Ensemble - Frequently Asked Questions
We are glad to see that you share our excitement for the Ensemble technology. We have received several questions on our Ensemble 101 video. Below are some of the more frequently asked questions and answers to them.
1. What is Ensemble™?
Ensemble is an Energy Management Technology that manages a multitude of energy resources - including solar, storage, load, grid, or a generator. Whether your system contains all these resources, or just some of them, Ensemble seamlessly manages the energy environment.
Watch the video for a detailed understanding.
2. Is Ensemble™ one single product?
No, Ensemble is a technology. The IQ microinverters, the Encharge battery, the Enpower, the IQ Combiner (with integrated IQ Envoy), and the Enlighten cloud make up Ensemble.
3. How is Ensemble Grid-Agnostic?
When connected to the grid, the PV system works as a typical grid-tied solar and storage system. In the event of a grid outage, Enpower senses the outage, and seamlessly isolates the Enphase Ensemble system away from the grid connection. The Encharge battery becomes your source of electricity and enables PV microinverters to continue to operate and provide electricity. All this happens autonomously, in the blink of an eye.
When the grid comes back, Enpower senses the grid and reconnects the ensemble system back to grid. The IQ microinverters then transition back to the typical grid-tied mode. Solar energy harvesting remains uninterrupted and your home appliances are supplied electricity from the Ensemble system during the grid outage. This unique capability is what makes Ensemble the first truly grid-agnostic technology.
4. What is the difference between Ensemble™1.0 and Ensemble™2.0?
We plan to introduce Ensemble in a phased manner.
Ensemble 1.0 focuses on providing backup and grid agnostic capability using Encharge, Enphase’s modular energy storage product and Enpower, the Microgrid Interconnection Device (MID). Encharge will come in two sizes - Encharge-3 (3.36 kWh) and Encharge-10 (10.08 kWh). Enpower allows your home to be isolated from the grid in the event of a failure, enabling the grid-agnostic function. The Ensemble 1.0 solution is compatible with IQ 6 and IQ 7 PV systems, both for existing and new installs.
Ensemble 2.0 will bring to market our grid agnostic IQ 8 family of microinverter and the next generation of Enpower. The new variant of Enpower will have the software and hardware capability of managing consumption in a fine-grained manner. Our goal is to continue providing additional value to our partners and customers in every new Ensemble release.
5. With Ensemble™, will I get electricity even if there is a power outage?
When you power goes out Enpower switch will isolate your system into an independent micro-grid. At this point, the Encharge battery becomes your source of electricity. If the outage is during the day the Enpower switch enables PV microinverters to continue to operate, provide electricity and charge the battery.
6. Are Ensemble™ products compatible with older Enphase microinverters?
The Ensemble solution is compatible with IQ 6 and IQ 7 microinverters, both for existing and new installs. You can add Enpower and Encharge to your existing system and your home will become grid-agnostic.
Ensemble does not provide backwards compatibility with M- or S-Series microinverter systems. The microinverters will have to be changed to the IQ series to be compatible with Ensemble.
If you are the owner of an M- or S- series Enphase microinverter system, please stay tuned and we will soon release invites to our Upgrade Program for Early Adopters.
7. When can I buy an Enphase Ensemble™ system?
We will start selling Ensemble 1.0 products in the United States around Christmas of 2019. Next release will be the Ensemble 2.0 solution across the globe. Stay tuned for updates on pricing, pre-orders and release dates.
8. Is IQ 7 available in my region?
Yes, IQ 7 is available globally.
9. What is Encharge?
Encharge is Enphase’s new modular AC-coupled battery storage with backup capability. Encharge will come in two sizes - Encharge-3 (a base unit size of 3.36 kWh capacity and 1.28 kVA rated continuous output power) and Encharge-10 (10.08 kWh and 3.84 kVA rated continuous output power). Both variants also have an additional 50% surge power for short duration. Encharge has LFP battery cells, i.e., Lithium Iron Phosphate, which is the safest available in the market.
10. Can Encharge power all my home appliances?
Since Encharge is modular and expandable battery storage product, you can install as many Encharge batteries as required to power the appliances that you want to. Ensemble system enables you to back-up your home entirely or partially, providing the maximum flexibility to the customers.
11. What is Enpower?
Enpower is the Microgrid Interconnection Device (MID) that allows your home to be isolated from the grid in the event of a grid failure, enabling the grid-agnostic function.
12. What is the Combiner?
The IQ Combiner provides the ability to electrically combine the solar AC branch circuits of microinverters. It also houses the communications hub of the Ensemble system – the IQ Envoy. A cellular modem is also present within to ensure continuous internet connectivity.
13. Does Ensemble allow Genset/Generator integration?
Yes, Ensemble includes hardware and software features that provide genset integration. The generator integration capability is planned to be released in a phased manner.
14. Is Ensemble Compatible with non-Enphase Micros/String Inverters?
No.
15. Will Ensemble work with non-Enphase battery solutions?
Ensemble solution is designed optimized to work best with Enphase products. We recommend using Enphase products for the best customer experience.
16. Will I be able to install the Ensemble system myself? [Do-It-Yourself]
Yes, if you are certified to do so. All products come with an Installation guide which will be made available during the launch of Ensemble. In case you are not certified, kindly ensure to seek professional support.
17. Can Ensemble be installed for 3Phase applications?
No.
18. Can Ensemble adjust delivery down different phases according to demand on those phases?
Yes.
19. What will the price of the Ensemble system be?
Details on pricing will be revealed closer to product release dates. Stay tuned for updates on pricing, pre-orders and release dates.
