Micro vs String Inverters

There has been a lot of talk lately about microinverters.  Microinverters are small inverters that mount on the racking system directly under each solar module.  There is a one to one correlation between microinverters and solar modules.  For example, if you have 20, Kyocera KD230GX-LPU modules on your roof, you would have 20 microinverters.  Microinverters have been gaining in popularity lately due to the advance of one manufacturer in particular: Enphase. Enphase recently came out with a new microinverter.  It's the model M215.  The biggest change is that this new inverter comes with a 25 year warranty. For the first time, the inverter warranty last as long as the module warranty.   This could be a game changer for the solar industry.

Some of the benefits of installing microinverters:
-Each module/inverter works independently, so shade affecting one module does not affect the whole system.
- No central point of failure, if one microinverter stops working, the rest of the system still functions
- Truly advanced data logging showing power output at the module level
- No high voltage DC wires to run.  DC-AC conversion takes place at each module on the roof and each microinverter is connected with an AC trunk cable.  This cable is then run down and connected in your main AC panel.

For more info on the M215, visit http://enphase.com/

Call the Earthsponse Solar Solutions Center at 866-94EARTH and ask for a system quote using microinverters, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results.

-Andy Young

MyGen kits for Wireless

All of the Kyocera MyGen kits provided by Earthsponse come with a great data monitoring function, so you can keep track day to day and hour to hour of exactly how your solar PV system is doing.  All that is necessary is an Internet connection and a cable.   Plug a standard Ethernet CAT5 cable from your home’s Internet router into the special data card that comes in the PVPowered inverters.  That’s it!  You’re ready to data monitor.  Your respective Earthsponse or Earthsponse dealer representative will set up the deck monitoring website using the serial number of the Inverter! 

But what happens if I installed the inverter outside away from my house on a pole or other outbuilding?  Well, your installer will make the judgment call.   If a trench is available, then special underground cable can be run back to the Internet connection in the home or business.  If this isn’t available, then we can hook up a wireless bridge at the Inverter side (requires 120VAC) and a wireless router in the home.  These wireless devices have to be perfectly matched and programmed by your solar professional.  In most case the simple wireless-N protocol is used due to its increased transmission capabilities.  Also the wireless-N frequency ranges have less interference than the standard wireless-B/G protocols in common use today.   Earthsponse has successfully connected a remote inverter to the Internet via wireless connection at a distance of over 300 feet!

For more information on data monitoring with Kyocera MyGen kits and to see a sample visit http://www.deckmonitoring.com/mygen_sample

-Andy Young