[RE-wrenches] MLPE Mapping

[Matt Partymiller]

Definitely a pesky problem.

Buy Tigomart panels where MLPEs are pre-integrated and peel in warehouse or on ground.  Since those are difficult to find lately, consider Tigos clipped onto panel frames in your warehouse or on the ground.  When we go the Tigo route we prep on the ground and build our map as part of that process.  If you go with Tigo F’s you don’t even need to map!  You sacrifice panel level visibility but, as far as I can tell, MLPEs are far more likely to fail than a reputable panel.

I’d really like to know why all MLPEs don’t go the clip-on route.

Matt


Matt Partymiller
General Manager
Solar Energy Solutions, LLC
877-312-7456
matt at sesre.com



From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Corey Shalanski
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 1:58 PM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] MLPE Mapping

Wrenches,

After 10+ years of MLPE (microinverters/optimizers) gaining traction in the industry, I have noticed one stubborn issue that somehow still haunts us. I think we as installers have all been there at some point: laying down the final module in an array, high fives all around, time to look at the close-out checklist that our pesky operations manager handed to us on our way out the door, and then realizing that we forgot to peel off the MLPE serial number stickers (or otherwise record them) in order to make a map...

Even when installers forget to record just one serial number, retrieving it can be difficult and time-consuming. Raise your hand if you've ever attached your cell phone/camera to an extendable pole and slid it under the array in hopes of catching that one forgotten label!

In this age of smart devices, I anxiously await the day when MLPE will be able to map themselves. But until that day comes, I am wondering if anyone has developed or knows of a tried-and-true foolproof method for capturing MLPE serial numbers?

--
Corey Shalanski
Jah Light Solar
Portland, Jamaica
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