Plug and play connections (mostly)
No messing with energized dc cables
No additional rapid shutdown device needed
Ease of replacement if necessary
For my installation, string inverters would need to be in my garage, so additional 50-60' run to/from exterior mounted panel
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DIY grid-tie Solar install - West facing roof vs south facing ground mount
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I have decided to use an SMA string inverter for my system.
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From a DIY perspective, I'd add that micros are significantly easier to install as well.Leave a comment:
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I'm really perplexed on the popularity of Enphase. What makes it worse is that when I ask people why they prefer Enphase I've never been given a reason that's accurate. Lower Line Losses? No. More Shade Tolerant? Not really. The most popular reason is that if one panel is shaded in a string of 14 panels that the other 13 panels have their output reduced with a string inverter... which is 100% false.
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If you go ground mount, microinverters are a complete waste. Especially if you're saying no shade. You will have higher loss as was mentioned.
I'm definitely a fan of ground mount setups. However it is significantly more money. That being said it adds into the ROI time. It's also alot more work. Alot more work. I didn't have much of a choice on my property. But I definitely think the pros outweigh the cons.
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Solar Edge and now even SMA if you have Tigo modules also offer module level monitoring and you don't need to buy a $500 gateway.
The there is the issue of the inverters pushing high line voltage up toward the trip point.
This problem gets worse as the inverters get farther from the meter (located at the panels).
Caused me some grief with strings here, but not nearly as much as with micros. Bruce RoeLast edited by nwdiver; 06-20-2019, 03:34 PM.Leave a comment:
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If there is much distance between the panels and the meter, the cost of wiring becomes
important between micros and strings. Its about 700' from my most distant panel to the
meter. Seeing the wiring investment for the 2 types side by side would be significant. I
see it in other systems similar to mine. As is my wire covers the distance about half DC
string voltage and the rest AC inverter output. DC losses are just above 1%, AC losses
are over 3% at peak. There is a 4 gauge pair running out to my inverters, but to get
good control I would need about 3/0 gauge using micros.
The there is the issue of the inverters pushing high line voltage up toward the trip point.
This problem gets worse as the inverters get farther from the meter (located at the panels).
Caused me some grief with strings here, but not nearly as much as with micros. Bruce RoeLeave a comment:
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From what I heard(not what I know): warranty, ease of install, good product support, longevity of company, price becoming closer, monitoring.Leave a comment:
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I did decide to go with Enphase micro inverters. The cost difference was less than $1k on a 6kw ground system. The main reason is 90% of the folks I spoke to in person, including the ones that will be helping me install, say to use Enphase micros. Only one said he would chose string inverters due to cost only.Leave a comment:
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