[RE-wrenches] Strange Question: 1-Panel System

[jay]

Small plug in the wall  micro inverters started back in the early 2000’s.  I had one on my deck.  It was about the size of a pack of cards and was from Europe, of course it might have only been 100 watts or less.  

The biggest issue with the bigger players here is that they are all 240vac, which makes simple install difficult. 
And for some reason, the enphase can just fail if you don’t have them connected via their gateway.  
I have 4 that are connected without the gateway and 1 just failed.  ( if anyone has a old enphase they want to get rid of or low $ let me know)

I don’t know what standards the new regs are using?

jay

> On Oct 25, 2025, at 10:25 AM, Glenn via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> 
> Have you seen the ads for the new plug in the wall PV panels? Apparently they are common in Europe and are working their way here.
> 
> Do the new generation of microinverters require a gateway now? I have a couple of panels running off m250s for years with no direct monitoring. I do have a Sense monitor on my house and can see it's effect on my usage.
> 
> If you can use a current micro without the gateway, a company called Shelly sells inexpensive DIN rail power monitors with wifi and BT connection
> 
> -Glenn
> 
> On Oct 25, 2025 12:13, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> Okay, this is going to be a strange question. I'm looking for the lowest cost way to install a single solar panel and inverter that is grid tied. i need it to be grid-tied and it needs to be monitored in some way. I'm thinking a microinverter is the way to go, but I don't want to buy a $600 Enphase Gateway to make it happen.
> 
> Since someone is probably going to ask, I will go ahead and explain. A local utility company has a top marginal residential energy use rate of about 15 cents per kWh. The first and second 500 kWh monthly are billed at a slightly lower rate. However, when you enter into a netmetering agreement, the switch you to a "blended" rate, which is currently 9 cents per kWh, regardless of what you net energy use ends up being. 
> 
> You might see where I'm going here. Installing a single netmetered panel reduces a customer's marginal rate by 6 cents a kWh. This could be a substantial savings, particularly for heavy energy users. 
> 
> I have people interested, for obvious reasons. 
> --
> 
> Jason Szumlanski
> Florida Solar Design Group 
> 
> 
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