ncsolarelectric
Engineering Support CEO
I don't know of any other off-grid capable microinverters other than Enphase IQ8, and while they can do it, Enphase won't let you do it. In order to use the IQ8's off-grid, you still need the grid and their transfer switch, and 2 Load controllers or an Encharge battery, and their Gateway with both wifi and a cellular modem to connect them all. Once you have all that in place, then you can provision the inverters to work off-grid. Unfortunately, I didn't do it right so now I'm waiting on the battery to arrive, so I can install it and turn my off-grid system on.I don't know a ton about the micro inverter options, but let's say that I took the EG4 inverters out of the mix and went with micro inverters on the roof, would those just feed my 'off grid' panel? How would I integrate the battery bank? Or would the micro inverters feed the AC input for the EG4 inverters?
I assume the bigger name brands like Enphase have some sort of device that does, but I haven't researched it much at all. I just know some of those options are obscenely expensive, but I don't exactly know why. Better UL listed parts perhaps and better automation?
My neighbors a couple of streets over are using the same REC400A panels that I have (granted they also have 20 more than I do at the moment) with Micro inverters, but no energy storage and they paid $80K. I think right now I'm up to $21K with the 6 batteries, two inverters, snap n rack racking, the sub panels, all wiring, conduit, wireways, jboxes, fuses, breakers, and a couple of tools that I didn't have. If I had the same number of panels as them, my cost would be closer to $32K with the additional racking, wiring, conduit, second roof entry, and additional Tigos - I just can't see how / why it cost them that extra 48K, even with install labor, additional racking and micro inverters, and permitting, and still having no ESS.
If anyone knows of an off-grid capable microinverter, I'd love to hear about it. The closest I've found can work in parallel with a generator or off-grid inverter, but can't operate without an existing microgrid.