Enphase Software Question for Homeowner

[logdin]

People use microinverters because they have shade issue. If no shading and still choose microinverter mean your like the per panel monitoring. Why not pay for it? If the money isn't worth of spending, why choose microinverter? A string inverter setup will be much cheaper.

I have some shading issues. I wanted per panel monitoring. It was one of the reasons I chose Enphase. If a future Enphase owner doesn't see a need for it, then dont buy it, even if you have shading issues. The OP asked was it worth it. I'm providing why its worth it to me.

I dont think you will get per panel monitoring whether it be an android app, and iphone app, or on the myenlighten site without purchasing it, unless perhaps your reseller is throwing it in unbeknownst to you, or you got your system before 2014. Many of us that got our systems before 2014 automatically got per panel monitoring, so if you are in that camp like I am, we have access to that data either via API's or Enlighten Manager. I do not see per panel monitoring on the MyEnlighten site, but I do via Enlighten Manager. I'm a a trust but verify kinda guy. Without this, there is really not a way to accurately verify.

I'm sure the OP can opt not to purchase it now, but buy it later if he really wants it. There's no right or wrong answer. Only the OP knows what's important to him.

[sdold]

Well, if you want to see watts per hour, no software is going to give you that at any price.

[sdold]

If the money isn't worth of spending, why choose microinverter? A string inverter setup will be much cheaper.

Some people just like the concept. I was one of those, but now I'm on the fence about it. I thought it was good that there was no full time high voltage DC on the roof, that I wouldn't be up a creek in ten years if a panel crapped out and one with comparable specs wasn't available, and the wiring was simple, which I liked as a self-installer. I think the AC wiring is less prone to fire, but don't have anything to back that up, just an assumption. They were only about $115 apiece plus $25 per for the trunk cable. I don't know if I'd choose them again, but shading is not the only reason people buy them.

[logdin]

Some people just like the concept. I was one of those, but now I'm on the fence about it. I thought it was good that there was no full time high voltage DC on the roof, that I wouldn't be up a creek in ten years if a panel crapped out and one with comparable specs wasn't available, and the wiring was simple, which I liked as a self-installer. I think the AC wiring is less prone to fire, but don't have anything to back that up, just an assumption. They were only about $115 apiece plus $25 per for the trunk cable. I don't know if I'd choose them again, but shading is not the only reason people buy them.

Here's what I get at end of day. Today was a bad day. But none the less, it shows todays outputs. I can also see production values every 5 minutes. Will try to generate a "movie" that shows production throughout the day.


Screen Shot 2015-04-25 at 9.10.02 PM.jpg

[Samsolar]

If you do a self install, Enlighten Manager with panel level monitoring is no additional charge. Just a side benefit to DIY. I doubt an installer would agree to an Envoy self install (buy on EBay for $350 or so) with them doing the rest of the work, but as they say, it never hurts to ask!

[silversaver]

Some people just like the concept. I was one of those, but now I'm on the fence about it. I thought it was good that there was no full time high voltage DC on the roof, that I wouldn't be up a creek in ten years if a panel crapped out and one with comparable specs wasn't available, and the wiring was simple, which I liked as a self-installer. I think the AC wiring is less prone to fire, but don't have anything to back that up, just an assumption. They were only about $115 apiece plus $25 per for the trunk cable. I don't know if I'd choose them again, but shading is not the only reason people buy them.

Lets say Enphase files BK now, do you really think you will find a brand new microinverter 10 yrs from now? If you sizing the wiring correctly, there isn't any concern about the voltage when they are in sealed conduits.

Yes, if one of the panel goes bad then it is PITA to find it.

[Samsolar]

Lets say Enphase files BK now, do you really think you will find a brand new microinverter 10 yrs from now? If you sizing the wiring correctly, there isn't any concern about the voltage when they are in sealed conduits.

Yes, if one of the panel goes bad then it is PITA to find it.

If an inverter craps out in 10 years, I might just leave it there because the rest of my system will be cranking along without any issues. When people weight the pros and cons of string vs micro, the do nothing option withs micros doesn't get mentioned much. With a traditional string setup, one bad panel or inverter has a much larger and immediate effect on the system as a whole.

On a side note, I bought an extra micro inverter when I ordered my system. My logic was, if I did have one go bad, I'd have a spare available immediately and replacing the bad one would only involve one trip up on the roof.

[silversaver]

If an inverter craps out in 10 years, I might just leave it there because the rest of my system will be cranking along without any issues. When people weight the pros and cons of string vs micro, the do nothing option withs micros doesn't get mentioned much. With a traditional string setup, one bad panel or inverter has a much larger and immediate effect on the system as a whole.

On a side note, I bought an extra micro inverter when I ordered my system. My logic was, if I did have one go bad, I'd have a spare available immediately and replacing the bad one would only involve one trip up on the roof.

That's a really good thinking by leaving an extra spare. I did save one extra panel just because Bosch went out of business and I prefer same look with other panels.

The chance of panel fail vs microinverter..... I'm sure you might have higher chance visiting your roof than I with string inverter. Panels are hardly fail, but inverters do..... I'm in CA, SMA inverter replacement is within 3 days. If SMA outta business, it isn't hard to find an 3rd party inverter.

[SleepingDragon]

I paid for the per panel monitoring. Only really used it during the first week to verify and made sure all panels performing to my expectations. If I didn't upgrade, I would not have caught a shading issue. Now I only use an android app/widget called solar tracker. All the info I need at my fingertips....

Btw, the upgraded monitoring we can get the 30% tax credit?

[Samsolar]

I paid for the per panel monitoring. Only really used it during the first week to verify and made sure all panels performing to my expectations. If I didn't upgrade, I would not have caught a shading issue. Now I only use an android app/widget called solar tracker. All the info I need at my fingertips....

Btw, the upgraded monitoring we can get the 30% tax credit?

I had no idea this was available. I guess the key is it is a widget and not an App, so it doesn't show up when I do searches under apps. Thanks for sharing.

SAM

[sdold]

Lets say Enphase files BK now, do you really think you will find a brand new microinverter 10 yrs from now?.

Yes, but it might not be Enphase. I'm betting there will be at least one other manufacturer out there.

[logdin]

Here's what I get at end of day. Today was a bad day. But none the less, it shows todays outputs. I can also see production values every 5 minutes. Will try to generate a "movie" that shows production throughout the day.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]6442[/ATTACH]

Here's the movie version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW0mR92fWic&feature=youtu.be

[sdold]

You might need to make the video "public".

[logdin]

You might need to make the video "public".

See if that works now. Thanks. First time putting something on youtube.

[sdold]

It works! It doesn't look like you have shading problems, did you use microinverters for the per-panel data?

Here's mine showing my chimney blocking panels in the morning, and a tree blocking them in the afternoon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h77H-ZanJyU