[RE-wrenches] Commissioning issues with Enphase Ensemble

[Louis Woofenden]

Hi Don and Wrenches,

I have commissioned four new Ensemble systems over the past two weeks. 
All storage additions to existing PV systems with Enphase 
microinverters. Although there are parts of the process that are a bit 
clunky, we have not had the problems you mention. I followed the 
instructions in the tech brief "Ensemble Commissioning via Installer 
Toolkit 3.0," linked at 
https://enphase.com/en-us/certification-support-program-guidelines 
(direct link to the PDF is 
https://enphase.com/sites/default/files/Tech%20Brief%20-%20Ensemble%20Commissioning%20via%20Installer%20Toolkit%203.0.pdf).

My experience is that each of the four Enpower microgrid interconnection 
devices we've installed started up in passthrough mode, so if input 
breakers are on in the MID, backup loads have had power before 
commissioning is completed, and power has remained on for those backup 
loads even after we turned off the PV and ESS disconnects to wait for 
utility PTO after doing commissioning and functional testing.

It did take us some time to do the Envoy software update before 
commissioning, and the system does require a second trip for functional 
testing after the Encharge battery software updates have been done (up 
to 12 hours). I haven't stuck on site for the Encharge/Enpower software 
updates, but it looks like they are taking 4-6 hours for us, based on 
percentage done by the time I've left the site (system sizes from 10.08 
kWh to 20.16 kWh). Yeah, it's a second trip. I've used the trip to meet 
with electrical inspectors for these first systems.

One "trick" I've used on the Envoy software update is that you once you 
scan in the serial numbers of each Enpower & Encharge with the installer 
toolkit and plug in the cell modem and wireless communications kit, the 
installer toolkit will allow the Envoy software update to work, and you 
can get it taken care of early in the day, while still hanging boxes, 
running conduit, etc.

I would agree that there are definitely parts of the new installer 
toolkit that aren't intuitive. I missed the "edit" button on the devices 
page for a bit (which is not mentioned in the tech brief), and couldn't 
figure out how to increase the device count, for example. I also had to 
try the Envoy update twice for some of these systems, as it threw an 
error code the first time around, so for some of the systems it took 
closer to 45-50 minutes to get the Envoy software update done.

Hope the next one goes more smoothly for you! New products, new 
challenges, I guess.

Best,

Louis Woofenden

don at energysolarnow.com wrote on 9/30/20 2:59 PM:
> Wrenches-
> I'm having a lot of difficulty commissioning my first Enphase Ensemble 
> installation. This is on a pre-existing microinverter installation. 
> Have been on the phone with tech support several times; each time they 
> forward a Tech Brief about commissioning that has different and 
> slightly conflicting instructions. It seems the order of turning on 
> each box is critical. Because of already-obsolete software that they 
> ship with, the software must be updated before activating the Envoy, 
> Enpower, and Encharge or they will not work.
> And for some reason the Envoy must have both Wifi and cell connection 
> before even starting commissioning, but the slower cell connection is 
> used for software download so it takes up to 12 hours.
> This commissioning must be done on-site using their latest version of 
> Installer Toolkit on a smart phone. Sure, there are buttons in 
> Enlighten's Activation page to add an Enpower and Encharge, but these 
> do not work "yet".
> Enphase tech support says they are working on making this a single-day 
> process rather than the current multi-day commissioning. This does not 
> even count the actual hardware installation time.
>
> I would advise anyone against moving any loads to a new subpanel 
> before the entire system is commissioned and operating.
> As of now I have an Enpower that mistakenly thinks it is off-grid when 
> the grid is present, so it has told the Envoy to shut down the PV 
> microinverters and batteries. These are relay controlled, therefore it 
> is not possible to have them connected without software control.  It 
> has already committed the major crime of shutting down the backed-up 
> loads while the grid is still present. Enphase is working on it, but 
> seem to be developing software on the fly. I suppose their integration 
> process has been hit hard by pandemic distancing, and they are all 
> working remotely.
>
> Has anyone else had a successful experience commissioning an Ensemble?
> I'd like to hear about the doos-and-don'ts.
>
> Don Barch
> don at energysolarnow.com <mailto:don at energysolarnow.com>
>
>
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-- 
--
Louis Woofenden
Engineering Director
Net Zero Solar, LLC
101. W. 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85705
Arizona ROC #248710, 259756, 259521

Phone:520.207.4053 <tel:520.207.4053>Ex. 3
Cell:520.237.5040 <tel:520.237.5040>
Fax:520.203.7230 <tel:520.203.7230>

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™

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