Recent content by EnerGenie

None of the 34 "second hand" micros (I bought off of Ebay for $60 each) have failed. The 2018 versions did not have the problem, 90% of the 2019, and 2020 versions had the "drop outs" when panel output exceeded about 70 watts. I will have to get the firmware version from using the...

Hi, I can't believe they won't resolve the ensure by downloading new firmware as they did on my micros. The firmware upgrade was done , unaware to me, when an Australian Enphase Engineer saw my issue. Yes, it took a month of denials before a competent Enphase Engineer put eyes on my...

In mid-June 2021 my 34-panel array started producing power. It was built with new Hyundai 370W. panels and pre-owned Enphase micros. The micros were IQ7AS and SPWR-A4 (Enphase rebrands their IQ7A micros for SunPower with those ,and perhaps other, designations) I bought 8 IQ7AS (2018...

If you have empirical data for your location, then it is a good argument for your conclusion. If clouds seem to roll in during the middle of the day (this happens in Houston from the prevailing South winds injecting moisture from the Gulf of Mexico into the atmosphere) then a more East...

I only have experience with my one installation which I designed and built myself. I am using microinverters and I think that microinverters treat each panel as "independent contractors". As such, there is no influence from adjacent panels (as in a string inverter) and I can tabulate each...

I lived in Texas for 43 years now. There are over 50 power providers in my area to choose from (only about 10 offer solar buyback), but most people fall for the plans with gimmicks. The best non-solar plans offer Energy at 5.8 cent a kW (plus the Centerpoint delivery charge of 4.6 cents a...

With Enphase Enlighten , you can play around with the orientation of each array and instantly see the monthly and yearly production estimates. I entered in different "tilt" angles to see how the monthly and yearly production outputs changed. 26° tilt was the optimum for my latitude and...

I opted for a "grid tied" system because we had decent "net metering" plans here in Houston and the grid has become my unlimited storage for excessive power. Adding a battery would not be cost effective , especially since I was able to install my 12.58 kW system for only $.47 a Watt...

I live in Houston too. My panels are installed on a roof surface that is 180° azimuth (South). I have a 4/12 roof pitch on that surface (about 19°). A fixed panel angle, that is optimal for Houston, is about 26°, but going through the heroics to mount panels on that angle would only result...

Yeah, When designing my home I consulted "span tables" and used beefy roof rafters (2 x 8 16"o.c. ) to allow for long uninterrupted spans and minimize bracing obstacles. No ductwork is present in the attic. My attic (texas basement) is now filled with about 50 shelving units to hold...

Yes, the Enphase microinverters are quite rugged, but under the panels there is no easy way to view them, swap them out, etc. I initially had some problems with some of the microinverters ( a firmware issue that Enphase refused to acknowledge for a month) I had to prove it to them...

Hi Mike, Since you mentioned power optimizers, I assume your system is using a string inverter. Since I bought used Enphase 350W microinverters for only $60 each, my power conversion expense was less than a string inverter with dc power optimizers. I designed and made all the...

I would have never entertained installing a system if it was as expensive as most Solar Companies are quoting. I was doing this project with cash/credit cards and a short payback period was mandatory. My system should pay back in 2.8 years.