[RE-wrenches] Enphase / Inverter failures

[Will White]

It's funny because I've had a very different experience from everyone else.  I've had lots of Xantrex inverters fail and a few Fronius but not to the extent that everyone else has.  I've only replaced a few Enphase inverters and they were usually dead out of the box.

Thanks,
Will

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Will White
Regional Field Operations Manager - New England

Real Goods Solar
64 Main St.
Montpelier, VT 05602
Tel: (802) 223-7804
Cell: (802) 234-3167
www.realgoodssolar.com<http://www.realgoodssolar.com/>


From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Troy Harvey
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2013 11:06 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase / Inverter failures



I don't enjoy the PLC interference problems, which are rare. When they have occurred, Enphase provided continuous technical support, including factory evaluation of line filters and enhanced system analysis.  Did you know that each Enphase system has a built in spectrum analyzer? Tech support can provide a printout of interfering signals to help in troubleshooting. Installing a separate AC load center to accept the AC return breakers helps with solving these problems.  I understand that the next release of Enphase inverters will be Wi-fi, eliminating the PLC protocol entirely.  When the communication works, (which it does most of the time) it is a very valuable resource.

I find we have several times the service calls on enphase due to the customers thinking their system isn't working, when in fact it the flakey PLC network. And all that monitoring is only really telling me about the inverters or their networking, since the long term failure rate of the panels is several orders of magnitude better than even the best inverter on the market.

I have only seen 2 Xantrex string inverters go out in the last 5 years (no surprise there) out of all of the string inverters, and all of the brands. But I've seen failure at everyone of our Enphase installs, and usually failures every year (1 or 2 dead micros per year per site).

There is no argument that micros improve flexibility. And the potential for a micro to have a higher MTBF is believable. But first they need better design, more market experience, and will never reach 25 year lifespan like they say until they take electrolytic caps out of their designs.

thanks,

Troy Harvey
---------------------
Principal Engineer
Heliocentric
801-453-9434
taharvey at heliocentric.org<mailto:taharvey at heliocentric.org>

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