Designing with Enphase
Designing an Enphase System is easy, and this section covers everything you need to know about how to do it successfully.
PV Generation with Microinverters
Microinverters are installed behind each solar module and convert the DC power from solar modules to grid compliant AC power right at the module. Use our data sheets and design resources below to help you design your system. For more information about Enphase Microinverters, visit the Microinverter Family page of our website.
Introduction to Enphase IQ System Design
Selecting the Right Microinverter
To determine the compatibility of specific PV modules with Enphase Microinverters, use our Module Compatibility Calculator.
Review specifications and design resources for each of our Microinverters below.
Array Sizing
To determine how many microinverters you'll need simply divide the desired AC system size by the VA rating of the compatible microinverter. For example, if you're designing a 7kW AC system using the IQ 7+ Micro, divide 7,000 by 295 to arrive at 25 microinverters. (7,000 / 295 = 23.73 or 24 microinverters)
AC Branch Circuits
The maximum number of microinverters that can be installed on each AC branch circuit can be found in the microinverter's datasheet. Continuing the example from above, the maximum number of IQ 7+ single-phase (240V) microinverters that can be installed on a 20A circuit is 13. This means that you'll need two branch circuits for this 7kW AC sample system. (24 / 13 = 1.85 or 2 branch circuits)
System Compatibility
The IQ System uses the 2-wire Q-Cable and a new line-to-line power line communications protocol. When using the IQ Micros take care to use only the IQ Envoy and Q Accessories. The IQ System is not compatible with our previous microinverter systems.
Download the IQ System Component List here to learn more.
Microinverter Resources
IQ 7 / 7+
Communications and Control with Envoy
The Envoy is the monitoring and control appliance for the system, and it communicates with system components over the AC power lines at the site. If the Envoy is unable to communicate with system components, operations may be impaired.
Follow best practice for placement design and installation of the Envoy to ensure reliable system monitoring and control. Design plans should call for the installation of the Envoy on its own circuit at the PV sub-panel, or use of the IQ Combiner Family. The Enphase IQ Combiner Family is the most cost-effective way to get the most from the Envoy. The IQ Combiner Family will help to cut installation time, and consolidate interconnection and communications equipment costs by 20%. Use of either the IQ Combiner Family or a dedicated Envoy circuit will minimize the distance between the array branch circuits and the Envoy and will improve communications by isolating the Envoy from other loads in the home.
The IQ Envoy ships with a production CT for sites requiring revenue grade metering. You can also design each system for consumption monitoring (required for storage installation). Consumption CTs are ordered separately.
Review specifications and design resources for the different types of control component installations.
Communications and Control Resources
Metering CTs
Energy Storage with AC Battery
The Enphase Storage Solution is modular by design and may be sized to meet your customer's current needs and may be expanded in the future as their needs change. The Enphase solution is PV technology agnostic and may be installed on an Enphase Microinverter System or a string system installed years ago, before microinverter technology became available.
The Enphase Storage Solution requires installation of the Envoy with production and consumption metering CTs for AC Battery charge and discharge control.
Visit our Storage System page for more information about the Enphase AC Battery, and review specifications for the AC Battery below.
Sizing the the Enphase Storage Solution
The homeowner's Energy Storage Solution can be sized to meet their storage goals using the Enphase Storage Sizing Tool.
To access the storage sizing tool, you will need to have an Enlighten Manager account. If you do not already have an Enlighten account, please visit our Setup page to learn how to create your account. Once logged in to Enlighten, you can access the Storage Sizing Tool on your Dashboard. If you do not see the Storage Sizing Tool widget, click Add Widget on the upper right on your Dashboard to add it.
System Compatibility
The new IQ Battery includes the onboard IQ Micro and is compatible with our IQ System.
