Solar Edge Vs Enphase Power optimizers

[solarix]

I think I was the first to use SolarEdge in Arizona because I loved their system architecture, but was rewarded with a lot of failures ranging from exploded inverters to plenty of failed optimizers on their early design. When I discovered the plastic used on the optimizer MC4 connectors literally disintegrating even when not exposed to direct sunlight, I pulled the plug. I have used a them a couple times since they redesigned everything and so far so good on those, but lost a lot of faith in that company and know they had a big shakeup and lost a lot of people. Now that we have string inverters with dual MPPT inputs, a lot of the reasons for using a distributed design go away but when the rooftop shutdown code goes into effect, they will be hard to beat.

[Naptown]

What was the failure rate on
Enphase or solar edge

[solarix]

I'm with Naptown. Unless you have a serious shading problem, the risk of reliability problems with roof mounted electronics is not worth it. I've always mistrusted Enphase and SolarEdge really burned me when I put in a lot of the early ones and had a huge (30%) failure rate. The redesigned version has been good (so far).
I just don't think there is any way a startup company can get the design of something like an inverter long term reliable right away.

[Naptown]

Here is my thoughts on this debate

You buy Enphase or optimizer and a component fails.
Now it is 15 years down the road and all your panels are fine but you have a micro or optomizer that has gone bad
and the manufacturer is no longer around.
Well the reality is that those systems contain a lot of proprietary components that will probably not be available or technology has surpassed them and have been replaced.
If there is no need for micro or optomizers I vote for a straight string inverter. If my 7.6 Fromius dies and they are no longer available any 7.6 will work. String inverters are generic and will work with just about any configuration.
I will not use Enphase. Burned too many times.
Solar edge has not been a problem but time will tell
If there are no shading issues then you are wasting your money and creating a potentially bigger problem in the future.
The only advantages these type of systems offer is increased production in partially shaded situations and a perhaps better monitoring. ( you will know which micro failed that is no longer available)

[sdold]

I go back and forth on this, Today I'm pro-enphase because:

1. I can't find any evidence that the M215 or M250 is less reliable than the optimizer, so I assume they are about the same. I'm interested in any data available if anyone knows of any, since I and several friends have M215 systems.

2. If Solar Edge and Enphase are gone in ten years (or two ), I'm betting it will be a lot easier to get some other brand of microinverter than a replacement Solaredge optimizer.

3. I like the simple wiring of an Enphase system.

4. I forgot what number 4 was. Oh, it was that if I have the choice of a device under every panel PLUS a big thing on the side of the house, or just a device under every panel, I'd go with the latter. I know Microinverters have more parts and maybe electrolytic caps, but unless I see failure rate numbers, it's all arm-waving to me.

I might change my mind tomorrow though.

[Naptown]

Read the warranty documents on both the Enphase and solar edge.
Enphase paid for labor on the M 190 but stopped when the 215 came out.
We have had many many failures on the 190 not sure on the 215 and 250.
0 failures so far on any solar edge.

My biggest fear with enphase is the company has failed to make a profit in its entire life.

Solar edge is now publicly traded so I would take a look at their financials too

[kinetoplast1973]

Would like to hear some good opinions about invertors?

Solar Edge-
Pros:
Cost:
Durability: (no scientific data to back it up; some post(s) saying there are no failures reported)

Cons-
If any, Would like to hear them.....

Enphase:

Pros:
New and Better technology (not sure...)
Modular (adding panels is relatively easy) Is it really?

Cons:
Cost (more expensive) Is it worth additional cost?

Reliability (high failure rates for first generation). The first generation really seems to have soured people's opinion about MI. If MI fail at year 15, would the warranty not cover it? We might even have series XX (even better technology) by that time. I have been told that warranty covers replacement cost.

Finally, Is there any consensus in the community about which invertor (EN vs optimizer) to choose based on a particular situation? or we let our installer decide based on his experience about the choice of invertor.