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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Keeping the record straight…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I need to say that I have had
correspondence ‘off list’ from a development engineer from a prominent
manufacturer who assures me that his product is designed to run ‘flat out’
24/7. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>The unit in fact is just coasting at it’s
maximum power rating. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>This allows for a projected life matching that
of the PV.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>In this case power clipping will not
shorten the products life.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I am unable to confirm if all
manufacturers are taking this approach, buyer beware…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Regards<br>
Carl Emerson</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Nick,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Is Enphase going to
be introducing to market any time in the near-term a new micro with a higher
output? It seems very likely that the trend toward higher output mods
will continue. The M215 will surely be left behind to a greater degree as
this trend continues if there are higher and reliable and comparably priced, on
a dollar/watt basis, micros available.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>marco</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>Hi Carl,
Marco, and Wrenches,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'>As a longtime installer, I understand your point of
view. Historically, I designed my string and microinverter systems with
the same consideration for maintaining conservative DC to AC ratios. That
being said, the costs of modules have decreased significantly and the dynamics
have changed. Solar companies should be focused on selling systems that
offers a great rate of return. Maximizing the customer's investment is
most important. Isn't that what your customer wants?<br>
<br>
What Enphase is encouraging is the development of cost effective PV systems
that will generate a healthy return. Considering that the modules are
only 20% of the total system costs today, it is smart to give up 0.2% or more
of the module production to lower the overall system costs by 5-10%. The
NEC requires that the AC panel boards, conductors, and circuit breakers are
sized to the inverter continuous output current rating. We should be
maximizing this infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>The data
available indicates that when a system is installed with a 1.2 to 1.25 DC to AC
ratio, it will rarely operate at peak output. Installing a PV system with
a 1.25 DC to AC ratio is not driving the equipment to the maximum. In the
case of the Enphase M215s; they are designed to operate continuously at peak
output, so reaching that level a few hours in the first years is not
problematic. To be clear, this limiting will occur the most during the
spring months, because you have a combination of both cool weather and high
irradiance levels.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>As Dan
mentioned, this applies to string inverters as well as microinverters.
One of the most common system designs of the early US grid-tied market was
installing 18- 165 watt modules on an SWR-2500. I designed hundreds of
projects like that. That was a ~1.2 multiplier, and was at a time when
the modules cost $5 per watt; not $1 per watt. Why be more conservative
now?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<pre><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre></div>
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