I just had a 8KW system installed by an installer. Now I don't trust them...

[derekc]

I just re-read this. If you install toroids on the offending circuits (not the circuit the Envoy is on), it has nothing to do with the Envoy or inverters, and I have no idea how your warranty would be affected.

Agree.

[derekc]

The reason to go with a company with a good reputation and qualified workers - not the new guy nor the low bid!

That I could not agree more.
Or make sure they are local, not 30 some miles away and hour and half commute each way in the rush hrs.

[sdold]

I know about installing ferrite tororids (Epcos B64290L82x87) to eliminate noise on each circuit. I am ready to do it myself but if I do, then they will say I am messing it up.

I just re-read this. If you install toroids on the offending circuits (not the circuit the Envoy is on), it has nothing to do with the Envoy or inverters, and I have no idea how your warranty would be affected.

[russ]

The reason to go with a company with a good reputation and qualified workers - not the new guy nor the low bid!

[derekc]

A mechanic helps you to put a new engine in your car. When he says he is done, he shows you the new engine working but the speedometer is not working. He insists there is nothing he can do and wants full payment. Do you pay? Then you later read up and learn that it might be just a cable loose, do you fix it yourself or keep calling him to ask him to fix it (while you are looking right at the loose cable)? Or fix it yourself and dispute the charge and deduct the money for the time you spent doing his job and possible a value for warranty?

[control4userguy]

OP-You don't need a "slot". Just sneak it in under the existing breaker heading up to the roof. Also, if you already know what circuit is causing the interference, why not tackle that first? I guess I don't get this argument...

[sdold]

That was the installer's job, wasn't it.

I think it's his job to get over there and try to make it work, but if you have devices on the network that are interfering with the Envoy, I don't think it's all on him.

This sounds a lot like ordering satellite TV, and then after the install you find out that there is interference to the dish from something (like your ham radio) and it's unusable. It's not the installer's fault, but he needs to at least come over and see if he can do anything and apply any manufacturer's interference mitigation tricks that he might be aware of (like Enphase's toroids). After a reasonable effort, it seems like the installer would have two options, remove the system and back out of the deal, or go to extra measures to fix the problem. I have a hard time expecting him to spend a lot of time at his own expense. But he should at least come over and make a good faith effort, and your installer should do the same. But I wouldn't feel bad if, in the end, he tried his best and I ended up having to spend some of my own time and money to fix it.

[derekc]

The basic principle you need to follow is to keep the Envoy on the same branch circuit as the micros and keep that branch circuit as isolated as possible (at RF frequencies) from all of the rest of your wiring, in particular the noise generating loads.
If that means connecting the Envoy at the panel or subpanel where the AC backfeeds, or even connecting it to the inverter output circuit itself, then do that.

Yes, I figured that out after reading the troubleshooting guide. The problem is the subpanel has no slot for more breaker. Now I could only isolate the interfering circuit, if I can find it, by a ferrite toroid or just put one on each other circuit. That was the installer's job, wasn't it.

[inetdog]

Got it. The communication between micro inverters and Envoy through AC wiring that was giving bad signal.

Try to relocate Envoy closer to your service panel or Install a dedicated outlet for the Envoy. (subpanel for you solar circuit)

The basic principle you need to follow is to keep the Envoy on the same branch circuit as the micros and keep that branch circuit as isolated as possible (at RF frequencies) from all of the rest of your wiring, in particular the noise generating loads.
If that means connecting the Envoy at the panel or subpanel where the AC backfeeds, or even connecting it to the inverter output circuit itself, then do that.

[silversaver]

Again, Internet access of the Envoy is not a problem. The problem is powerline communication to the micro inverters. Even if I have to move the envoy to another corner of the house, I have access points (wifi and ethernet) around the house, so Internet access will not be a problem. Thank you for you concern on that part thou.

Got it. The communication between micro inverters and Envoy through AC wiring that was giving bad signal.

Try to relocate Envoy closer to your service panel or Install a dedicated outlet for the Envoy. (subpanel for you solar circuit)

[derekc]

I think you are not getting a straight answer to this question because there isn't one. Some solar equipment companies have relationships with installers that offer different terms than what are available to the general public. Your best bet would probably be to seek support from a different solar installer should a warranty issue arise. The enphase warranty terms do not necessarily cover the labor involved in equipment replacement, so you might expect to spend some money should that be necessary. Their BBB page isn't particularly encouraging. Solarworld is not currently profitable so their long term warranty support could less than you'd like, but neither is Amazon, and no one is too worried about them disappearing.

I understand. I was hoping to put a value on the warranty portion of the whole deal so as to get this over with.

[sensij]

The question remains is will I get warranty from SolarWorld and Enphase for their parts? 25 years is long time. How do people handle warranty of their solar panel system if their installer has gone out of business?

I think you are not getting a straight answer to this question because there isn't one. Some solar equipment companies have relationships with installers that offer different terms than what are available to the general public. Your best bet would probably be to seek support from a different solar installer should a warranty issue arise. The enphase warranty terms do not necessarily cover the labor involved in equipment replacement, so you might expect to spend some money should that be necessary. Their BBB page isn't particularly encouraging. Solarworld is not currently profitable so their long term warranty support could less than you'd like, but neither is Amazon, and no one is too worried about them disappearing.

[slopoke]

If the installer is out of the business, you can find a 3rd to handle warranty issue for you.

First, I felt the installer sux that they are not helping you. Soon I realize the problem might not be just the installer. Look, if your method of communication between Envoy to your router has problem by using the powerline communication bridge, then change to other method! The best is CAT5 cable, but I am sure you don't like how it looks putting long cable from Envoy to the router and who knows how far apart, then go with Zigbee WiFi. You said you are a network engineer and how difficult this would be for you?

The microinverters communicate to the Envoy unit via the household wiring not wifi. The Envoy unit uses a hardwire network cable. My unit is in my garage hooked to an access point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-line_communication

[derekc]

If the installer is out of the business, you can find a 3rd to handle warranty issue for you.

First, I felt the installer sux that they are not helping you. Soon I realize the problem might not be just the installer. Look, if your method of communication between Envoy to your router has problem by using the powerline communication bridge, then change to other method! The best is CAT5 cable, but I am sure you don't like how it looks putting long cable from Envoy to the router and who knows how far apart, then go with Zigbee WiFi. You said you are a network engineer and how difficult this would be for you?

Again, Internet access of the Envoy is not a problem. The problem is powerline communication to the micro inverters. Even if I have to move the envoy to another corner of the house, I have access points (wifi and ethernet) around the house, so Internet access will not be a problem. Thank you for you concern on that part thou.

[silversaver]

If the installer is out of the business, you can find a 3rd to handle warranty issue for you.

First, I felt the installer sux that they are not helping you. Soon I realize the problem might not be just the installer. Look, if your method of communication between Envoy to your router has problem by using the powerline communication bridge, then change to other method! The best is CAT5 cable, but I am sure you don't like how it looks putting long cable from Envoy to the router and who knows how far apart, then go with Zigbee WiFi. You said you are a network engineer and how difficult this would be for you?