[RE-wrenches] Metering

Tue Sep 30 07:42:33 PDT 2014

The main reason to want to have the Enlighten system is warranty. Try 
to get a replacement inverter if Enphase can't monitor the system 
over the Internet.

At 10:01 PM 9/29/2014, you wrote:
>All,
>
>         Great points and a little education of others' feelings 
> about, essentially how granular we need to be in monitoring.
>
>         I'm curious who is monitoring the Enphase systems in the 
> solar world, seriously.  I know 95% of my customers are more 
> concerned about catching the bus or what's for dinner than if PV #8 
> has bird crap on it.  Do the folks at Enphase, through Enlighten 
> have some software that spots issues?  I know I, as an installer 
> don't have time for it.  My experience is the customer notices 
> their power bill was higher last month, they take a look at the 
> inverter and no green light...CALL BILL.
>
>         Thanks folks for the resources for meters, din rail too.
>
>Bill
>
>[]
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:glenn.burt at glbcc.com>Glenn Burt
>To: <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>'RE-wrenches'
>Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 5:17 PM
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Metering
>
>I would not classify what we are doing in PV as SCADA.
>
>It is purely data acquisition at this point, and more commonly 
>referred to as DAS or a Data Acquisition System.
>SCADA by its definition entails a two way path of both receiving 
>data and being able to send control signals, usually from a big 
>picture program, monitoring dozens of data points.
>Let's not try to make the simple into a more complex thing than it is.
>
>-Glenn
>
>From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] 
>On Behalf Of Ray Walters
>Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 2:31 PM
>To: RE-wrenches
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Metering
>
>The 2nd problem with the Envoy besides cost is that it isn't always 
>reliable.    Communication through power lines is not a new or fresh 
>idea, and has Always been problematic.  Once you install something 
>you are expected to make it work, and that can be a nightmare on say 
>an 8 module system that keeps losing communication to one or two 
>modules.  I've had this exact case, and confirmed multiple times 
>that each micro was working, but the Envoy had other ideas.
>This rush to mega data acquisition makes sense for larger PPA 
>systems, but can just add tons of call backs and the resulting 
>financial losses and frustrations for small systems.
>I've spent as much time messing with SCADA, as I have with the 
>entire install itself; now that's ridiculous.  This isn't new 
>either:  I had  SCADA systems back in the 90s, that had great 
>promise, but ultimately were extremely hard to implement, and the 
>customer never used after anyway......
>The question is:
>What does the customer really need to operate the system vs. "bells 
>and whistles".....
>
>
>R.Ray Walters
>CTO, Solarray, Inc
>Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
>Licensed Master Electrician
>Solar Design Engineer
>303 505-8760
>On 9/29/2014 12:12 PM, August Goers wrote:
>Hi Bill,
>
>One of the largest benefits of the microinverter system, in my 
>opinion, is the ability to monitor each module individually. It 
>might seem like ~$500 is a lot for the Envoy but I think it is well 
>worth it when you think about the 25 year warranty period and 
>included ongoing monitoring. We've had enough Enphase failures that 
>I would personally really want to be able to keep my eye on each 
>micro individually.
>
>Just a thought, August
>
>From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] 
>On Behalf Of frenergy
>Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2014 2:26 PM
>To: RE-wrenches
>Subject: [RE-wrenches] Metering
>
>CA wrenches,
>
>         I'm trying to (for the sake of my monetarily impaired 
> customers) figure out a less expensive way to meter/monitor small 
> enphase systems.  One of my local utilities will allow me to just 
> use a remanufactured utility-grade meter (ala AEE) These meters are 
> inexpensive, robust and accurate but only display total production.
>
>         The Envoy retails for over $5 bills.  Most of my customers 
> are not interested in checking their PV system on the internet, 
> well not after a couple weeks.  I can't seem to find any 
> requirement from PG&E other than in Section 5.1 of the guidebook: " 
> All systems receiving an EPBB incentive must install a production 
> meter accurate to +- 5% of actual system output...."       which is 
> pretty vague.  plus the is no CSI incentive  anymore.
>
>         Anybody have a suggestion that is different from the remanu 
> utility meter?....and possibly gives current wattage output, and is 
> "approved" by PG&E interconnection?
>
>TIA
>
>Bill
>[]
>
>
>
>
>
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