The failed panel's bypass diode will kick in and automatically bypass the failed panel,the same is also true for partial shading in a single inverter system
Can you provide me with the string inverter you are referring to? I have not seen one be able to bypass a single panel on a string by itself without adding optimizers. I would like to learn more on that. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@JustinsProject ua-cam.com/video/ESpsdMFEFZo/v-deo.html it's no so much the inverter as the bypass diodes in the solar panel hope the link to the video above helps
@@JustinsProject HiJustin, bypass diodes are built into the solar panels. You’ll have a hard time finding a panel without built-in bypass diodes. Part of the maintenance process of commercial solar farms is to test the proper function of the bypass diodes. Bypass diodes reduce the impact of partial shading of a panel and if an entire panel is defective they make sure the string is still producing electricity. This doesn’t mean that micro inverters are not useful.
Your presentations are very good but it seems to me that by doing the work yourself and learning as you go along might be more expensive than going to a professional installer in the first place. Using batteries @ £2100 for 5 kWh may have been a better investment than the micro inverters as all modern PV come with bypass diodes which deals with shading, not as effectively as micro inverters perhaps Anyone planning on doing the job themselves needs to do a course or at the very least look at as many UA-cam presentations as possible and you would be well advised not to attempt the electrical work
Thank You, I have been researching the DIY method, because we recently moved from Colorado to Florida and when we got solar in Colorado we payed someone else to do it... which was 40K+ for 7k system which had no battery backup. We used generators to power things during outages, but I kind of integrated battery backup in a way to the system. All the essential stuff in the house, I installed inline computer UPS systems, but to save money I just bought used commercial rack mount systems for large appliances and "rebuilt" them by replacing the internal batteries. Then for smaller stuff like our bedroom for the end table lights and my CPAP i used regular over the counter UPS systems. When we have power outages the refrigerator can still function for over 24hours roughly on the UPS before i am forced to give power back and hopefully by then i have connected the generator to the house and turned off the grid. Something really cool that i thought was very smartly planned out, the origional builders built our house in Colorado with the intentions of needing backup generator power yearly, so to figure out if the grid was back online, they wired the main breaker so the ceiling lights were wired into the main breaker only, then a sub-main panel ran off that panel which housed all the rest of the house, so the generator safety cutoff is on the 2nd main panel. Question: Whats your opinion on these bifacial panels that i see you can install vertically?
100% believe in the bifacial panels. Not sure about the vertical install just yet but I am in the process of building a new system that will be using bifacial panels. I hope to start testing on vertical panels sometime in the future. Spooler alert, I will not be using Enphase microinverters though. I will share more details soon.
With wrong information on string installation. Even if a panel fails, the whole string won't fail. And replacing a central inverter in your basement is easier than climbing on your roof usually. The video is biased toward micro inverter. Central inverter with string also allows you to extend your system with a dc battery, which you cannot do with micro inverter.
@tiloalo Not biased. I have experience with a lot of different solar equipment. It really depends on the users' overall needs. There are times when I have recommended string inverters over microinverters. Other times, microinverters are the better choice. I think no matter the choice, solar is beneficial.
@DIYSolarBuilds exactly saying that it's the better choice is simply wrong. It depends on the setup. If access to the roof is difficult microinverters are not a good choice. The lifetime of an inverter is much shorter than the one of a solar panel, and replacement can be much more expensive if access is difficult. The cost is also still higher for microinverters compared to string install.
I like your project, and thanks for sharing. One thing to note: If you panels have bypass diodes, and one of your panel goes down, the bypass diodes on this panel will let the current produced by the other panels to bypass this panel. If one of the panels has a partial shading, than it depends on the sensitivity of the diodes when they let the current bypass. Until that point, there will be some loss of power production by the other panels - to my understanding.
I have a 9Kw solar system with Enphase IQ7 and Tesla Powerwall 2 and it the whole system works when the Grid goes down. Powers entire home and Solar can still charge Powerwall battery at the same time as run AC. Highly recommend.
You can charge the batteries even when the grid power is off? I have IQ7+ and they will not produce power without the grid being on. Yes, I can use my Bluetti backup up to power the house when the grid is down, but my IQ7's will not produce power to charge the batteries when the grid is shutdown.
That's a high power panel. I don't think microinverters would work best for you. Maybe a string inverter with optimizers. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Hey, bro. Nice review. I own a solar company in Cali and just rocked an IQ8+ system on my own house. The cobbler's kids finally have shoes! I was looking into the controller and elected to shitcan the idea and just use my 12kW generator which does run both houses and my well system. I would love a battery system and tell the power company to come and get their meter but even at my prices....it ain't worth it. Yet. I am also one of the lucky ones with a 1:1 export rate. That died for Cali in April. Now it is 8:1 return. They screwed us hard.
The prices on those batteries are a little on the high side. I wish I could find a solution for my system also. 8:1 is ridiculous. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I'm with you brother. I had an IQ8+ system installed in my house in California back in May 2022. Got in that nice NEM 2.0 export contract with SoCal Edison before they threw that out of April 2023. I'm waiting for a bit before adding battery storage or even getting an EV once there is bi-directional charging offerings so I can use my massive EV car battery as a house backup. Being patient for now
Very helpful - particularly as I’m in the U.K. and getting info on the enphase inverters is hard. We have 4 panels with IQ7As at the moment with the Tesla 2 battery and gateway. We’re thinking of adding more panels but on an outbuilding. Is it as simple as wiring these into a circuit and the system will pick them up? Or do they need to be programmed to the gateway to make them work?
They should be connected to the combiner box with your existing IQ7A's. You want to make sure you are doing everything the manufacturer recommends so you can maintain a warranty on them. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject thanks so much. Challenge is we have a cabin in the garden and it’s around 100feet from the house. I was hoping to put panels on the roof of it and feet them straight in to the ring main. Only 4 panels so it would be fine for the cabling. But not sure how to get that connected to the gateway in the house due to the distance. I have internet in the cabin - wired and WiFi. Any views would be amazing
It's highly unlikely that a panel or a microinverter goes out. The Enphase microinverters have a 25-year warranty. Even if a panel or microinverter goes out, it will not affect the string/branch. Only that individual panel or microinverter would be affected. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject thanks for the reply. I’m referring to the ac power cables coming from the solar array. Do they connect into a control panel. Or do they just connect to an ac panel. I’m in the uk. So might use different terminology. By ac panel I mean a fuse box.
Welcome from across the pond! No problem, here are three videos that might help answer those questions. ua-cam.com/video/gKik5ZQC8dc/v-deo.html - This one shows exactly how to wire the combiner box to the Main Service Panel ua-cam.com/video/2Nssg_WAH68/v-deo.html - This one covers the components needed to build a system like mine ua-cam.com/video/qg399PM6DQ8/v-deo.html - This one is more of an overview of the entire wiring process Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
I just received a quote for a 10.08KW system. 24 VSUN 420N panels with Enphase IQ8 Plus inverters with no battery backup with install for 25k. is that a good price?
Just a heads up. 24 IQ8+'s can only produce a maximum of 300w per microinverter, so the true max output rating of that system would be 7,200 watts. I would recommend IQ8A's for those panels. Those max out at 366w. That would be 8,784 total watts of output. Hope that helps.
I am switching my Enphase system to Hoymiles. I am going to use HMS-1000 dual microinverters. My new panels will be 440w BiFacial. I should not experience any clipping with that setup.
It depends how much electricity you use. I have 22 panels (guessing 400W because I wasn't told specifically) with the 22 IQ8+ Micro inverters. I live in a 1550 sq ft house and it provides about 99 percent of my electricity needs during the day but I'm on the grid for evening darkness because I didn't get a battery either. The most I've ever paid in electricity usage is $55 this past August. Some months have been $0 but on average a little under $20. I still have to pay for gas and admin fees charged by Dominion, so I've never had free bills. I know my bills would be a lot higher without solar. In 2023, the solar produced 10.34 MWh.
If your building completely off gridd could you use the IQ7's and just tie them into the AC side of an inverter? Im thinking if you had a batterybank that could power a plane jane 2500 watt inverter and a charger hooked to the battery that plugged into an ac outlet wouldnt the IQ7 sync with the inverter and allow it to provide power to the system?
From my discussions with Enphase support, these are grid tie only. To commission them, you need a grid tied frequency. I am sure their are hacks, but I'm about positive it would void the warranty. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I went with the IQ7A and the IQ Combiner 3, paired to Canadian Solar 400W panels. I have them facing south, full Sun exposure, micro inverters are rated at 366 watts I believe, I wonder how high they’ll push my panels
So, IQ7 can't produce power to my house when the Grid is off? Like in an outage ? That's I key point for me. What About adding a Tesla powerwall ? Its will keep the IQ7+ producing power by it's power backup or even with the powerall it will stop producing. If So, IQ8 is the one for me. I live in Florida where we have hurricanes and sometimes outages is a thing here. I really what the ability to keep the house functional on outages. Thank you for all information you've been posting. Very useful to design my own solar system.
You would want to look into the IQ8's. They can provide power during sunlight hours even when the grid is down. IQ7's do not have that technology. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I don't think even IQ8'S can be used in real off grid applications. With Enphase, as of right now, they require a grid connection of some sort. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Great video Justin! I just subscribed to your channel. Agreed that Microinverters is way to go. If your DYI viewers are on a budget, it is hard to beat a string inverter system. It comes down to how much one can spend.
The will need to be connected to a combiner box and then into your main panel. That's the most basic hookup. If you're connecting them to a battery backup solution, then there will be other components needed.
Hi, I don't have a controller on my system. I have a video on all the items it took to build my system in my solar playist. There, it might help answer all of your questions. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
So you are misinformed on one thing. The Enphase Ensemble with IQ8 micro inverters can and does run as a whole home backup. My system has 58 silfab 390 panels with 58 IQ8 micro inverters. I am running the combiner box 4 along with the smart switch. I also am running 3 IQ10 enphase batteries. This entire system produces 2.7mwh in the fall, and 1.6mwh in the winter on average. I live in west Texas. My home is a 3 bedroom 2 bath all electric home with 2000 square feet. I can run completely off grid during the every season with exception to winter. However I push enough power into the grid to cover my electricity bill during this time. Adding one more IQ10 battery should take care of my issue. When the grid goes down the smart switch is only capable of using 56 panels to form the micro grid so during outages I lose the use of two panels. It is not significant. This is a fairly big system but my goal was to be energy independent. Thus far that is exactly what I am. My electric bill was sometimes $600.00 a month. Now its zero, this system cost me $365.00 a month. Its well worth it.
I'm not sure IQ8's would back up anything significant just using sunlight power. Might want to research that a little further. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Hey Justin, is it easy to set up an off grid system for a tiny cabin in the woods What is required? One panel, one IQ8 microinverter, one IQ8 Bat for the battery?
Could be achieved for much less with a hybrid solar inverter and a battery of your choice. When it comes to off-grid only, I recommend hybrid solar inverters. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
It would be helpful an installation using a backup generator is discussed. It would seem like an IQ7 system would be adequate and more cost effective Our LP-fueld generator is an automatic connect during a power failure and is adequate for extended periods. This use of battery backup is also not necessary., eliminating both the cost, the fire risk associated with lithium batteries and increased insurance costs incurred when a battery backup is installed in the structure..
If anyone have time, I have a couple questions, I'm due to have a new system installed in the coming weeks. 14x 430w panels, IQ8M microinverters, Envoid Metered, Q Relay Controller, no battery (yet). Am I fine with the IQ8M microinverters, or am I missing something by not getting IQ8A? I have seen some recommendations that I should have a IQ Gateway, will the Envoid Metered be fine for IQ8? I have a Q Relay Controller coming, should I have a Smart Switch or IQ Load Controller for Solar Backup?
Can I use other forms of energy to power stuff in the night when the grid is down and the sun is down? Can you use petro powered generator, wind, hydro power, etc as alternative sources of power? I know the IQ8 can have a battery, but can it handle other power sources? I understand it needs controller 2 for the grid disconnect.
If you have the system and the grid connection protected by a transfer switch, you should be able to connect other sources in time of need. Generators are common backups. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject can I use a standard generator? How do the phases get in sync? If the phases are not in sync things break. If the generator is running at 61Hz instead of the normal mains 60Hz will the micro inverters adjust accordingly.
I ended up going with Bluetti ESS. It just opened up more flexibility for me since having Enphase. I have a video on that installation. Here is a link to that video: ua-cam.com/video/6X4e4pMvn8k/v-deo.html
Now IQ8 is about the same price as IQ7, but I'm not sure it's better because the output power is lower and I don't see any improvement on the spec sheet
It would be complicated to connect it, if it would even work. I have not researched that option so I am uncertain on that. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Not sure what you mean when you say you won't get full power in an outage with the IQ8? Are you saying the IQ8s somehow self-reduce their power output to say 50% or something? I don't understand.
They can only handle the essential loads in sun backup mode. For example, I could not power my electric furance, electric water heater, electric dryer, our hottub and all of the other appliances like normal... while in sun backup mode. However, you could power the essentials. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Iq 8s also require 2 load controllers and a system controller #2 the first version does not support iq8 sunlight backup In my opinion this is not what is being sold to customers they are being led to believe it will back up lots of stuff when in all reality 8 to 12 ckts on the load controller set to normally open with the router circuit left off the load controller
Getting some IQ8As for my home going to pair this with an IQ Controller 2 and the Combiner unit. I am not getting any batteries because the price doesnt seem to justify the capability. I can get a propane full house generator for the same or lesser cost of two 3KW battery units. Having the IQ controller already, which has a generator input, means I dont need to buy a smart switch or other panels. The IQ8 can provide power during the day if power goes out, bu that is a side benefit at the moment. IF batter technology improves (be it sulpher or salt) and thus becomes significantly cheaper, then I will go hard on battery and the IQ8, or I win the lottery LOL. My installer doesnt install iq7s anymore as they tend to go with the latest tech for forward capability as much as possible. The other reason is the IQ8A gives me the most power output per panel.
Same situation here, going for the Iq8's and the IQ Controller 2, which contains all that you need. It also replaces your existing transfer switch if you have the Generator, so less parts there.
Have you had a chance to test out the capacity of the system when it is only using the sunlight power backup? How does it does in the winter when the heater is on? Curious because I am thinking of switching to the IQ8 in the future. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Justin I am a Caterpillar generator tech. I'm trying to figure out how you could utilize your solar power being produced during a power outage. Is there a way to use an ATS (automatic transfer switch) to provide power to your house during a power outage? You could have your panels connected (after your combiner box) to the normal and the on to the load of the ATS and during an outage your panels would then transfer to the emergency side to then power the load. I may have missed something or whatnot I'm trying different scenarios in my head.
I'll be honest, I'm still researching options. I'm thinking about the new battery generators as backups in situations when needed. Can plug freezers, refrigerators, and other necessary appliances in to get us through a blackout. Enphase does make a Switch that can be paired to the system I got but man, it get expensive super fast. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I have a video on the cost of the system where I provide all that info. You might find that video very helpful. I got the microinverters off of eBay mostly. I picked up a couple at a time until I got all 27 of them. All were brand new also. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject I recently got a quote for 20 IQ8A and 20 460 watt Helene panels roof mounted with Snap Rack rails all up and going for $ 22,200 before the federal rebate . I think it’s more than fair compared to some of the other quotes I got prior to this one especially cause this one is loaded compared too the others using iq7 inverters? Tell me what you think?
Anyone know if you can attach 1200W worth of panel to a single 295W micro / 10kwh battery. i.e. sunrise 200W in 200W out (to grid) mid morning 600W in 295W out (to grid) 305W (to battery) Solar peak 1200W in 295W out (to grid) 895W (to battery) Evening 100W in 295W out (to grid from battery) Night 0W in 295W out (to grid from batt, until depleated) Then repeat.
I would like to find a 10KWh batt that has a programmable BMS for this. (i.e. set depletion limit to 25% and charge limit to 85%) and tie it to the panels and micro inverter. I realize MPPT would be defeated, but don't care.
I do not believe you could attach multiple solar panels into one IQ7+ or IQ8+ microinverter. To confirm that I could contact Enphase directly to see if there is an option for you. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject multiple panels would just raise the max current, and the inverter would only draw 295W from thr array. Much like a 15W USB charger can be plugged into a wall socket that can deliver 2400W. The idea here however is to include a battery to buffer things. Like poring water into a restrictive funnel. Obviously not made to do this, but with a BMS on the battery / panel of appropriate voltage, it would work.
@Andy H The max compatible wattage on a 295w IQ+ is 440watts. There are other limitations. Then, it must be grid tied, and that requires the microinverter to be commissioned via the toolkit app via Enphase. There are a lot of hurtles to overcome. Why not just use a small string inverter?
@@JustinsProject The wattage is just an optimal range. No sense putting 10,000W in front of a 295W inverter. However it makes perfect sense to put a battery in front of it.... I.e. Attach a 10kwh 48V battery to an iq7+ and it should feed the grid 295W for over 33hrs. My interest in this stems from not being re-embursed for backfeeding the grid, but doing so at just 295W means almost all of that will go to base loads... if a 300W panel averaged 1kw / day, you could run 3300W worth of panel to a single iq7/10kwh battery. Hope that makes sense.
PROBLEM: bought an IQ8HC IT CAN NOT DO OFF GRID ON IT'S OWN :( (IQ8A and EQ8H can ua-cam.com/video/TgIK6n5P06Q/v-deo.html) but not IQ8HC additional expensive boxes to go offgrid :( just found out the hard way)
I was under the impression that none of them could do true off-grid on their own. Although they could produce power when the grid was down. But... to commission them through Enphase they had to have a grid connection. I reached out to Enphase about that and they confirmed.
You are mis-representing the price difference between IQ7 and IQ8 - eg. IQ7+ is $164.50, IQ8+ is $189 - both about 300W - not "nearly double" as you say. Source: Enphase direct store.
I bought a couple of IQ7+'s for $50 each. I averaged around $85 each over the 27 (new never used) of them that I purchased. So, in my experience because I shopped around and was patient... the IQ8's were more than double. At that time, IQ8's were so new that there were no deals to be found on them. Can't always jump on the first price you find, even if it is directly from Enphase. Many distributors sell them cheaper.
Why do you have to have a system that stops when THEY shut the mains system on purpose. There is no purpose in being independent that THEY control, your freezers to destroy your food stores when SHTF arrives ,and it will happen.
You left out the most important factor. The Federal government will provide you a 30% tax credit. My state also provides a $1000 state tax credit. This is the main reason I went with the newer technology. The government (i.e. all you all) are paying for 1/3 of my equipment, That includes the labor AND the trees I needed to have removed. In total, I'm getting over $10k back into my pocket.
First i would start from explanation that all microinverters require power to work. Now the difference between iq7 and iq8 is that iq7 uses power from utility grid or backup batteries while iq8 can use solar pannel power directly without utility grid or backup batteries. That's all you need to say instead of this long long story.
Yes. Check out this page from Enphase: www4.enphase.com/en-us/enphase-advantage/reliability - Hope that clears it up. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
The microinverters in my system have died again. April 3 and again on June 15, 2023. Las Vegas had rain Thursday night through Friday morning. Enphase system shutdown. There is no notification from the system to say there is a problem. Enphase tech support suck.
this system is for those that just wanna erase part of their electricity bill, nothing else.... not a system for a home owner i think but maybe a business.
For example in my situation. Lets make a comparison to an 8kw string inverter paired with 27 optimizers. To achieve similar monitoring capabilities. Which do you think is cheaper? I put in 27 microinverters for around $2700. Then you have got to take into consider DC will use metal conduit vs schedule 80 / 40 pvc. PVC pipe and fittings are more affordable than the metal piping and the tools it takes to make the bends. There are other difference to consider that a lot of people tend to leave out. One other benefit is if one inverter fails on 27 I still have 26 producing until I can fix the issue. On a single inverter that shuts down the entire system. There are pros and cons to both systems but it definitely is more than just extreme shading. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
The failed panel's bypass diode will kick in and automatically bypass the failed panel,the same is also true for partial shading in a single inverter system
Can you provide me with the string inverter you are referring to? I have not seen one be able to bypass a single panel on a string by itself without adding optimizers. I would like to learn more on that. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@JustinsProject ua-cam.com/video/ESpsdMFEFZo/v-deo.html it's no so much the inverter as the bypass diodes in the solar panel hope the link to the video above helps
@@JustinsProject HiJustin, bypass diodes are built into the solar panels. You’ll have a hard time finding a panel without built-in bypass diodes. Part of the maintenance process of commercial solar farms is to test the proper function of the bypass diodes.
Bypass diodes reduce the impact of partial shading of a panel and if an entire panel is defective they make sure the string is still producing electricity.
This doesn’t mean that micro inverters are not useful.
@@christopherscholz Much appreciated! 🙏 Thanks for the information on that.
Your presentations are very good but it seems to me that by doing the work yourself and learning as you go along might be more expensive than going to a professional installer in the first place. Using batteries @ £2100 for 5 kWh may have been a better investment than the micro inverters as all modern PV come with bypass diodes which deals with shading, not as effectively as micro inverters perhaps
Anyone planning on doing the job themselves needs to do a course or at the very least look at as many UA-cam presentations as possible and you would be well advised not to attempt the electrical work
Thank You, I have been researching the DIY method, because we recently moved from Colorado to Florida and when we got solar in Colorado we payed someone else to do it... which was 40K+ for 7k system which had no battery backup. We used generators to power things during outages, but I kind of integrated battery backup in a way to the system. All the essential stuff in the house, I installed inline computer UPS systems, but to save money I just bought used commercial rack mount systems for large appliances and "rebuilt" them by replacing the internal batteries. Then for smaller stuff like our bedroom for the end table lights and my CPAP i used regular over the counter UPS systems. When we have power outages the refrigerator can still function for over 24hours roughly on the UPS before i am forced to give power back and hopefully by then i have connected the generator to the house and turned off the grid. Something really cool that i thought was very smartly planned out, the origional builders built our house in Colorado with the intentions of needing backup generator power yearly, so to figure out if the grid was back online, they wired the main breaker so the ceiling lights were wired into the main breaker only, then a sub-main panel ran off that panel which housed all the rest of the house, so the generator safety cutoff is on the 2nd main panel. Question: Whats your opinion on these bifacial panels that i see you can install vertically?
100% believe in the bifacial panels. Not sure about the vertical install just yet but I am in the process of building a new system that will be using bifacial panels. I hope to start testing on vertical panels sometime in the future. Spooler alert, I will not be using Enphase microinverters though. I will share more details soon.
This is the best, most informative video I have seen on solar systems. Thank You Justin.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching and commenting! 👍
With wrong information on string installation. Even if a panel fails, the whole string won't fail.
And replacing a central inverter in your basement is easier than climbing on your roof usually.
The video is biased toward micro inverter.
Central inverter with string also allows you to extend your system with a dc battery, which you cannot do with micro inverter.
@tiloalo Not biased. I have experience with a lot of different solar equipment. It really depends on the users' overall needs. There are times when I have recommended string inverters over microinverters. Other times, microinverters are the better choice. I think no matter the choice, solar is beneficial.
@DIYSolarBuilds exactly saying that it's the better choice is simply wrong. It depends on the setup. If access to the roof is difficult microinverters are not a good choice. The lifetime of an inverter is much shorter than the one of a solar panel, and replacement can be much more expensive if access is difficult.
The cost is also still higher for microinverters compared to string install.
I like your project, and thanks for sharing. One thing to note: If you panels have bypass diodes, and one of your panel goes down, the bypass diodes on this panel will let the current produced by the other panels to bypass this panel. If one of the panels has a partial shading, than it depends on the sensitivity of the diodes when they let the current bypass. Until that point, there will be some loss of power production by the other panels - to my understanding.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Just to be clear the controller is a must. Whew. You nailed that part. Well done. Most vids miss that.
Much appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Thank you for the information. You gave to it me in a dumb down version that I understand. Now I know what a IQ8 is.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I have a 9Kw solar system with Enphase IQ7 and Tesla Powerwall 2 and it the whole system works when the Grid goes down. Powers entire home and Solar can still charge Powerwall battery at the same time as run AC. Highly recommend.
You can charge the batteries even when the grid power is off? I have IQ7+ and they will not produce power without the grid being on. Yes, I can use my Bluetti backup up to power the house when the grid is down, but my IQ7's will not produce power to charge the batteries when the grid is shutdown.
all useful info with no bullshit. A+ man.
Appreciate it! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Great and easy explanation! Thanks man!
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Great vid. Balanced and informative.
Much appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Which microinverter to use for a bifacial panel giving out more than 700w peak power?
That's a high power panel. I don't think microinverters would work best for you. Maybe a string inverter with optimizers. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
How do I design a solar system that can start a appliance that requires 22 lock rotor AMPs? Does this have to do with the battery and inverter?
My first question, is that system going to be grid tied?
@@JustinsProject yes
Hey, bro. Nice review.
I own a solar company in Cali and just rocked an IQ8+ system on my own house. The cobbler's kids finally have shoes!
I was looking into the controller and elected to shitcan the idea and just use my 12kW generator which does run both houses and my well system.
I would love a battery system and tell the power company to come and get their meter but even at my prices....it ain't worth it. Yet.
I am also one of the lucky ones with a 1:1 export rate. That died for Cali in April.
Now it is 8:1 return. They screwed us hard.
The prices on those batteries are a little on the high side. I wish I could find a solution for my system also. 8:1 is ridiculous. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I'm with you brother. I had an IQ8+ system installed in my house in California back in May 2022. Got in that nice NEM 2.0 export contract with SoCal Edison before they threw that out of April 2023. I'm waiting for a bit before adding battery storage or even getting an EV once there is bi-directional charging offerings so I can use my massive EV car battery as a house backup. Being patient for now
@@ddyoder Hell yeah, good work!
Very helpful - particularly as I’m in the U.K. and getting info on the enphase inverters is hard. We have 4 panels with IQ7As at the moment with the Tesla 2 battery and gateway. We’re thinking of adding more panels but on an outbuilding. Is it as simple as wiring these into a circuit and the system will pick them up? Or do they need to be programmed to the gateway to make them work?
They should be connected to the combiner box with your existing IQ7A's. You want to make sure you are doing everything the manufacturer recommends so you can maintain a warranty on them. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject thanks so much. Challenge is we have a cabin in the garden and it’s around 100feet from the house. I was hoping to put panels on the roof of it and feet them straight in to the ring main. Only 4 panels so it would be fine for the cabling. But not sure how to get that connected to the gateway in the house due to the distance. I have internet in the cabin - wired and WiFi. Any views would be amazing
How likely is that one panel goes down vs one micro inverter popping and knocking your series mains supply circuit underneath ur panels?
It's highly unlikely that a panel or a microinverter goes out. The Enphase microinverters have a 25-year warranty. Even if a panel or microinverter goes out, it will not affect the string/branch. Only that individual panel or microinverter would be affected. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
When fitting the Iq7 do you need a unit/panel at the end of the chain before the consumer fuse box?
Hi, what do you mean by - unit/panel at the end of the chain?
@@JustinsProject thanks for the reply. I’m referring to the ac power cables coming from the solar array. Do they connect into a control panel. Or do they just connect to an ac panel. I’m in the uk. So might use different terminology. By ac panel I mean a fuse box.
Welcome from across the pond! No problem, here are three videos that might help answer those questions.
ua-cam.com/video/gKik5ZQC8dc/v-deo.html - This one shows exactly how to wire the combiner box to the Main Service Panel
ua-cam.com/video/2Nssg_WAH68/v-deo.html - This one covers the components needed to build a system like mine
ua-cam.com/video/qg399PM6DQ8/v-deo.html - This one is more of an overview of the entire wiring process
Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
I just received a quote for a 10.08KW system. 24 VSUN 420N panels with Enphase IQ8 Plus inverters with no battery backup with install for 25k. is that a good price?
Just a heads up. 24 IQ8+'s can only produce a maximum of 300w per microinverter, so the true max output rating of that system would be 7,200 watts. I would recommend IQ8A's for those panels. Those max out at 366w. That would be 8,784 total watts of output. Hope that helps.
@JustinsProject Thanks. Is there a better inverter that will output 420 watts ?
I am switching my Enphase system to Hoymiles. I am going to use HMS-1000 dual microinverters. My new panels will be 440w BiFacial. I should not experience any clipping with that setup.
It depends how much electricity you use. I have 22 panels (guessing 400W because I wasn't told specifically) with the 22 IQ8+ Micro inverters. I live in a 1550 sq ft house and it provides about 99 percent of my electricity needs during the day but I'm on the grid for evening darkness because I didn't get a battery either. The most I've ever paid in electricity usage is $55 this past August. Some months have been $0 but on average a little under $20. I still have to pay for gas and admin fees charged by Dominion, so I've never had free bills. I know my bills would be a lot higher without solar. In 2023, the solar produced 10.34 MWh.
I checked out the website, it’s awesome! Well explained video and looking forward to the next Justin!
Appreciate it 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍🏻
Thank you for all the useful information! You helped us make an informed decision!!
You are welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
If your building completely off gridd could you use the IQ7's and just tie them into the AC side of an inverter? Im thinking if you had a batterybank that could power a plane jane 2500 watt inverter and a charger hooked to the battery that plugged into an ac outlet wouldnt the IQ7 sync with the inverter and allow it to provide power to the system?
From my discussions with Enphase support, these are grid tie only. To commission them, you need a grid tied frequency. I am sure their are hacks, but I'm about positive it would void the warranty. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I went with the IQ7A and the IQ Combiner 3, paired to Canadian Solar 400W panels. I have them facing south, full Sun exposure, micro inverters are rated at 366 watts I believe, I wonder how high they’ll push my panels
I think the IQ7A's are perfect for that 400 panel.
The advantage of over power is you receive more charge at the early and later times of the day.
So, IQ7 can't produce power to my house when the Grid is off? Like in an outage ?
That's I key point for me. What About adding a Tesla powerwall ? Its will keep the IQ7+ producing power by it's power backup or even with the powerall it will stop producing. If So, IQ8 is the one for me. I live in Florida where we have hurricanes and sometimes outages is a thing here. I really what the ability to keep the house functional on outages. Thank you for all information you've been posting. Very useful to design my own solar system.
You would want to look into the IQ8's. They can provide power during sunlight hours even when the grid is down. IQ7's do not have that technology. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Could a person use IQ-8 inverters to heat water, water heating 220 volt element not hooked to the grid ?
I don't think even IQ8'S can be used in real off grid applications. With Enphase, as of right now, they require a grid connection of some sort. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject thanks, I believe your right after I read more, I wish someone would make a inverter that would do this battery less,
Great video Justin! I just subscribed to your channel. Agreed that Microinverters is way to go. If your DYI viewers are on a budget, it is hard to beat a string inverter system. It comes down to how much one can spend.
Much appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing! 👍🏻
I love the simplicity in explanation. Informative and pretty damn straight. Thanks a lot.
Much appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Impressed with your knowledge of solar 📕
Would like to get storage and new IQ8a
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
Can I get a couple of these without anything else other than connecting?
The will need to be connected to a combiner box and then into your main panel. That's the most basic hookup. If you're connecting them to a battery backup solution, then there will be other components needed.
hi there , what is the name of the controler ? thank you
Hi, I don't have a controller on my system. I have a video on all the items it took to build my system in my solar playist. There, it might help answer all of your questions. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
So you are misinformed on one thing. The Enphase Ensemble with IQ8 micro inverters can and does run as a whole home backup.
My system has 58 silfab 390 panels with 58 IQ8 micro inverters. I am running the combiner box 4 along with the smart switch. I also am running 3 IQ10 enphase batteries. This entire system produces 2.7mwh in the fall, and 1.6mwh in the winter on average. I live in west Texas.
My home is a 3 bedroom 2 bath all electric home with 2000 square feet. I can run completely off grid during the every season with exception to winter. However I push enough power into the grid to cover my electricity bill during this time. Adding one more IQ10 battery should take care of my issue. When the grid goes down the smart switch is only capable of using 56 panels to form the micro grid so during outages I lose the use of two panels. It is not significant. This is a fairly big system but my goal was to be energy independent. Thus far that is exactly what I am. My electric bill was sometimes $600.00 a month. Now its zero, this system cost me $365.00 a month. Its well worth it.
Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻
Great information Justin!
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
So to have some back up without battery when there is sun light , i would need the iq8 ,and and a conbiner box ? anything else ? thank you
I'm not sure IQ8's would back up anything significant just using sunlight power. Might want to research that a little further. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Thanks Justin for info.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Hey Justin, is it easy to set up an off grid system for a tiny cabin in the woods What is required? One panel, one IQ8 microinverter, one IQ8 Bat for the battery?
Could be achieved for much less with a hybrid solar inverter and a battery of your choice. When it comes to off-grid only, I recommend hybrid solar inverters. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
can you comment on power difference between IQ7+ vs IQ7A?
Peak power on the +'s is 295w. Peak power on the A's is 366w. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject Thanks a lot
Whatever you do, stay online. There are semi regular software updates for both the micro inverters and the Envoy.
True. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, good explaination.
Thank you for watching and commenting 👍🏻
It would be helpful an installation using a backup generator is discussed. It would seem like an IQ7 system would be adequate and more cost effective Our LP-fueld generator is an automatic connect during a power failure and is adequate for extended periods. This use of battery backup is also not necessary., eliminating both the cost, the fire risk associated with lithium batteries and increased insurance costs incurred when a battery backup is installed in the structure..
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
If anyone have time, I have a couple questions, I'm due to have a new system installed in the coming weeks.
14x 430w panels, IQ8M microinverters, Envoid Metered, Q Relay Controller, no battery (yet).
Am I fine with the IQ8M microinverters, or am I missing something by not getting IQ8A?
I have seen some recommendations that I should have a IQ Gateway, will the Envoid Metered be fine for IQ8?
I have a Q Relay Controller coming, should I have a Smart Switch or IQ Load Controller for Solar Backup?
With 430w panels, I would definitely go with the IQ8A's.
So helpful. Thank you sir
Glad it was helpful, you are welcome 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Awesome content brother, appreciate the info!
Appreciate it! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Can I use other forms of energy to power stuff in the night when the grid is down and the sun is down? Can you use petro powered generator, wind, hydro power, etc as alternative sources of power? I know the IQ8 can have a battery, but can it handle other power sources? I understand it needs controller 2 for the grid disconnect.
If you have the system and the grid connection protected by a transfer switch, you should be able to connect other sources in time of need. Generators are common backups. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject can I use a standard generator? How do the phases get in sync? If the phases are not in sync things break. If the generator is running at 61Hz instead of the normal mains 60Hz will the micro inverters adjust accordingly.
Great video, I would love to get a home battery eventually, but how do these IQ7 inverters work with a home battery?
I ended up going with Bluetti ESS. It just opened up more flexibility for me since having Enphase. I have a video on that installation. Here is a link to that video: ua-cam.com/video/6X4e4pMvn8k/v-deo.html
@@JustinsProject Perfect thank you!
IDEA: imho you could run IQ7 also #offgrid you just need to "simulate" a grid by giving them some AC power source like a generator?
Thanks for watching and commenting
Now IQ8 is about the same price as IQ7, but I'm not sure it's better because the output power is lower and I don't see any improvement on the spec sheet
Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
Amigo ele é próprio para o sistema off grid
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Great video, could a small IQ8 system (2-4 panels?) act as a mini grid to keep the IQ7's running in a grid down situation?
It would be complicated to connect it, if it would even work. I have not researched that option so I am uncertain on that. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Enphase would not allow that in an approved design situation the 7s would need to be shed because they would cause grid instability
great info i hope to go solar in a year or two
Good luck! I still have a lot more to share. Hope to be able to share most of it with everyone. Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
Not sure what you mean when you say you won't get full power in an outage with the IQ8? Are you saying the IQ8s somehow self-reduce their power output to say 50% or something? I don't understand.
They can only handle the essential loads in sun backup mode. For example, I could not power my electric furance, electric water heater, electric dryer, our hottub and all of the other appliances like normal... while in sun backup mode. However, you could power the essentials. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
What is the price for a kwh in the US? With low price, the system should take very long to return investment
I've heard it ranges from 0.08 per kWh up to 0.38 per kWh. It really just depends on the location. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Many Off grid inverters will AC couple to Enphase inverters which will solve the grid down loss of power.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Iq 8s also require 2 load controllers and a system controller #2 the first version does not support iq8 sunlight backup
In my opinion this is not what is being sold to customers they are being led to believe it will back up lots of stuff when in all reality 8 to 12 ckts on the load controller set to normally open with the router circuit left off the load controller
I'll look further into this. Thanks for watching and commenting. 👍
Getting some IQ8As for my home going to pair this with an IQ Controller 2 and the Combiner unit. I am not getting any batteries because the price doesnt seem to justify the capability. I can get a propane full house generator for the same or lesser cost of two 3KW battery units. Having the IQ controller already, which has a generator input, means I dont need to buy a smart switch or other panels. The IQ8 can provide power during the day if power goes out, bu that is a side benefit at the moment. IF batter technology improves (be it sulpher or salt) and thus becomes significantly cheaper, then I will go hard on battery and the IQ8, or I win the lottery LOL. My installer doesnt install iq7s anymore as they tend to go with the latest tech for forward capability as much as possible. The other reason is the IQ8A gives me the most power output per panel.
Awesome stuff! Congrats 👏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Same situation here, going for the Iq8's and the IQ Controller 2, which contains all that you need. It also replaces your existing transfer switch if you have the Generator, so less parts there.
For me, the IQ8 means I will have my backup power during a blackout.
Have you had a chance to test out the capacity of the system when it is only using the sunlight power backup? How does it does in the winter when the heater is on? Curious because I am thinking of switching to the IQ8 in the future. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Justin I am a Caterpillar generator tech. I'm trying to figure out how you could utilize your solar power being produced during a power outage. Is there a way to use an ATS (automatic transfer switch) to provide power to your house during a power outage? You could have your panels connected (after your combiner box) to the normal and the on to the load of the ATS and during an outage your panels would then transfer to the emergency side to then power the load. I may have missed something or whatnot I'm trying different scenarios in my head.
I'll be honest, I'm still researching options. I'm thinking about the new battery generators as backups in situations when needed. Can plug freezers, refrigerators, and other necessary appliances in to get us through a blackout. Enphase does make a Switch that can be paired to the system I got but man, it get expensive super fast. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I’m new to this solar stuff. No questions yet. Lol but want to say thanks, you seem like a genuine guy. Thanks for helping so many people.
If you use the iq8+, you don’t need to use the “solar backup”. There are settings that let you use the iq8’s without buying the controller.
@@Scoobydue420 Awesome, thank you for that information.
You will need to use IQ8 micro inverters and an ats to run off grid. IQ7 will not work.
where do you buy IQ7 or IQ7+s for $100? Can you please let me know?
I have a video on the cost of the system where I provide all that info. You might find that video very helpful. I got the microinverters off of eBay mostly. I picked up a couple at a time until I got all 27 of them. All were brand new also. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I have 21 on my roof the are brilliant.
Awesome! Which models are you using with what size panels? Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Great information thank you
Glad it helped. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Good info ........Thank You!
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject I recently got a quote for 20 IQ8A and 20 460 watt Helene panels roof mounted with Snap Rack rails all up and going for $ 22,200 before the federal rebate . I think it’s more than fair compared to some of the other quotes I got prior to this one especially cause this one is loaded compared too the others using iq7 inverters? Tell me what you think?
@Blake Martin If that's an out-the-door total price and is a reputable installer in your area, that is definitely a fair price.
Thanks. Very well done.
Much appreciate - Thank you for watching and commenting 👍
Excellent informational video.
Appreciate it! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Excellent review! Relevant to the UK 🇬🇧
Hi from across the pond! Cheers! Thanks for watching and commenting!
these are great if you want to make each solar panel cost twice as much.
It really just depends on the needs of the system owner. Plus, the warranty isn't bad either. 25yrs. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
* Modern "string " panels still produce energy even if one is down (due to diodes)... this might have been an issue in the past!
Thanks for watching and commenting
I always learn something in your video's . you should be installing the systems to make a little money or just hire on as a consultant
I woukd start offering services like that if there really was a market for it. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Anyone know if you can attach 1200W worth of panel to a single 295W micro / 10kwh battery.
i.e. sunrise 200W in 200W out (to grid)
mid morning 600W in 295W out (to grid) 305W (to battery)
Solar peak 1200W in 295W out (to grid) 895W (to battery)
Evening 100W in 295W out (to grid from battery)
Night 0W in 295W out (to grid from batt, until depleated)
Then repeat.
I would like to find a 10KWh batt that has a programmable BMS for this. (i.e. set depletion limit to 25% and charge limit to 85%) and tie it to the panels and micro inverter.
I realize MPPT would be defeated, but don't care.
I do not believe you could attach multiple solar panels into one IQ7+ or IQ8+ microinverter. To confirm that I could contact Enphase directly to see if there is an option for you. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject multiple panels would just raise the max current, and the inverter would only draw 295W from thr array.
Much like a 15W USB charger can be plugged into a wall socket that can deliver 2400W.
The idea here however is to include a battery to buffer things.
Like poring water into a restrictive funnel.
Obviously not made to do this, but with a BMS on the battery / panel of appropriate voltage, it would work.
@Andy H The max compatible wattage on a 295w IQ+ is 440watts. There are other limitations. Then, it must be grid tied, and that requires the microinverter to be commissioned via the toolkit app via Enphase. There are a lot of hurtles to overcome. Why not just use a small string inverter?
@@JustinsProject The wattage is just an optimal range. No sense putting 10,000W in front of a 295W inverter. However it makes perfect sense to put a battery in front of it....
I.e. Attach a 10kwh 48V battery to an iq7+ and it should feed the grid 295W for over 33hrs.
My interest in this stems from not being re-embursed for backfeeding the grid, but doing so at just 295W means almost all of that will go to base loads...
if a 300W panel averaged 1kw / day, you could run 3300W worth of panel to a single iq7/10kwh battery.
Hope that makes sense.
Good video,
Appreciate it! Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
Are you talk about clipping with micro inverters yet? You don’t look like you have any shading issues.
Yes, I have a video on clipping in my solar playlist. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
PROBLEM: bought an IQ8HC IT CAN NOT DO OFF GRID ON IT'S OWN :( (IQ8A and EQ8H can ua-cam.com/video/TgIK6n5P06Q/v-deo.html) but not IQ8HC additional expensive boxes to go offgrid :( just found out the hard way)
I was under the impression that none of them could do true off-grid on their own. Although they could produce power when the grid was down. But... to commission them through Enphase they had to have a grid connection. I reached out to Enphase about that and they confirmed.
You are mis-representing the price difference between IQ7 and IQ8 - eg. IQ7+ is $164.50, IQ8+ is $189 - both about 300W - not "nearly double" as you say. Source: Enphase direct store.
I bought a couple of IQ7+'s for $50 each. I averaged around $85 each over the 27 (new never used) of them that I purchased. So, in my experience because I shopped around and was patient... the IQ8's were more than double. At that time, IQ8's were so new that there were no deals to be found on them. Can't always jump on the first price you find, even if it is directly from Enphase. Many distributors sell them cheaper.
Why do you have to have a system that stops when THEY shut the mains system on purpose. There is no purpose in being independent that THEY control, your freezers to destroy your food stores when SHTF arrives ,and it will happen.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Dexter Tunnel
Thanks for watching and commenting!
You left out the most important factor. The Federal government will provide you a 30% tax credit. My state also provides a $1000 state tax credit. This is the main reason I went with the newer technology. The government (i.e. all you all) are paying for 1/3 of my equipment, That includes the labor AND the trees I needed to have removed. In total, I'm getting over $10k back into my pocket.
I have a couple of other videos on that. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Not in the uk. Just no VAT.
Hyatt Inlet
???
Erna Mountains
Thanks for watching and commenting
First i would start from explanation that all microinverters require power to work.
Now the difference between iq7 and iq8 is that iq7 uses power from utility grid or backup batteries while iq8 can use solar pannel power directly without utility grid or backup batteries.
That's all you need to say instead of this long long story.
Thanks for the feedback
3:02 “a Million hours of testing”? So they tested it for 114 years?
Yes. Check out this page from Enphase: www4.enphase.com/en-us/enphase-advantage/reliability - Hope that clears it up. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
👍🏻
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Renner Meadows
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Josephine Common
Thanks for watching and commenting
No clear advantage in case of IQ8. The controller is a single point of failure, just like a single string inverter which costs much much less
I am not using a controller. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
The microinverters in my system have died again. April 3 and again on June 15, 2023. Las Vegas had rain Thursday night through Friday morning. Enphase system shutdown. There is no notification from the system to say there is a problem. Enphase tech support suck.
Thanks for sharing. Hopefully, they get you resolved quickly. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Rodriguez Valley
???
this system is for those that just wanna erase part of their electricity bill, nothing else.... not a system for a home owner i think but maybe a business.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Apsystems is the best enphase are scammers stealing watts of Ur panels
I would like to test out APsystems.
@@JustinsProject the are the best m
@@JustinsProject Iq8mc is Max 330 of Ur using 450 watt panelen
With apsystems ds3 the Will come 450 watt out
Unless you got extreme shadow conditions I see little benefit in micro invertors
For example in my situation. Lets make a comparison to an 8kw string inverter paired with 27 optimizers. To achieve similar monitoring capabilities. Which do you think is cheaper? I put in 27 microinverters for around $2700. Then you have got to take into consider DC will use metal conduit vs schedule 80 / 40 pvc. PVC pipe and fittings are more affordable than the metal piping and the tools it takes to make the bends. There are other difference to consider that a lot of people tend to leave out. One other benefit is if one inverter fails on 27 I still have 26 producing until I can fix the issue. On a single inverter that shuts down the entire system. There are pros and cons to both systems but it definitely is more than just extreme shading. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Simplicity for one. The next house I’m building will have 20 panels and microinverters feeding a rapid shutdown box and straight into the panel.
Would be nice if you not walk circles, I feel seasick and lost the plot
My apologies. I have a tough time remaining in one spot. Thanks for the feedback.