Why I choose Enphase Microinverters over a String Inverter
I am going to share why I choose to install 27 microinverters over one single-string inverter on my solar system. Welcome back! If you just discovered my channel – WELCOME! I’m Justin and in this video, I want to go over several reasons I choose microinverters over string inverters. You may be surprised to learn that apples-to-apples Microinverters are cheaper to install than a single inverter. I will explain what no one else is talking about. Stick with me for a couple of minutes to learn more. Let’s get started!
Depending on your level of understanding about Solar systems on how they work you may be asking yourself. What is the difference between a string inverter and a microinverter?
What is a string (central) inverter?
A string inverter is usually installed as a single inverter that converts the DC coming from your solar panels to A/C within one centralized inverter. Depending on the size of your total solar system you may even have two or three. However, a typical residential system only has one or two.
What are microinverters?
Microinverters are installed at the panel level. Depending on the number of solar panels you have on your solar system will determine the number of microinverters that will be installed with your system. Each solar panel is paired with its own microinverter. On my system, I have 27 solar panels meaning that I have 27 microinverters.
There is a general misconception that string inverters are cheaper to install than micro inverters. That is simply not true. Especially if obtaining detailed reporting is important to you. To obtain similar reporting from a string inverter as you get with microinverters you would need to buy additional optimizers to pair with your centralized inverter. Significantly increasing the cost.
I will talk more about other expenses that come with string inverters vs micro inverters a little later. Things that almost no one is talking about.
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I choose to go with Microinverters for several reasons.
#1. Enphase offers a 25yr warranty on their microinverters vs 10 yr warranty on most high-quality string inverters
#2. Reporting. It is important to me to be able to monitor my system in real-time and down to the panel level. This can not be achieved with a string inverter without adding optimizers.
#3. Believe it or not, it was significantly cheaper to build my system using microinverters than it would have been using a Sol-Ark string inverter. Especially if I have to buy those additional optimizers.
#4. Because the DC current is being converted at the panel I did not have to use EMT. As a DIY’er I do not have the tools to make the bends that might have been required on that EMT. I also have experience working with Schedule 80 and Schedule 40 PVC. It would have been a larger learning curve to install the EMT. In other words, it made my installation easier going with microinverters.
#5. I did not want a central point of failure. This may be a pro to some but to me, it is a definite negative. If I use a string inverter and that inverter fails after 10yrs I will need to come up with several thousands of dollars to get it replaced. If a microinverter fails (after 25 yrs) I might be out 150-200.
#6. I felt more comfortable working at the panel level connecting 370w to a microinverter that helped protect me from electrical shock. When wiring a series on a string inverter you have an increased risk of electrical shock.
#7 I choose Enphase microinverters because of the quality of service that is provided by that company. During the pandemic, it was hard to find any company that would answer their phones and when they did, it felt like my business was not appreciated. Enphase seemed to take another approach, they stepped up their game and offered unmatched service. I really appreciated that and will always remember that. Thank you ENPHASE!
#8. Enphase offer free training to help understand how to properly install an Enphase Solar system. I actually become Certified as an Enphase Installer. It was very helpful in the overall process.
#9. Although shading is not an issue with my system location – but birds and their droppings are. If a bird targets my solar array and I can’t get it cleaned immediately it only affects the panels that got hit. It does not affect the entire series.
For those reasons, I choose to design my solar system using Enphase Microinverters. I have had several viewers comment on my other videos saying that microinverters cost so much more than string inverters. Microinverters are only a good choice if you have shading issues. I disagree, and as a matter of fact – shading was not an issue at all for me and I got them cheaper than a centralized inverter. I have a video in my solar playlist on exactly what I paid for all the items it took to build my system including the microinverters.
If have a solar system or are looking to build one soon, leave me a comment and let me know which type of system you have or are looking to build. Are you using Microinverters or a String Inverter? Which do you prefer and Why?
I hope you enjoyed and learned a little something from the video today. If you did please hammer home that little thumb button – it’s a kind way to help me grow this channel. Appreciate you all and don’t forget to check out my other videos if you enjoy talking and learning more about solar, as I do. I can’t wait to get to work on the next video, hopefully, I will see you there. Cheers.
I hope you enjoyed and learned a little something from the video today. If you did please hammer home that little thumb button – it’s a kind way to help me grow this channel. Appreciate you all and don’t forget to check out my other videos if you enjoy talking and learning more about solar, as I do. I can’t wait to get to work on the next video, hopefully, I will see you there. Cheers.
