LG 280 Watt and Enphase M215 make a great combination

[riegermortis]

I cant send a pm until i get to 10 posts.

[t5800512]

Hey T58,

I see you installed this yourself. Where did you purchase the panels and inverters from? I live about an hour south of you, and was wondering if you went through someone local.

No, I did not find a local distributor. I make up a complete parts list right down to the last nut and bold. I then sent out about a dozen or so Requests For Quotes to the online stores. I chose the best three quotes and send them a Best and Final request. I ended up purchasing from Civic Solar. I believe they are in San Francisco.

You can PM me your email address, and I will forward you an email I put together for another forum me.

[riegermortis]

Just when I don't think it possible, my system breaks another new record. Today was a 23.5 kWh day. My system's M215 inverters were pegged at 255 kWh's for about 3 1/2 hours. My system can't produce more power because the microinverters are clipping, but the number of hours once again got longer, raising the total again. Now I wonder what surprises spring holds in store.

Hey T58,

I see you installed this yourself. Where did you purchase the panels and inverters from? I live about an hour south of you, and was wondering if you went through someone local.

[t5800512]

Just when I don't think it possible, my system breaks another new record. Today was a 23.5 kWh day. My system's M215 inverters were pegged at 255 kWh's for about 3 1/2 hours. My system can't produce more power because the microinverters are clipping, but the number of hours once again got longer, raising the total again. Now I wonder what surprises spring holds in store.

[Naptown]

They were the last ones to be installed.
They had installed the other 108 and tested them all
I guess they figured the rest were ok too

[inetdog]

These were the last 16to go up and although the guys were told to test each panel individually they didn't and just put them up.

Trying to get home on time?

[Naptown]

Bad connection in the panel junction box in this case.
We had 6 in that shipment that were bad.
These were the last 16to go up and although the guys were told to test each panel individually they didn't and just put them up.
The others were tested before or ground mounted where it is easy to find the fault

[dirtysanchez]

The biggest advantage is in trouble shooting. Micros will lead you to the exact problem and location.
I had an issue with a panel on a string inverter and had to take 1/2 the array apart to find it.
On a steep metal roof it was not fun and took up the better part of a day.

How often do you get to service a location with a bad panel. Was this a mechanical failure ( critters ) ? or something was internally bad .

[Naptown]

I think the biggest thing about the microinverters in a no shade problem location is the "I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours" factor.

Doesn't do anything other than cost more money it seems.

The biggest advantage is in trouble shooting. Micros will lead you to the exact problem and location.
I had an issue with a panel on a string inverter and had to take 1/2 the array apart to find it.
On a steep metal roof it was not fun and took up the better part of a day.

[russ]

I think the biggest thing about the microinverters in a no shade problem location is the "I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours" factor.

Doesn't do anything other than cost more money it seems.

[treepublican]

This makes me think that installing anything larger than 225Watt ( assuming enphase clips at 225) module with enphase 215 is a waste of money ?

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graph1.jpggraph2.jpg

If the prevailing conditions during the reading (represented by the top region of the bell curve) persisted all the time you'd be right.

[t5800512]

I believe enphase would win with their 96 percent efficiency. But there are more reasons to go with micro inverters. You just can't beat the monitoring ability. You can see the system as a whole, or drill down to see what each panel/inverter pair are doing. And if you should have trouble down the road, the microinverter could save you days of troubleshooting.

Obviously I'm very happy with my micro inverter setup. But you can save a few bucks with a central inverter. My thinking was to spend a few more dollars, and have no regrets later on.

[Cummins06TD]

Since this thread has gone into both forms of inverters I thought I'd ask this question, Has anyone ever put an identical array(panels) with Enphase micros next to an array with a single inverter. Such as the 280w LG panels. If no shade were present other than bypassing clouds which would out perform the other? T says he hasn't seen much clipping with his system which would be under producing nameplate ratings on the panels even if they all were clipping at the same time. But with a central inverter I have seen many people say they over produce on nameplate rating. So is the true and only advantage to Enphase for a tree/roof shaded array only or can it actually out produce a central inverter during the course of a day? I can't believe Enphase wouldn't try such a test(unless they have and they produced less) as a marketing tool to get even unshaded array business. Thanks in advance to anyone that answers that question. If it's already been discussed somewhere I apologize!

[dirtysanchez]

I would seriously question 25% over without knowing all the conditions that were present when it occurred.
And the output meters on inverters are not revenue grade by a long shot .

25% is way too high, I'm thinking something could be misscalculated by his inverter. I will get in touch with the owner since I see his email in the chain that was sent to me and hopefully get more details. I'm very intrigued.

[Naptown]

I would seriously question 25% over without knowing all the conditions that were present when it occurred.
And the output meters on inverters are not revenue grade by a long shot .