Installing Enphase Micro Inverters

[@kalenawa4932]

Very great info for someone who is clueless about solar, thank you.

[@EustisRider]

Thank you. You've removed so much of the mystery for this DIYer.

[@gregdoswalt]

Thank you, This is the only site where I found anyone showing how to hook up the cables to the panels. Good clean helpful video.

[@gu3610]

Great video, but I'm still not sure where that neutral wire came from. We got two hot and a ground at the inverter but at the junction box the neutral is there. Thanks again for these valuable information.

[@bluerockstation]

Yeah, the old Enphase micro inverters (the M215 and M250 shown in this video) had two hots, a neutral and a ground built into the wiring system. The newer IQ series just have two hots (no neutral and the ground is managed through the unit's casing).

[@gu3610]

Oh I see now. So practically it comes from where the ground comes from. Thank you very much!

[@WestlyEdell]

Thank you. Great clear video.

[@tom95521]

Those micro inverters must be really smart to synchronize the voltage, frequency, and phase together. Do micro inverters need another device besides the auto disconnect (to prevent utility workers from getting shocked during power outages) before connecting to the grid? I think the power meter might need to be switched out for bidirectional power?

[@bluerockstation]

Yup, these are really clever little beasts. The new IQ8 line is even more so as it can run independently (without a battery) when the grid goes down (but as you say, you will need an auto-disconnect to make sure you don't backfeed the grid). At its most basic, all you need is the solar panel, the micro inverter, some wire, an AC disconnect (should be located within 10 feet of the electric meter) and a connection to the grid (usually a breaker in your circuit breaker box). The utility generally supplies you with a bidirectional meter (although you may have to pay for it) so you get credit for power that you send back to the grid. The AC coupled system from Enphase gets a bit more complicated. This allows you to operate when the grid goes down (and manage loads, shift power, etc). With this you add (usually) a combiner box (that included the communication system that allows you to monitor the system), a smart switch (the auto disconnect, place to connect batteries, generators and the like), and then battery packs (if you like). This is a proprietary system, so you have to use Enphase products - you cannot mix and match.

[@cal48koho]

VERY well explained and more helpful than the enphase info. Thank you. Do you recommend the enphase combiner box with Envoy? Which one?

[@franciscommontielrodriguez707]

Fantastic!

[@babaayman9658]

This is good information

[@natshain7746]

Hi at 1:42 seconds you mention an orange special tool to undo the wire connection, what is the name and the model # for this special tool. This is the tool I need to disonect my 2012 enphase microinerter. Thank you

[@bluerockstation]

The disconnect tool for the "M" series of micro inverters is different than the tool used for the newer "IQ" series micro inverters. You can still get them on ebay and other sources. I did a quick search and here is one link to get the tool - but there are others. www.walmart.com/ip/Enphase-Disconnect-Tool-M-and-S-Series/1117348896?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101067583&adid=222222222271117348896_101067583_14069003552_202077872&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-295289030566&wl5=9009345&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=377893548&wl11=online&wl12=1117348896_101067583&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw15eqBhBZEiwAbDomEnmVgW55_U9JfaqHgG6hLiPaL2JC31cBYhMoHdOpEFayjxBNpUnqchoC4ZEQAvD_BwE

[@navyretired230]

When installing the AC connector to the IQ7 I noticed it fits both ways. it can be flipped over and plugs in to the IQ7. If fits no matter if one flips it 180 degrees. Does polarity matter on the AC side of the trunk cable? I do know on the DC side the +/- should be observed as polarity does matter

[@bluerockstation]

With the IQ7 the system is designed to only connect the two hots (it ignores the neutral and the equipment ground). So it really should not be important as to which hot is connected to which line in the inverter - so it make sense they allow the either or option. With the earlier connectors (for the M series) they connect the neutral as well, so I assume it is important to make sure that one lines up properly.

[@CreativeGuySteve]

Can you install different size panels in parallel with the enphase inverters?

[@bluerockstation]

Yes. As long as the panel is compatible with the inverter, each unit works independently. It may look odd - but it should work.

[@stefanpomrenke9612]

Very informative. Any idea on where I can source landscape Engage for 60 cell modeules? I bought 34 M215 Enphase Microinverters on ebay about 6 months ago. The Engage cable that came with it has 10 connections of which are landscape - the 24 other connections are portrait. However I need to have 32 landscape length connections. How would you fix this? Buying options for Engage Landscape orientation cables are limited... Enphase no longer makes Engage cable and Ebay listings are mostly for portrait orientation. I would want to run 2 strings of 16 that are center fed - so lengths of 8 would be needed. (8 x 2) x 2 Since I have one run of 10 I could use that for one of the center fed branches but I how do I achieve the other branches?

[@bluerockstation]

I was going to suggest Ebay - but sounds like that is a no go. Even though you are mounting the panels in a landscape format, can you run the connections north and south - so the connections between the panels are actually portrait in length?

[@launaali839]

Iam installing 10 solar panels with enphase m215. Micro inverters on ground mounts need guidance to complete system installation. Thank you

[@bluerockstation]

We hold a weekly Zoom session (Solar Noon Tuesday) at noon Eastern time every (logically) Tuesday. I would encourage you to join in and ask questions. Normally a number of installers and owners of similar systems are on hand and we can answer any questions as you work your way through the process. All are welcome and the login info is: Topic: Solar Noon Tuesdays Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime Join Zoom Meeting us06web.zoom.us/j/91067004366?pwd=b1dvcVZKYXQvSlk0a2Qvc0RqTi9VQT09 Meeting ID: 910 6700 4366 Passcode: 625623

[@tosinwaidi2203]

Nice explanation, but I don't see you connecting DC surg or is not needed in the installations?

[@bluerockstation]

The micro inverters give off an AC signal, so no DC in the system. You can certainly put in an AC surge protector, however.

[@Joe-qw6il]

The AC output cable can connect right side up or right side down, fits either way, does anyone know if it matters if some are connected right side up and some right side down?

[@bluerockstation]

With the older micro inverters (M250) the connectors would only allow one way to connect. The trunk cable had four wires (two hots, a neutral, and an equipment ground). It would therefore matter how they connected. The newer connectors (for the IQ6 through IQ8) have only two wires rather than four. Only the two hots (the ground is done through the metal case of the micro inverter and apparently it does not need a neutral). So I suspect it doesn't matter which hot connects to which as they each perform the same function with the same output.

[@freddurstedgebono6029]

Can you simply use the other end up the cable to connect to something else?

[@dougbarrett7803]

You're using the old trunk line

[@dan23haslin25]

Hi, started to hear that the older models are failing under extreme hot weather, what's your take on these new IQ7's? thank you

[@bluerockstation]

I did hear of concerns with the M215 models. Haven't heard the same with IQ7 units. I have installed a number of the older units without problems - so take it for what it is worth.

[@dan23haslin25]

@@bluerockstation thanks for your reply !

[@bluerockstation]

I just had my first M215 unit fail - I plan to post a video on the ease or trials involved in getting it replaced. Should be interesting...

[@Fritsvrolijk]

can you make a 3 fase connectie

[@bluerockstation]

Yes, Enphase makes three phase micro inverters as well.

[@russellbateman3293]

On the roof, however, squirrels will literally chew all these cables and ruin them. If you have squirrels, you'll want to rig something up to keep them from getting under your solar panels. And yes, the solution is a pain.

[@bluerockstation]

They do make squirrel barriers just for that purpose (weirdly expensive, however). I have seen some folks use flashing - but I would recommend against that as it creates a solar oven on the roof (no air flow) under the panels. Can cook the shingles and/or the micro inverters.

[@gmazzina]

Are there microinverters that work with older sunpower panels with positive ground?

[@bluerockstation]

Probably depends on the size of the panel (in watts). I suspect you could still find some old Enphase 215 units that would work. I don't think the positive or negative grounding much matters in a micro inverter system (as everything from the panel is AC.