Enphase Envoy-S Metered

[ltbighorn]

Consider asking for discounted labor since your installer hasn't done it before.

On the box I believe code is that it should be in one, I'd just get the Enphase box personally but it's up to you. If you're outside it's mandatory as the Envoy won't take much weather.

Thanks for the tips. CT runs should be easy since it'll be right next to the main panel. Yeah, my only real concern re: the box is whether the inspector is going to give issue if it's not there.

re: labor discount, I'll do that if they push for a by-the-hour labor approach, as it is all the electrical is included in the overall quote, but we'll see what they think after they've had more of a chance to look at it.

The Enphase box looks nice, just trying not to let all the add-ons (per-panel monitoring, Envoy-S Metered, CTs, box...) end up adding another year to the payback period. :P

[Engineer]

Focusing on paypack leads to funny situations IMO. It leads you to just look at raw system cost, not preferred usage/lifestyle. What I found is that the payback and cost/watt lessened the bigger system I got and the more electricity I used. Obviously it depends on your goals.

[ltbighorn]

Certainly true that the cost per watt and payback period is better for bigger users. It's easier to justify increases in wattage if I think I'll use it, but in a way we're just prepaying for our electricity at a rate that gets cheaper the longer we have our panels. If you know you'll be in your current home forever, well that's ideal, but if you want to to at least ensure you get your upfront investment back, then the payback period view is useful.

It gets a little harder to justify the cost increases when they're just to satisfy my endless data curiosity (consumption metering etc.), but that doesn't mean I won't do it. :P Ultimately I'm trying to achieve the lowest system cost that'll cover my real usage, but obviously that's subject to estimation and can change over time (and TOU schedules!).

edit: also having the Rainforest Eagle as a similar if not identical alternative at a lower cost is incentive to keep the Envoy-S Metered/CT costs under control. but I think it's worth a bit of a premium.