Enphase Software Question for Homeowner

[rwb1921]

Is it worth it to pay $249 for the Enphase software that will give you data for each panel (they say it is for the installer primarily) vs the free software they supply that give only the system performance. It looks like the free software would be okay except that you can not break down what each panel is doing. What is the general consensus?

Thanks.

[sdold]

You're not really getting software, you're getting access to data on their web site.

I don't think it is worth paying for. I have it, but I rarely use it, and if anyone would want something like that, it would be me, since I installed the system, am a technical person, like data, and want to learn as much about solar as I can. It was fun for about two weeks after I installed the system, watching animations as the day progressed, seeing the shadows as they passed over the panels.

Mainly I use the free MyEnlighten iphone app. I also have it on my android tablet. I notice that it gives per-panel energy (watt hours) during the day, which would be fine for troubleshooting a bad panel or inverter. So in a way, it is per-panel monitoring. For some reason, the web-based MyEnlighten on my desktop doesn't give me this info, or I just can't find it.

It ticks me off a little that non-installers have to pay for the Enlighten Manager, but in a way I can see why. There is a lot to it that would confuse and worry the non-technical person, and I can imagine how many tech support calls they must have had to deal with over non-issues.

Don't forget that you can log into the Envoy directly and look at the statuses and error messages to see if any inverters are acting up. You don't even need the internet for that. Matter of fact in the US you may not even need an Envoy if you don't need monitoring of any kind.

I think after a while, it's about as much fun as monitoring the temp of the water in the hot water heater. After all solar power is an appliance, not a hobby or a lifestyle.

I think it's really $174 after the federal tax credit, if that helps

[russ]

What is the general consensus?

Thanks.

If you want to have a "you show me yours and I'll show you mine" party it is useful - otherwise it is money wasted.

[rwb1921]

You're not really getting software, you're getting access to data on their web site.

I don't think it is worth paying for. I have it, but I rarely use it, and if anyone would want something like that, it would be me, since I installed the system, am a technical person, like data, and want to learn as much about solar as I can. It was fun for about two weeks after I installed the system, watching animations as the day progressed, seeing the shadows as they passed over the panels.

Mainly I use the free MyEnlighten iphone app. I also have it on my android tablet. I notice that it gives per-panel energy (watt hours) during the day, which would be fine for troubleshooting a bad panel or inverter. So in a way, it is per-panel monitoring. For some reason, the web-based MyEnlighten on my desktop doesn't give me this info, or I just can't find it.

It ticks me off a little that non-installers have to pay for the Enlighten Manager, but in a way I can see why. There is a lot to it that would confuse and worry the non-technical person, and I can imagine how many tech support calls they must have had to deal with over non-issues.

Don't forget that you can log into the Envoy directly and look at the statuses and error messages to see if any inverters are acting up. You don't even need the internet for that. Matter of fact in the US you may not even need an Envoy if you don't need monitoring of any kind.

I think after a while, it's about as much fun as monitoring the temp of the water in the hot water heater. After all solar power is an appliance, not a hobby or a lifestyle.

I think it's really $174 after the federal tax credit, if that helps

Thanks for your opinion. I am sort of like you, interested in Solar and technology. So it really sounds like something I would look at like you said for the first couple of months then not look at it. Do you know if the iPhone app for the regular app for anyone shows the per panel info? You implied it does. So that would be a way if really wanted to look at that data I could?

Thanks again for your comments. They are very useful.

[rwb1921]

If you want to have a "you show me yours and I'll show you mine" party it is useful - otherwise it is money wasted.

Thanks Russ for your opinion. It helps me decide that maybe not the best use of money.

[logdin]

Thanks Russ for your opinion. It helps me decide that maybe not the best use of money.

I have it. I rarely use the englighten manager site for monitoring my production. However, I do look a few times a month just to see what my panels/inverters are doing. I have a few that under produce due to shade. The per panel monitoring helps me decide if its worth moving or not. I use PVOutput for my daily monitoring requirements.

The other thing is you are counting on Enphase or your installer to tell you your system is not producing, or you have a bad panel or inverter. I can tell you it rarely happens. I know of 3 folks who either have inverter/panel failures, or their entire system stops generating. One guy didnt produce a lick for 3 weeks and was never notified by the installer or enphase. Turned out someone turned off his solar breaker.

So.... If you do not want to be at the mercy of Enphase or installer notifying you of under performing panels, or inverter problems, get it. If you get 20 years out of your system, its under a buck a month after FTC.

Thats how I justified it.

[rwb1921]

I have it. I rarely use the englighten manager site for monitoring my production. However, I do look a few times a month just to see what my panels/inverters are doing. I have a few that under produce due to shade. The per panel monitoring helps me decide if its worth moving or not. I use PVOutput for my daily monitoring requirements.

The other thing is you are counting on Enphase or your installer to tell you your system is not producing, or you have a bad panel or inverter. I can tell you it rarely happens. I know of 3 folks who either have inverter/panel failures, or their entire system stops generating. One guy didnt produce a lick for 3 weeks and was never notified by the installer or enphase. Turned out someone turned off his solar breaker.

So.... If you do not want to be at the mercy of Enphase or installer notifying you of under performing panels, or inverter problems, get it. If you get 20 years out of your system, its under a buck a month after FTC.

Thats how I justified it.

Thanks, I am assuming that the free option would tell me if system is not performing or down also, correct?

[Alisobob]

solar82.JPG

This is the little Envoy unit... see the lower right , where it says "24"?

I have 24 inverters, and "24" shows 24 are online, and reporting.

Good enough for me....

[Alisobob]

Thanks, I am assuming that the free option would tell me if system is not performing or down also, correct?

solar55.JPG

This is a monthly report, provided in the basic service.

You get "peak" power for the week, and weekly / monthly totals.

You will know if something is going sideways....

[Bostonfan49]

Emphases Software Question for Homeowner

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6438[/ATTACH]

This is the little Envoy unit... see the lower right , where it says "24"?

I have 24 inverters, and "24" shows 24 are online, and reporting.

Good enough for me....

As Alisobob stated above, ( If you have the Monitoring option) there is also the little "Green checked box" to the left of the word TODAY above the Total Energy amount on the MyEnlighten screen...Green means all panels working...( with no power variations) a Red box indicates a problem. My understanding is that as soon as the Red box appears, My Solar outfit who monitors their installs, knows about my potential problem, probably before I do....As far as the reporting system, at least for the first 24 months, I think the day by day blow is a fascinating learning process to observe, and then to compare year 2 to year 1 on a monthly basis....after that I probably become a casual online observer.

Thanks, Bill

[Alisobob]

As Alisobob stated above, ( If you have the Monitoring option) there is also the little "Green checked box" to the left of the word TODAY above the Total Energy amount on the MyEnlighten screen...Green means all panels working...( with no power variations) a Red box indicates a problem.

And if you click on the Green Check.... you get this...

solar83.JPG

[rwb1921]

And if you click on the Green Check.... you get this...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6440[/ATTACH]

Thanks Alisobob,

So at least you can tell then the system is working on a daily basis. That is good to know. Thanks for the pictures. Then I see no real need for the extra data if I can get through the free version and the iPhone.

This helps and will save me money. Looks I will be going through with system. I have until Monday to back out if I wanted to. I think most of my questions have been answered.

[logdin]

And if you click on the Green Check.... you get this...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6440[/ATTACH]

I'm sure the OP is satisfied with everyones comments. If anyone has myenlighten only, and can see the wattage per panel per hour/day please advise. For me, i want to know daily/hourly output per panel and compare it to the other panels. I believe what everyone is saying is good enough for them is the fact that panels are generating and the inverter is reporting. Thats not good enough for me. If a panel is under performing, or some cells have gone bad, I dont think you will capture that.

As I said, to me its worth a $1/month to have complete visibility.

--kevin

[sdold]

I'm sure the OP is satisfied with everyones comments. If anyone has myenlighten only, and can see the wattage per panel per hour/day please advise.

I can see wattage X time for each panel per day on my iphone and my Android using MyEnlighten only. I assume this is what you want.

I believe anyone who doesn't have Enlighten Manager can still see this with MyEnlighten running on either of those devices. Can anyone else confirm?

The only thing I can't see with MyEnlighten on those two devices is wattage.

[silversaver]

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.