Solar Goes High-Tech-Cool!

Enphase Energy announced that it has raised $15 million to ramp up production of its microinverters, a design that they claim significantly boosts the power output and reliability of solar panels.

Enphase Energy has designed a Micro-Inverter for residential and commercial applications. A DC to AC inverter for each module? Solar panels are already way too expensive, so what is the benefit to having an individual inverter?

As it turns out, I see a HUGE benefit to this technology. Number one is Shading! It is amazing to watch an array of panels be brought to its knees by a simple tree branch shading one corner of a single panel. Partial shading of even one cell will reduce its power output. Because all cells are connected in a series string, the weakest cell will bring the others down to its reduced power level. With the Enphase Energy Micro-Inverter, only the panel that is shaded is affected.

Now here is where the cool comes in. If you are like I am, “Love the techy stuff,” you are going to love the advanced analytics and visualization software that comes with the inverters.

The Enphase EMU (Energy Management Unit) is a communications gateway that enables the Micro-inverter to convey performance information of every module to the Enlighten™ website.

The EMU can be plugged into any standard AC outlet. Enphase Micro-inverters convey performance information over the existing power line. No additional wiring is required.

Installation is as simple as plugging the Ethernet cable of the EMU into your broadband router. Performance data is now transmitted using broadband Ethernet protocols for immediate access to performance information.

The Enphase EMU works in conjunction with the Enphase Micro-inverter and the Enlighten website

But with all the bells and whistles it still boils down to efficiency. There have been “Micro-Inverters” in the past that have not lived up to their specifications.

Enphase Energy states that they have been able to improve the DC-to-AC conversion efficiency to around 95 percent, on par with centralized inverters.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites