LG 280 Watt and Enphase M215 make a great combination

[snic]

Thanks for posting, t58. I'm currently in contract for 16 LG 280s with M215s. Should be installed by early fall. I'm hoping the M250s become available before then, though, so we can substitute those. At $23 additional each, 55% subsidized by federal and state tax credits, it makes sense to spend the extra $165 - the real question is whether to wait to install if the M250s aren't available yet by the time everything else is ready.

[t5800512]

Today, I saw 5 of the micro inverters hit 225 watts. But no flat tops on the graphs. They get up to 225 watts and then head right back down.

I'm actually looking forward to some clipping. Right now my bell curves look more like spikes, very narrow and pointed on top. A little off the top would not amount to anything, but widening them would make a big difference.

I'm getting exactly what I had calculated: 280 Watts x .803 Derate factor = 224.84

[Ian S]

Will clip much more when the temperatures cool.

Yup, there will be a lot of sunny spring days when his power vs time of day curve will look like an Arizona mesa!

[bonaire]

A 72 cell module may have a too high Vmax. Also, 225W is the most they will do, so on cold spring or winter days, they will clip for quite some time mid-day with the larger modules. 280w modules would be better with one of the newer 250W micro inverters from enphase, PowerOne or SMA. You are already clipping now at 224W, really. Will clip much more when the temperatures cool.

[t5800512]

I have installed (14) LG 280 Watt and Enphase M215 and have been monitoring the system now for 2 weeks. I'm really pretty happy with the combination. On my highest production days, I have seen the micro inverters produce 224 watts of energy. So far, I have not hit or gone over the 225 Watt maximum that the M215 will produce. I don't know why they rate this micro inverter at 215 watts or why they say they are only good for 60 cell panels, which mine are.

I live in a Dallas suburb, and my roof is 16 degrees off of true south (asmith is actually 64 degrees). I used PVWatts to find the optimum fixed angle to achieve the highest yearly energy production. I have my panels mounted on my roof, and tilted up on the upper side to achieve the optimum 27 degrees angle to ground. I have been tempted to flatten them out some to see if I can see the 225 watts clipping, but it is just to hot.

Summer days here are over 100 degrees, sometimes for three months in a row. I have my panels raised to allow maximum air flow, but I can still a small drop in production on hot days.

According to PVWatts, July should be my highest production month. I have been told by forum members that I will see clipping in the spring. Maybe spring will produce more energy on clear days, but less overall because of more cloudy days. Time will tell.