Tag Archives: microinverters

solaredge warranty vs enphase warranty

SolarEdge vs. Enphase: comparing warranties for leading inverter manufacturers

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If you want to make sure your solar panel system is operating as efficiently as possible, you are probably considering either power optimizers or microinverters (collectively known as “module level power electronics,” or MLPEs). In the United States, SolarEdge is the leading power optimizer manufacturer, while Enphase leads the pack for microinverters.

Deciding which inverter to choose can be difficult, and product warranties make a difference. In this article, we’ll compare SolarEdge’s warranty offerings with Enphase’s warranties.

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microinverters on a house

Microinverters: what you need to know

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Inverters are an essential component of any solar panel system. They’re responsible for converting direct current energy (DC) generated at your solar panels into usable alternating current (AC) electricity for your home’s appliances. When it comes to choosing an inverter solution for your solar panel system, there are a few options to consider. In this article, we’ll go over one of the more popular types of inverter technologies: microinverters.

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NEP q&A

Q&A with Northern Electric Power

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The residential solar industry in the US has long been dominated by two inverter companies: Enphase and SolarEdge. However, recently, a number of inverter companies have been making headway in the US market to expand inverter technology and diversify the options available to consumers. We sat down with Northern Electric Power (NEP), an inverter company founded in the US, to learn more about their mission and their product offerings.

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3G shutdowns

Phasing out 3G networks: what could it mean for your solar system?

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When you read about cellular networks, you likely automatically think about cell phones – but did you know that these networks also support remote monitoring capabilities of solar systems? In 2022 all major mobile carriers – including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon – are shutting down their 3G networks, impacting a number of solar system owners in the U.S. who installed 3G modems as a part of their solar panel system. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about the 3G shutdown and the steps you can take to upgrade your solar system’s cellular modem if your installation is impacted. 

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Enphase Energy System Configurations

The Enphase Energy System: what are its four configurations?

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One question that homeowners commonly ask during the solar installation process is whether they can power their homes with just solar panels in the event of an outage – typically the answer is no, you’ll also need storage for a safe and reliable setup that can keep the lights on. However, Enphase made headlines in October 2021 with the announcement of a new configuration of the Enphase Energy System which is, in fact, capable of providing off-grid functionality to homeowners without storage installed (with a few caveats). 

In a two-part series, we’re explaining everything you need to know about the Enphase Energy System. In part one, we discussed the components that make up the Enphase Energy System. In this article (part two of our series) we’ll explain how the components can be configured into different setups: you can choose from four different configurations, depending on the level of backup you want or need.

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Enphase Energy System Components

The Enphase Energy System: what are its components?

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Enphase recently announced their vision for electric homes: smart, all-in-one home energy systems, which they’ve named the Enphase Energy System. This system can come in four different configurations based on the different components installed. In a two-part series, we’ll be breaking down everything you need to know about the Enphase Energy System to help you determine if one of these set-ups is right for you. 

There are a number of products you’ll need for your Enphase Energy System, which will vary depending on the set-up you choose. While most of the components are made by Enphase, others can come from a different manufacturer of your choosing. In this article (part one of our series), we’ll break down all of the various components that you may need. Skip to part two if you’re interested in learning about the different configurations of the Enphase Energy System. 

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Generac product launch

What’s included in Generac’s product launch, and what does it mean for you?

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New product alert! This week, Generac–the national leader in backup generator solutions-turned clean energy company–added three new releases to their ever-expanding product lines. First, Generac is adding a microinverter option to their existing string & hybrid inverter options for solar installations. The second product is a new backup generator that is designed primarily to recharge PWRcell batteries. And, finally, Generac’s third new product is an energy management system designed to improve and increase battery performance. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about these new products.

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rapid shutdown

Rapid shutdown: what you need to know

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If you’ve just installed a solar panel system or are looking at a picture of one, you may notice a box with an on/off switch that says “rapid shutdown.” But what does rapid shutdown mean, and why is it important for a solar panel system? In this article, we’ll give an overview of rapid shutdown requirements, how they vary by state, and list some popular inverter options that are compliant with rapid shutdown requirements.

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Inverter warranty

Solar inverter warranties: what’s covered, and what’s not?

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If you’ve already started exploring your inverter options, you may have noticed that many products come with a 25-year warranty. However, simply comparing the length of one warranty term to the next doesn’t give you a full picture: what is and isn’t included in a warranty differs quite a bit from one inverter company to the next. And considering how important a solar inverter is to the functionality of your system, you want to make sure you’re covered in case anything goes awry.

In this article, we’ll review the most important aspects of a solar inverter warranty, and discuss what’s standard for the industry.

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