Enphase states grid-forming IQ8 microinverter will begin delivering in December

Oct 25, 2021 04:54 PM ET
  • Enphase Energy revealed the Enphase Energy System with IQ8 solar microinverters will start delivering in December 2021 for consumers in North America. IQ8 is Enphase's smartest microinverter yet, capable of forming a microgrid throughout a power blackout throughout the day utilizing just sunlight, providing backup power also without a battery.

" Given that the company's beginning, we purchased custom application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips for our microinverters, and also today we see the payback with a software-defined microinverter smart enough to create a microgrid, unlocking value for homeowners," said Badri Kothandaraman, president as well as CEO of Enphase. "Many house owners usually assume their planetary systems will work if the sun is radiating, even during a power blackout. This has unfortunately not held true until today. Now, with IQ8, homeowners can realize truth guarantee of solar-- to make and also utilize their very own power. IQ8 solar microinverters can supply Sunlight Backup throughout an interruption, also without a battery."

The Enphase Energy System with IQ8 comes in 4 various arrangements: the first is "Solar Just"; the second is "Sunlight Backup" without any battery; the third is "Residence Essentials Backup" with a little battery; and the fourth is "Complete Energy Self-reliance" with a large battery. While the first arrangement is a typical grid-tied system, the continuing to be arrangements are grid-agnostic systems which require an Enphase System Controller (previously called Enpower smart switch) to island the residence during a blackout. For homeowners that desire a battery, there are no sizing restrictions on coupling an Enphase battery with the solar system. And all setups can be personalized for house owners with the help of Enphase installer companions.

" The IQ8 microinverter, being a true microgrid microinverter, is going to be a gamechanger for this sector," claimed Aimee Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of Washington-based Solterra Solar as well as Texas-based Excellent Energy Solar. "Until IQ8, it was challenging to appropriately handle customer expectations of battery design as well as sizing constraints and also to clarify different choices. Making it possible for a customer to start with any size Enphase battery and also expand in time is mosting likely to make battery backup with solar an opportunity for much more of our consumers."

The IQ8 family consists of five sorts of software-defined microinverters, IQ8, IQ8+, IQ8M, IQ8A and IQ8H, with peak outcome air conditioner power of 245VA, 300VA, 330VA, 366VA and 384VA, respectively. The IQ8H microinverter is Enphase's most powerful microinverter to day as well as has a California Energy Commission (CEC) performance of 97%. The numerous kinds of IQ8 enable seamless pairing with a complete series of solar modules, equalize to 540 WDC.

IQ8 pilot installations started in Q3 with select installer partners. Representative as well as installer companions in North America can pre-order IQ8 beginning today, with manufacturing shipments anticipated in December.


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