Micro-inverters VS DC Optimizers (Solar Inverter)

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Optimized Solar Inverter OR Micro-Inverters Comparison:
In this video, Joe presents a head-to-head comparison of solar micro-inverters and DC power optimizers. Both technologies offer module-level monitoring and optimization, but only one eliminates the central point of failure.
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#DcOptimizer #MicroInverters # SolarInverter
#SolarSystem #SolarPower #Inverters

[@alfs3]

So glad to hear you confirm this bc I ordered micros for all of our panel install! Thanks for always providing such pertinent information to us all - keep up the good work Joe!

[@mrphoto]

Thanks for taking time to explain the differences.

[@tommac5411]

A great video for explaining inverter options. Excellent!

[@sirkildalot8409]

Brilliant simple clear explanation. Perfect! Thank you.

[@heshydrew]

Your reviews are the best in the solar industry! I was waiting for someone like you

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks for the support!

[@leolui4039]

Thanks Joe, good explanation. Going for the micro inverter solution! Obviously a bit more financial layout, but more reliability and benefit

[@cgrimm934]

Superb job my friend! Thank you for all the knowledge you give us.

[@ANGRY_AMERICAN]

Great video. I have solaredge system and yes the central inverter is a major draw back. With installers popping up then go out of business it could take months to get inverter replaced, In my case in SW Florida SolarEdge still showed my installer as being active when in fact they were shut down,witch took several days to resolve. Several more days to find new installers willing to take on the service of our system. Several more days for new installer to come out and verify unit was bed even though SolarEdge can see entire history of your system in 30 seconds. Total time without productivity 3 months +-. During the time without producing our electricity costs was $500 above what we would have paid in same time period.

[@kevinhill1851]

Very helpful. Thanks lots for this simple explanation.

[@GeaVox]

SUPERB! A personable, intelligent, clear and professionally impeccable presentation, thank you sir! You could lecture on the topic and would shine amongst academics, as well as on-the-ground professional engineers! 10/10!

[@SolarSurge]

Wow, thank you!

[@peterreed7445]

I guess im randomly asking but does someone know a method to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the account password. I love any tips you can give me.

[@eduardopayton7776]

@Peter Reed instablaster =)

[@peterreed7445]

@Eduardo Payton i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and im in the hacking process atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@Dreadlk]

You really should either take down this video or put a disclaimer that the information on Shading is incorrect. The whole String Inverter discussion about shading having an impact has been busted by several people and companies using a Scientific approach. You make excellent video's but you are doing your customers a disservice by regurgitating false information without doing any research. Joe if you wanna know the Truth look at this video or search for some others, the proof is all over the place. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4KchK2eoZaWm7M

[@phugwad]

Excellent explanation, clear, concise, informative, thanks.

[@markthompson4099]

Great presentation you rock. My opinion on the Solar Edge is that I have had only 1 SolarEdge inverter fail, but many optimizers. The Enphase has not be that perfect and I have had many fail. Keep up the good work Best.

[@claudiot.crameri3195]

Thank you very much for your clear and good explanation! Have a good time Sir!

[@chefboyrdee1]

This was great. thanks !

[@RajaSeshadriKannan]

Very nice, unbiased and useful presentation for 'the happening' topic now.. The Solar Energy.. Thanks a lot. Very Helpful :)👍

[@maximumnoise78]

Amazing information and so well presented. Thankyou!

[@dalerobert62]

Great video! Thanks!

[@craigw4644]

Thank you!

[@davidppfitzner]

What a refreshing presentation.

[@kennymcleod128]

Thank you Joe explained so that anybody can under stand.

[@MrPony2005]

Great video and better explanation! After more than one year with micro inverters without any downtime I guess my decision was correct. Tks

[@erwinaui2534]

Please wait for the year 3th - 5th.

[@gsxr1kmatt]

The reason I went micro inverter... expandability. I deployed in 2 phases, rather than buying another large inverter, I can increase my production a little at a time by adding more microinverters.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes. another good point. The micro-inverter architecture is more easily expandable. I would also say that it is more economical for smaller systems by avoiding the large cost of a central inverter. I think SolarEdge offers 3,800W as the smallest option. For a small DIY, you might want to start out with only 1-1.5kW. That's much easier to do with micro-inverters without spending an arm and a leg.

[@juststeve5542]

Exactly what I did... Adding more panels is just so easy.

[@freeheeler09]

@@SolarSurge thanks Matt and Joe, this is one of my primary questions about solar. We live in the Sierra Nevada in California. Our electricity costs twice the national average, power company powerlines start many fires each year, and we are increasingly plagued by power outages. I'm out of my home today because the power has been out for a week because of fires.

[@time4leasing]

Very well presented. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@davidrodowicz943]

Joe, your video are the best I have come across. Clear and concise without a lot of rambling. Very professional. I am having trouble determining the start up surge voltage for a 3 ton split HVAC system. I need to know this for using a portable gas generater (10K - is that enough power)? The manufacturer wasn't any help. Can anyone help me out?

[@flfl3969]

Great explanation - great job!

[@kevingrimes6323]

Thank you for explaining this. This video was very helpful.

[@SolarSurge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JustinsProject]

Great video! High quality and very informative!!! New Sub. Working on building my own 10kw system and so far you have been a great source of information. Keep up the great work.

[@SolarSurge]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for the support!

[@tcprelude]

I just like listening to this guy talk. He could break bank by doing voice overs for technical user manuals.

[@shaywalker2725]

Thanks for the info

[@tobione5117]

Hey, super vidéo. thanks from Switzerland 😄😄

[@wayne6220]

Thank you for the video, really good explanation.

[@billyflanagan9657]

Great video thanks

[@flaviopitanga65]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@ronlevandoski4805]

This guy is most excellent. He explains technical things in an orderly easy to understand way. That takes some special smarts. He should be running the energy department!

[@nielsdaemen]

Mark my words, micro inverters won't last 25 years and those systems will have more frequent breakdowns, simply because there are more Points of failure

[@destinyreturns4885]

More great information. Thanks again

[@N8Dogg1002]

Well explained. Thanx

[@fabiandennis1247]

Great Breakdown of details

[@REALCRISKO]

Thanks. Great explanation.

[@alzaidi7739]

As an electrical engineer I consider this an excellent explanation. For fellow techies, the "optimizer" is basically a DC to DC converter. And I can attest to the reliability problems with SE optimizers. The ones on my new home haven't worked for 3 months and counting. 0 watts delivered.

[@alzaidi7739]

@@ts757arse Not so they match, but are the highest total string voltage. This improves the inverters conversion efficiency. See this white paper Figure 3: www.solaredge.com/sites/default/files/se_application_fixed_string_voltage.pdf In the optimizer, a DC-DC converter, there is no conversion to AC. That's done at the inverter. Nothing the user need worry about.

[@Richardoculus]

@@ts757arse in DC systems harmonics and phase angle cut-off do not exist. That happens in AC sytems when frequencies are present. Modern DC/AC inverters can modulate sine waves in a near perfect way, it is the load wich switches the AC current and cause higher harmonics.

[@m77ast]

Very well presented. Thanks

[@theLeftHandedDog]

Excellent.

[@cesarmedina2997]

Great information 👍🤘

[@practicaltactical1336]

Good info!

[@williamrizzo1285]

Well done, thank you.

[@democraticunderground5665]

Very useful videos! Thanks for taking the time to put them together. They are very helpful for my learning. One question, does the Optimizer eliminate the shading issue the micro inverter solves or is shading cause performance issues for a string set up?

[@glaysonnn]

Vídeo excelente, assistindo do Brasil🇧🇷

[@tomference4618]

..great help aid!

[@alcoppa2682]

You did a good presentation. My only experience was with a linear current booster years ago that was made by Shurflo. I had a DC motor that a solar panel was not able to run for whatever reason. When I connected the LCB up to the panel the motor took off and I was amazed at what had just happened. I know that what the LCB did was to lower the voltage and supply more current to the motor. I had a solar panel and motor stop working one day and I thought that I had done something wrong. I had a cat that would go outside with me whenever I would do an experiment and on that day the cat's tail shaded the panel and everything stopped working. So, I know that you are correct when it comes shading. Not a good thing. Good video.

[@MrGoogle87]

Micro inverters bad points you missed: 1. Less efficient (2% at least) 2. it needs thicker cables then 2.5mm2 AC, if not done loss is even more, while DC standard is 4mm2 3. output AC power is limited i.e. 290watts, there goes your 365wattpeak LG panel or so 4. complex to install in fusebox room, it needs more breakers on a three phase network 5. more points of failure instead of centralized (optimizers are built more simple) and they don't like heat. 6. When using a DC storage battery, you loose more power going from DC to AC then DC back to AC, with SolarEdge it's DC to DC

[@geoffmichelle1161]

And don’t forget that with the Micro Inverters you have grid level voltage at all times from the fuse box all the way through the rooftop array to the last panel. The optimiser system only has the DC voltage on the roof but when it is not under load it reduces down to 1 Volt per optimiser which is so much more safer.

[@abel4776]

Any brands with shade management, and expandable string DC system that is not SolarEdge?

[@ram64man]

Yes the failure rate on central inverts is a lot lower, however the optimisers have about a 90% reliability and also suffer from heat like pannel level inverters . What no one is talking about though is mow we are seeing >500w pannels appear now it won’t be long before 72 full cell models appear for residential builds , enphase development team really have dropped the ball even with the iq8 design is limited on top models to 400w that may have been fine pre covid but time waits for no one as >500w panbels have been the goal for many home owners who have significant smaller panel’s in an area often limited to 16 even with real world losses it’s still far higher than enphase allow forcing owners it to old style strings

[@TheArtificiallyIntelligent]

@@ram64man Maybe a dumb question because I'm new to solar. Are the >500w panels 72 cells? Or are there 60 cell ones getting to that point?

[@ram64man]

@@TheArtificiallyIntelligent there are 72 full cell _144 half cell models from jinkco solar and ja solar 540w. 570w on the market but supplies are very limited my contacts in india only got one shipment that's being used for water heaters in combination with water pumps in rural areas

[@solarup5671]

wow - you have excellent communication skills with excellent organizational demonstration... a highly informative and efficient presentation.... a rare occasion on youtube... kduos

[@PaulHenreid]

Excellent presentation

[@davegeorge7094]

Bypass diodes built into panel prevent the 50% loss he said. MPPT adjust for variations.

[@bradscottbutler]

I’m using this for customers to understand.

[@SmedleyButler1]

Awesome! So, SolArk, plus solar pod roof mounts, plus REC panels, plus lead acid car batteries!

[@SolarSurge]

Yes on all, except for car batteries. You don't want to use a car battery for deep cycling. Use lead acid golf cart batteries for off-grid solar.

[@SureshKumar-lm9qy]

Good video presentation , but should have shown a comparison table and explained the merits and demerits

[@Anavllama]

So easy to subscribe to a well presented video. Thanks for explaining the subject matter, I have been waiting over a year due to supply issues for panels both solar and electrical and the upside is the enphase IQ8 microinverter is now available. :-)

[@siligurisolarstation2310]

Well played

[@codyj2275]

Nice video, with lots of good points, the only one I disagree with is the enphase wireing being more complicated. You can have 13-16 panels on one circuit using iq7-iq7+ and they would be daisy chained just like a string system. Depending on panel size solar edge will take 15 or so per string so the number of circuits coming off the roof to the inverter or combiner box is very comparable. Other wise thanks for the video and keep up the good work educating people about solar and solar technologies.

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks for the reply. You are correct. Parallel branch cable length for the microinverters is close to the Solar Edge max string length.

[@MrPingpong90]

Optimizers are easy to install but I've had to service a wall mounted system. Needless to say, they are not fun to service when you're trying to get to one in the back of the panel.

[@gilbrook]

Clear, concise and illuminating as usual. Easy education. A foundation to make your own choice.

[@Dreadlk]

Unfortunately its not accurate information. The Truth about Shading: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4KchK2eoZaWm7M

[@gilbrook]

@@Dreadlk Interesting. Think this is true for Tesla’s inverter?

[@Dreadlk]

@@gilbrook It's true for any modern panel. Only solar panels that are over 15 years old where effected by shading. Since then they have added in bypass diodes that reroute the power when a section of the panel gets shaded. The other problem that Joe does not mention is clipping. You will get more power out of a string Inverter system than Micro Inverter if you live in a sunny area like Ca, Fl, NV etc. It's only when you go further North that the Micro Inverters have a slight 3% advantage. In sunny locations Micro Inverter clipping will kill up to 15% of your power generation during peak hours. Please look it up on KZbin and you can see more detailed info on clipping.

[@gilbrook]

@@Dreadlk Understanding clipping is good. Best to drive inverter to highest rating. I’m looking at 4kW (twelve 340W panels) w/Tesla 3.8kW dual MPPT inverter. No shading between 9am and 3pm. Going to allocate 6 panels to each MPPT. Your thoughts?

[@Dreadlk]

@@gilbrook Sounds like a good plan, just make sure that 6 panels produces enough voltage for the Tesla. It should but I don't know the panel specs.

[@Yukonjackman1]

I have 2 inverters on the side of our house, much easier to replace like I had to do in the past without removing a solar panel in the middle of my roof if needed.

[@juliovera7534]

Thanks for the video quite helpful. I'm looking to start my installation I bought the panels but I'm debating between the 2 since I'd like to have an (off the grid system) my question would be is there an approach while using the micro inverter or is it most likely that my project needs me to move towards optimizer. I'm thinking that the cost to change the energy back and forth is going to be expensive and not at all efficient. Thank you

[@user-ib1lk3be3c]

I'm deep in the quote & system design on this very question. Great video but I'd love an update that adds Time of Use optimizations, home backup and EV charing which mean adding battery storage. Since batteries are inherently DC (and the fastest and most efficient EV charging is also DC) adding those requirements would seem to push things towards DC pretty hard. Thoughts?

[@jingyu447]

no solution can be perfect to fit all projects. Thus, it’s so important that the contractor selects right solution for the end users. Well explained, Joe

[@westcoaststacker569]

I believe installers should look for the best solution, not the cookie cutter one they prefer.

[@RS-ls7mm]

You don't lose the entire array if one panel gets shaded in the string system unless you wire the panels completely wrong. The diodes in the combiner box handle this.

[@niallparker3655]

Exactly ... this video as so many others takes the "one panel kills a whole string" as gospel without any actual testing. In most cases a simple diode or two is sufficient to deal with the problem, much cheaper and less prone to failure than either a microinveter or optimizer. One does lose the panel level monitoring though but is this worth the added cost ?

[@onealhighsmith6975]

You forgot about the combiner box for the microinverter system still being a single point of failure. Also the efficiency differences as well as the performance under high temperatures.

[@andrewgood7290]

Enphase all day long, Ive been installing solar 12 years and nothing comes even close, performance, reliability, ease( especially adding more panels), the monitoring is second to none. The early envoy unit not having wifi used to be a pain but the new one has addressed the previous issues

[@PhxElecAuto]

I have seen a lot of Micro inverters fail here in HOT Phoenix az. The panels were being thrown up. I asked and tgey gave the panels to me. I putvthem up and connected them to a string inverter.

[@Thorsten_Wiegand]

Modern String Inverters (SMA, Fronius) nowadays have a shadow managment system and the panels have bypass diodes. So, if you can install your panels all in one direction, even if some get temporary shadowed, a string inverter is almost always the best solution (costly wise). Yes, you can´t monitor every single module, but normally that isn´t necessary.A central inverter provides a single point of failure, which is good and bad. Good: It´s only one device that could go down and you will realise the failure really fast. Also its easier to replace, because you don´t have to climb on the roof. Bad: If it goes down, the whole system goes down. Micro Inverters are good for small systems and modules that are mounted in different angles and/or directions. You can mix both systems, for the problematic modules use microinverters, for all others a normal string inverter. The SolarEdge Power Optimizer System is something in between, and in my opinion the worst optione to choose.

[@mikegardner8450]

Not that bad if the whole system goes down. The fact is all inverters, including micro inverters, will need to be replaced in about 20 to 30 years. With a string inverter you do it once and your done, with micro inverters you will have to replace them at different times. So if you have 20 panels you will have 20 different repairs at 20 different times. What a pain and the cost will be through the roof.

[@bloepje]

@@mikegardner8450 And with a 570W panel being 130 euro these days while the micro-inverter is above that, it might be more interesting to just add panels instead of inverters.

[@matthewforestieri6895]

Thanks for your time

[@leestandley9599]

As a ham radio operator, Optimizers are also know to be RF noisy. So it you or your neighbor listen to AM radio or ham radio, Solar Edge could prevent that from working.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Lee. Thanks for the comment. That's the first I've heard of the RF interference issue with optimizers. I'm a ham also, KK4WPO.

[@Mark-kt5mh]

Are you the type of operator who calls the FCC on your neighbor?

[@michaelharrison1093]

@Lee Stanley - microinverters directly connect to the AC grid and hence have to comply to EMC standards in order to be legal to be sold. With DC optimizers and a string inverter there is a legal grey area. The inverter must meet EMC standards as it connects to the AC grid, however it is OK to test it without any of the DC optimizers connected or if they are connected it is OK to conduct the test with the optimizers set in their inactive 'bypass' mode. Since the DC optimizers do not directly connect to the AC grid then they don't need to comply with any of the EMC standards. This is part of the reason why optimizers are lower cost as they can be built without any form of EMC filter.

[@paulburger2866]

@Michael Harrisson will this also affect cellphones and two-way radios? We're planning to expand the number of panels but would not want our weak cellphone and two-way radio performance to get worse.

[@michaelharrison1093]

@@paulburger2866 technically speaking the noise generated by optimizers can interfere with all forms of radio transmissions, however ham radio is a lot more susceptible than other forms of radio. Cellphones use digital modulation schemes which are really immune to background noise and deal well with most sources of noise. They can also adjust their transmission power to help get through background noise when they detect it. If your site is a long way from the cellphone tower and you have marginal reception (only one or two 'bars' of signal strength) then background noise can be the difference between being able to have cellphone service or not, however with a cellphone you are not so aware as a user as to the impact of background noise. With a ham radio operator you are more aware of any background noise and the impact that it is having on your ability to communicate.

[@Luckyhx3]

You should do a troubleshooting customer call wait time with SolarEdge and Enphase.

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks for the tip. In my experience, SolarEdge has had good response time and they are usually willing to send you a replacement inverter without much resistance. However, the higher failure rate and customer down time is still a problem. Enphase has been way more reliable since we switched over.

[@odw32]

Microinverters also have an advantage for tiny setups, and setups which are planned for gradual expansion/replacement over time (when mixing & matching second hand panels for example). For Enphase, you technically don't even need their monitoring hardware: You could buy ONE single panel at a time even from different brands and with different watt-peak ratings, and plug them into a free AC circuit breaker. You can scale at a linear cost, at least as far are your circuit breaker amperage rating allows.

[@user-gw8wp7gn2f]

Nice informative video sir. How to order the DC optimazer?

[@blaise-of-glory]

I've really been enjoying your videos and hope you get some bang'n business for your efforts!

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks. Please keep liking and sharing.

[@charlesvincett84]

Agreed...he is clear, concise, honest and straight forward. He does a good job!

[@benreber2277]

I have a 10 panel array I’m going to be installing I’m building the array mounts currently. As far as initial cost which is more. Micro inverter or optimizers. I am grid tied so if system fails I am able to operate without it so I’m just looking at cost total and chance of a failure dependent on that expense.

for a threephase environment Like most of Europe microinverters are a huge pain in the backside to wire. Accessability for repairs is another issue there. From that point of view the central inverter is preferrable - and the solution I went with for my system. Power optimizers are installed on panels where shade is to be expected.

[@LabRat6619]

Some people have steep dangerous roofs where access to a micro inverter once installed would be very costly and time consuming to repair.

[@kekhutsitsentoampe2666]

What would be suitable for 150L normal geyser on top of the roof connected to the PV pannel (450watts) between an optimiser and an inverter?

[@makesaveinccomm]

Which conduit size is right to run 3 x 4 gauge wire with 5 times turn 90 degree angle to get to remote destination sub- panel box. Thanks

[@makesaveinccomm]

2nd question. Both 2 gauge copper THHN wire southbell co sell by home depot n lowe's. But lowe list 110 amp max on their website, Home depot list 125 amp. But some where at HD. Also said 130 amp max. What different? Thanks

[@charlesvincett84]

Great video dude!!! Very informative and helpful as always! Keep on keeping on...👍😎💯🐶

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks! Will do!

[@athenamorales7321]

Are you guys certify in Utah and would install a solar system on a trailer? I would prefer to have the company KZbin Chanel that helped me decide on what system I want for my trailer to do my system then another company.

[@serraios1989]

Thank you Joe. Excellent video. What are your views on inverter+dc optimisers and microinverters clipping?

[@SolarSurge]

That depends on what size solar panels you are using. As of today, the highest output Enphase micro-inverters are 349W AC. So for high-output solar panels like 400W+, I think SolarEdge has an advantage to minimize clipping loss.

[@serraios1989]

@@SolarSurge Thank you Panels 360Wp 268W NOCT with IQ7+ microinveters Should be ok

[@njmeljanoub308]

do we still need a power optimizer of half cut cell ?

[@greg3111987]

String inverters typically have to go back to the distribution board for sub metering. Is this required for micro inverters

[@ngenesolarplanet5912]

Good illustration but how can I get the micro inverter here in Nigeria

[@ajeeljabbar4766]

is the micro inverter capable to start amotor load like freez,ac unit

[@jonam123456]

Interesting video. I am writing this from India. Enphase is available now here too. unfortunately, it is costing more than double of a standard string inverter. There is a monitoring device to install it is costing twice the price of one micro-inverter. Is it the same there ?? just out of curiosity

[@saratdas918]

Why does a small shade in one panel reduces the entire array by 50 % ? Could not figure it out on my own.Will you please explain ?

[@bentleyjarrard885]

Great video, thanks.

[@SolarSurge]

Glad you liked it! Let me know if you have any other topics I should cover for new videos.

[@barry28907]

Thanks for the informative video! Question: If I start with a grid tied system (either with micro inverters or optimized central inverter) and then a few years later want to add an AC-coupled battery system, does either alternative have an advantage? Thanks!!

[@SolarSurge]

Good question. Both Enphase and SolarEdge allow you to add an AC-coupled battery in the future. However, I still favor Enphase for the scenario because of its ability to partition the PV array into multiple segments to avoid overloading the battery.

[@Oliveir51]

Can you still have 3 phases with those ?

[@ryanniksch4174]

I exclusively use micro inverters. I love the flexibility of being able to start small and gradually grow the size of a solar implementation. I think it should however be noted that these do not provide power during a power outage. All micro inverters has a safety feature that they will not produce power is the grid is not live. So if there is no power there is no solar production. This video is very good but the description and intro both refer to power during a power failure which can be miss leading. There are a few other pieces of the puzzle missing when looking at solar power during a power outage

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Ryan. Thanks for writing in. Good point about the easy expandability of the micro-inverters. In order to provide off-grid backup power, we would pair the micro-inverter system with an AC battery like the Tesla Powerwall II or the Enphase Ensemble.

[@Bombuzzz]

@@SolarSurge Do DC batteries like the Generac not work in an off grid scenario with micro inverters? Based on your other videos I would think the Pwrcell would be the logical choice for rural homes that need to start large loads off grid and micro inverters reduce failure points. Thank you for the high quality content. Looking forward to starting a quote.

[@SolarSurge]

@@Bombuzzz The Generac system uses a central inverter only (1 or 2) PWRCell X7602 inverters. There is no ability to mix and match micro-inverters with Generac's system.

[@salsapete2132]

That is an excellent point. But what I am not clear and need confirmed is if one panel is shaded or fails the rest of the panels still work and produce energy

[@Kosmonooit]

Downside is also (more importantly imho) multiple potential points of failure

[@michelgroen1982]

With panels now having more and more WP and the Emphase having a max output way less than the WP of the panels, isn't therefor the Optimiser beter as you get the full output of the panel?

[@wobby1516]

My system in the U.K. has optimiser and a SolarEdge inverter. Three year in and the inverter failed all be it replaced by SolarEdge under warranty. However I’ve also one failed optimiser and that’s were my problem remains because the rubbish installer didn’t map the location of the inverters serial number relative to the serial number and position of the panel it serves. That can also happen with micro inverters, lesson learnt make sure to use a well established installer and if possible don’t fit on a U.K. roof as to replace a simple inverter involves expensive scaffolding.

[@richardleighton822]

Excellent explanation of this topic. I'm considering installing 14kw of panels on my roof but can only export 3.68kw back the grid with the remainder to battery storage. Would you mind briefly giving me your opinion of the best way to do this with a micro inverter system?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Richard and thanks for writing in. In this case, I would recommend that you install enough battery storage for at least 50% of your average daily energy harvest. For a 14kW system, that would be roughly 3 Tesla Powerwalls or 4 Enphase IQ batteries.

[@DarthPoyner]

One thing to note though is that some of the Green homes are designed to use DC for most of the high use items in the home. Lights, Washer/Drier, Stove, and so on. So the SolarEdge would be great in those situations even with the problem of the inverters. Are there not inverters that have a "dual brain" setup where you can run circuits to a secondary or even tertiary line in the inverter that can be field replaceable? That would not be as modular as the microinverter but would somewhat alleviate the single point of failure. Pretty much a dual inverter kind of setup in the same box.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi JP, thanks for writing in. I'm not aware of any multi brain inverter like this. Most modern homes need AC power so an inverter is going be in the equation somewhere. I would suggest to use an efficient inverter and the most efficient lighting and appliances. That keeps the home wiring and maintenance simple since it would be using standard AC wiring and circuit breakers.

[@asdfdfggfd]

It would be interesting to see a bill of materials done on the Enphase inverters and see if Enphase is gouging. It just seems like a 100 or 200 watt inverter typically retails for $30ish dollars, but Enphase sells their inverters for $250 retail. The synchronization parts can't make up that entire premium, can it?