they said yes, they installed the system, but during my final inspection I had to point out a few things that were done incorrectly. I ended up installing the CTs for consumption because they did not know how to do it. Their electricians left conduit connections loose and did not sealed the combiner boxes.
 
Well I am itching to get the Encharge system installed now.

I have an 9360 watt system with 26 panels and 26 IQ7A Micro Inverters

I have contacted Enphase direct and they suggest (1) Encharge 10 and (2) Encharge 3 battery systems and of course the Smart Switch.

I have 4 Strings from the panels going to the IQ Envoy. The panels are broken up in a 6, 7, 7, 6 panels per 12ga string.

I most likely only need the Encharge 10 setup because I primary am looking to have the backup battery system going our sub panel circuits only. Which is on an 80 amp breaker from the main panel outside.


I have three different companies working on quotes for me. I did get a quick quote to just install an Encharge 3 system installed and they came back with $5200 installed. But if I am going to go with it I would want the Encharge 10 and then add more later

I saw where Enphase just lowered there prices on these Encharge systems and we still have the 26% tax credit for a couple of years.

Any one else out there get this system installed? How has it been going for ya and what did you pay for it?

I told them for the quotes this will be a cash deal. I don't want no solar loan.
 
Any one else out there get this system installed? How has it been going for ya and what did you pay for it?
Love mine, have a complete write-up/history here and $ numbers here. Please keep us posted how it goes!
 
Last edited:
Love mine, have a complete write-up/history here and $ numbers here. Please keep us posted how it

Will do. Still waiting on quotes. The only reason I started looking into this early is because Enphase just dropped the prices by about 30%.

I wonder if I should wait more and they will drop them again? :)

.
 
Will do. Still waiting on quotes. The only reason I started looking into this early is because Enphase just dropped the prices by about 30%.

I wonder if I should wait more and they will drop them again? :)
Inverters are dropping due to competition and technology advances, but I think panels are at there bottom for pricing and wont drop much more.....panels are almost as cheap as the glass to make them, they have bottomed out in my opinion,
 
Inverters are dropping due to competition and technology advances, but I think panels are at there bottom for pricing and wont drop much more.....panels are almost as cheap as the glass to make them, they have bottomed out in my opinion,
Not looking for panels or inverters. I am looking to installing the Encharge system to my Enphase solar system that I have already.
 
Not looking for panels or inverters. I am looking to installing the Encharge system to my Enphase solar system that I have already.

And those have room to drop. That's a bank of microinverters fitted with batteries.

It is good to have a system of equipment designed/tested to work together. But how does cost of Enphase battery solution compare to other AC coupled batteries & inverters? Is a system sized to match your PV system reasonably priced and able to power your intended loads?
 
Back
Top