[RE-wrenches] Enphase / Inverter failures

[Mike & Jessica Nelson]

Wrenches,
I have had extensive failures on 3 installs that are situated right on the
coastal bluff in Northern California. Once you replace more than one
inverter at one site on one day, the compensation goes from $150.00 per
inverter, to next to nothing for the remaining. Enphase actually sent out
their field services tech, and did a complete swap out on these 3 systems
(with my assistance). It was a long day. But now, 2 years later, we are
seeing more failures. One has had 4 micro failures to date. Once I get away
from the coastal edge, with it's corrosive effect, the failure rate goes
way down. I have asked Enphase to upgrade these 3 systems to the newer M215
system, and am still waiting for a response. I am to the point where I
won't install Enphase within 1/2 mile of the ocean.
Michael D. Nelson
MD Electric & Solar

On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 8:31 AM, Will White <William.White at realgoods.com>wrote:

>  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****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *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
>
> ****
>
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-- 
Michael & Jessica Nelson
MD Electric & Solar Inc.
Office: 707-884-1862
Cell: 707-684-0064
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