| Item |
Description |
Image |
|
Micro Inverters Rule the Entry Level System Category |
Enphase has found a great niche in the
small DIY system market. The Enphase Micro Inverter can be as little as one
Inverter and as large as 100s of them.
This customer had an old 1200W Backup
System that was in the house when he bought it. He did not want to replace
the batteries (and manage that maintenance issue) so he chose to just reuse
the existing PV Modules with new Enphase Inverters, saving a substantial
portion of the cost as compared to a new system.
We used the Enphase M190 Inverter. We
wired these 12 each 100W Monocrystalline Modules in series, two at each
inverter. The 17Vmp x 2 matches perfectly with the 30+ Vmp recommended for
the Enphase M190. The customer can still expand his system with 200W panels
from a different company. That is one of great advantages of the Enphase
System!
Below is the step by step process for a
basic installation. Other Mounting methods include Pole Mount, Ground Mount
and others... |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Safety First |
We mount Roof Jacks on the edge and
added 2x6s to prevent the ground from a fast approach... it is not fall
that gets you, it is the sudden landing |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
Start from the ground up... |
It might be difficult to see in the photo without clicking on it to enlarge,
but the next step is to lay out and mount the feet that hold the racking
system in place. We used 12 anchors in this case. The actual layout, roof
structure and module orientation determine the location and quantity of
attachment points. |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Good support if worth it. |
Next, we mounted the rail to the feet... These are Unirac SolarMount
Standard rails. Unirac also makes light rail and HD Rail. There are also
several other rail/racking companies that also make excellent products. Most
have code compliant installation and design guides that make it easier to
figure what you need. |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
The Good Stuff |
Then, we mount the inverters to the rails. This is the standard method. I
also like to mount all the inverters at the bottom (or other logical point
for easy troubleshooting). |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Almost there. |
First four PV Modules in Place |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Details |
Second four!, Keep on truckin'... |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Details |
Last Four! |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
More Details |
Connect the 240VAC from the Lockable Disconnect and 15A breaker in the
customer's circuit breaker box to the first Enphase Inverter via the Enphase
AC Kit.
I like to use this newly discovered SolaDeck Junction Box. It
looks just like a vent, but has room for a few DIN RAIL Breakers or in this
case, some terminals.
(P.S. I forgot to photograph that disconnect!) |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Details |
Tada! All mounted and wired!! |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Details |
Next, connect the Enphase Envoy, a data collection tool. This box
communicates to all the inverters via the power-cord between the Envoy and
the inverters. It collects energy harvest data as well as diagnostic
information. This Envoy is the new oval shaped plastic box. The old unit was
built like a tank (pictured as well...) |
 
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Details |
Finally, the best part. Envoy also talks to the Enlighten website (for a
small annual fee). This software will display energy harvest over time for
each inverter, has cool movies of the days sun path and will alert you when
it knows something is not right (or thinks so based on the data trends).
You can also share the web link with your friends or check up on your
system while at work, errr, I mean not at home! |
Click Image to Enlarge |
|
