Help deciding between SMA, Enphase, or SolarEdge and online monitoring services

[dshenmdyn]

I am looking into putting a solar system and would appreciate inputs from the experts here.

1) Long term prospect for Enphase micro-inverter.
I understand its supposed benefits but can't find info on what will happen if one of the micro-inverters does fail many years down the road. Does one need to replace it with the same model at that time? What if the model has been discontinued and replaced with newer model? Is there any compatibility requirement such that all the micro-inverters in a system all have to be the same model or from the same manufacturer? What if Enphase goes bankrupt, can one mix and match to replace with an alternative micro-inverter from a different manufacturer?

2) Online monitoring service

Among the main players of string inverters (SMA), micro-inverters (Enphase), and DC optimizers (SolarEdge), is there any difference between the online monitoring services they provide?
Does any of them require paid subscription for home owner to use the monitoring service? I saw Enphase has something called Enlighten that requires subscription. Is that for home owner or for Solar installer?
If the monitoring service and SW/App is free for home owner, are the services from all these players hosted by the manufacturer? What will happen when the company hosting the service go belly up?

Thanks.

[solarix]

I'm not a fan of microinverters as the reliability is just not there and you are risking having to replace them all one by some day. (probably far sooner than their 25 year, parts only warranty implies)
Emphase does have the best on-line monitoring services, and the interface for SolarEdge is nice and built in as well. SMA has reduced their Webconnect option to about $300 now so is affordable finally.
Solar inverters are hard-working electronics and long term reliabiity is not easy, so should be your number one purchase criteria. I can say that SMA is the only brand that has a proven long term good track record.

[sensij]

I am looking into putting a solar system and would appreciate inputs from the experts here.

1) Long term prospect for Enphase micro-inverter.
I understand its supposed benefits but can't find info on what will happen if one of the micro-inverters does fail many years down the road. Does one need to replace it with the same model at that time? What if the model has been discontinued and replaced with newer model? Is there any compatibility requirement such that all the micro-inverters in a system all have to be the same model or from the same manufacturer? What if Enphase goes bankrupt, can one mix and match to replace with an alternative micro-inverter from a different manufacturer?

Enphase microinverters convert to AC. In theory, any microinverter that converts to AC can be used to replace a failed unit. In practice, there may be some complications with communication, but it is hard to know exactly what the future will bring.

2) Online monitoring service

Among the main players of string inverters (SMA), micro-inverters (Enphase), and DC optimizers (SolarEdge), is there any difference between the online monitoring services they provide?
Does any of them require paid subscription for home owner to use the monitoring service? I saw Enphase has something called Enlighten that requires subscription. Is that for home owner or for Solar installer?
If the monitoring service and SW/App is free for home owner, are the services from all these players hosted by the manufacturer? What will happen when the company hosting the service go belly up?

Thanks.

If the webservice offered by Enphase, SolarEdge, or SMA were to go down (or your WAN connection were lost), you want a system that you can access locally. Enphase offers this out of the box, simply browse to the local IP and you have access to the most important data. The programming required to communicate locally with a SolarEdge inverter is reasonably accessible, using "standard" modbus. The programming to talk to the SMA inverter through the Webconnect card is a beast, since SMA insists on using their own proprietary data protocol, which takes some time to figure out.

The Enphase access is not subscription based... there is a one-time up front fee for manager access, in the name of the homeowner but typically paid by the installer (with costs passed through, or not).

SMA's vaunted reliability means you can expect a failure in 10-15 years. The benefit of SMA over the others isn't truly reliability, it is that there is only one device that can fail, and it is relatively easy to replace. Panel level electronics can be more difficult to replace, especially if you have a high or steep roof, or a large array in which not every panel is accessible without removing others.

[Naptown]

Of the three SMA is going to be best as there are no parts that are proprietary to the system.
Any string inverter can be used as a replacement.

Micro's and optomizers are all different and proprietary so you have to replace parts with an identical part or replace all of it.

Solar edge and Enphase have the module level monitoring. Standard with SE and your installer may get it for you with Enphase. I know they eliminated it a while back but have heard that it can be had. ( Stopped using Enphase a couple of years ago)

[sensij]

I should add... if you like the string inverter reliability / ease of replacement and want good data monitoring, the Fronius Primo series of inverters released this year are the best of both worlds. LAN data access is included for no additional charge through their Datamanager 2.0 interface (web server embedded in the inverter), so you aren't dependent on an external web service. The external web service does exist (like the others), so as long as Fronius is operating it, you can have access from anywhere on the internet.

[Naptown]

The down side to the primo inverters is I have been told is that it is almost impossible to check the strings without removing the inverter.
I have 3 going in now will take a look next trip.

[newe70]

I am also in the same boat. I was offered three options for my 4.6kW systems and still undecided on which to go for. Sorry for the noob questions in advance, which would you go for and why? I cant find much of the reviews on the micro-inverter Enphase M250. Is it really worth the extra money to go with this eventhough, no shade on my roof. Any comments and feedbacks are truly appreciated.

Options 1
15 LG305 panels
1 ABB inverter

Options 2
15 LG305 panels
1 SolarEdge with the optimizer
$824 extra

Options 3 (my house is not shaded)
15 LG305
15 Enphase M250
$1,511 extra

[Smitty]

I am in the same boat. I have no shade whatsoever. I think your first option is best. I do understand if one panel or more are slightly concealed from things other than shade, such as bird droppings, leaves, dust, dirt, etc., the entire string of panels drop to the efficiency of the least producing panel. I simply plan to do regular cleaning maintenance as needed.

[solar pete]

I am also in the same boat. I was offered three options for my 4.6kW systems and still undecided on which to go for. Sorry for the noob questions in advance, which would you go for and why? I cant find much of the reviews on the micro-inverter Enphase M250. Is it really worth the extra money to go with this eventhough, no shade on my roof. Any comments and feedbacks are truly appreciated.

Options 1
15 LG305 panels
1 ABB inverter

Options 2
15 LG305 panels
1 SolarEdge with the optimizer
$824 extra

Options 3 (my house is not shaded)
15 LG305
15 Enphase M250
$1,511 extra

Why only LG panels, I would look at others like Trina, Jinko, Canadian etc

[newe70]

Why only LG panels, I would look at others like Trina, Jinko, Canadian etc

I cost is slightly lower if I go with Trina. Since it is not much more, I have requested for the LG305 panels.

[Naptown]

Then you are being cheated
Those Trina's are a LOT less expensive than the LG Bifacials which will do nothing for you with increased production unless mounted free standing ( mot co planer with a roof )
Caveat emptor

[newe70]

Then you are being cheated
Those Trina's are a LOT less expensive than the LG Bifacials which will do nothing for you with increased production unless mounted free standing ( mot co planer with a roof )
Caveat emptor

Very tough comment and I appreciated ur feedback. These were the quotes fr two diff installers that I am narrowing down.

4.6kW
15 LG305 panels
1 SE with the optimizer
$17,241

vs.

4.5kW
16 Trina panels
1 Power One inverter
$18,770

So if you are looking both quotes b4 tax credit for the price diff. I am not sure how you can even comment I might have been cheated.

[Naptown]

Very tough comment and I appreciated ur feedback. These were the quotes fr two diff installers that I am narrowing down.

4.6kW
15 LG305 panels
1 SE with the optimizer
$17,241

vs.

4.5kW
16 Trina panels
1 Power One inverter
$18,770

So if you are looking both quotes b4 tax credit for the price diff. I am not sure how you can even comment I might have been cheated.

Look at the two systems
The LG uses optomizers and is larger than the Trina system yet it is priced lower. Those panels and inverter are much more expensive to the dealer than the Trina.

The Trina system is smaller uses an inverter that is no longer made ( power1 was bought by ABB about a year and a half ago)
And costs more.

[newe70]

Look at the two systems
The LG uses optomizers and is larger than the Trina system yet it is priced lower. Those panels and inverter are much more expensive to the dealer than the Trina.

The Trina system is smaller uses an inverter that is no longer made ( power1 was bought by ABB about a year and a half ago)
And costs more.

Thank you much for the info