Swapping micro inverters - how hard?

[ButchDeal]

If true, I've learned a couple of things. One about compatibility, and two, about the perhaps hidden costs of what looks like, to my ignorant way of seeing it, like avoidable built in obsolescence.

Butch: While you're providing what looks to me to be informed, and at least IMO anyway, usually helpful information, why not avoid even the appearance of peddling what you perceive as the benefits of your product at what looks, to me anyway, every possible opportunity, why not also inform those who may be in need of such helpful information of your perhaps ulterior motives as one who looks to have a fair amount of skin in the game as a vendor/supplier of SolarEdge equipment. Not for me to say - it ain't my game to run/not my venue, but it's pretty obvious, to me anyway, what you're doing, has been for a long time, and to me anyway, it's getting old. Take it for what it's worth.

Meant respectfully and straight,

J.P.M.

Absolutly. I do not sell solaredge and did not intend to imply that it needed to be swapped out, just that might be why the installer is suggesting it. It would give little benefit other than monitoring, to be clear and again does not have to be done at all.

[J.P.M.]

Most likely for compatibility with the new IQ line. It doesn't have to be done but then it would be two independent systems, or it could be done at it would be a single system.

Another option with similar labor costs would be to switch out to SolarEdge which could be beneficial if OP wanted EV charger or backup.

If true, I've learned a couple of things. One about compatibility, and two, about the perhaps hidden costs of what looks like, to my ignorant way of seeing it, like avoidable built in obsolescence.

Butch: While you're providing what looks to me to be informed, and at least IMO anyway, usually helpful information, why not avoid even the appearance of peddling what you perceive as the benefits of your product at what looks, to me anyway, every possible opportunity, why not also inform those who may be in need of such helpful information of your perhaps ulterior motives as one who looks to have a fair amount of skin in the game as a vendor/supplier of SolarEdge equipment. Not for me to say - it ain't my game to run/not my venue, but it's pretty obvious, to me anyway, what you're doing, has been for a long time, and to me anyway, it's getting old. Take it for what it's worth.

Meant respectfully and straight,

J.P.M.

[ButchDeal]

If something isn't broke, why fix it ?

Most likely for compatibility with the new IQ line. It doesn't have to be done but then it would be two independent systems, or it could be done at it would be a single system.

Another option with similar labor costs would be to switch out to SolarEdge which could be beneficial if OP wanted EV charger or backup.

[J.P.M.]

If something isn't broke, why fix it ? Do you change out your HVAC equipment because some peddler pushes something that's new but essentially identical to what you have ? More efficient my butthole. If you do generate any additional output by the swapout at all, it'll be minimal and besides, you'll never have any way of knowing how much, if any, performance improves. If the current micros have been OK for +6 years, I might buy a few as spares now against a future time when they won't be the same model or unavailable at all and you experience a failure, but that's insurance, not waste. I'd change out the micros when they fail, but not before.

Being a bit proactive is smart, but, IMO only, that bus left when you got micros in the first place. So be it. Opinions vary. Still, spending $$ and not getting anything like a reasonable improvement in reliability and/or performance with little to no financial gain that can't be measured anyway is not (smart).

I'm not a fan of micros, mostly because IMO, and for a lot of reasons, they're a bad idea, and as you note and are finally finding out, a PITA to get at if the usual poorly planned for access is considered.

To those considering micro equipped arrays or those systems with optimizers that will, at some point need access - and don't kid B.S. yourself - just like access to your shower/tub plumbing, some day it will be required: Take a lesson and think a bit when planning a layout. How will you get access to all the panels that will, one day, sooner or later, need it ?

Desmo: Do not walk ever on the panels any more than you'd walk on a flat, horizontal single pane window. First there's the safety issue. On top of that, panels are not meant to be walked on or carry a dead weight. Safety aside (but only for a moment), PV cells/panels can be damaged by the stress of the dead weight placed upon them and performance can suffer maybe to the point of panel electrical failure when the cells crack. A self inflicted pyrrhic victory. Not a smart move. You will also perhaps void any warranty by such abuse.

Whatever you do, if you were required to notify them/get their approval for the original installation, don't forget to tell the POCO and probably the AHJ what you're planning to do now, before you do it. For a lot of reasons, they'll want to know. Besides, not notifying them before hand if additional review/approval is required may get your tit in the ringer - and note: Yours, not some peddler's. If such notification is not required, a phone call or two is cheap insurance against the consequences of trying to skunk one by them if review/approval is required.

Take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.

[desmo907]

I am thinking of adding to my roof (flat) solar system (5.25kW). The vendor wants to add another 6 panels near my current 21 panels (3 rows of 7) but not append them as they will not look the same (my system if 6 years old). He will use another model panels that look similar.

He also recommended swapping out my (21) Enphase M215 micro inverters with a newer model (more efficient). So there is extra cost to remove my current panels and swap the inverters. I read and saw some videos and the swapping looks pretty simple. I think i can do it myself (if i can buy the micro inverters) but wanted advice on how to do it since I have 3 rows of 7 panels on my garage roof. The pitch is not bad but I assume I have to remove ALL the panels first to get at the inverters. Thus lower each to ground, etc. I am guessing i cannot walk on the panels to access those inner ones
I also wonder if it is worth the cost/effort to swap.... they have been running fine for 6 years now.
Thx!