EASY - Wire your own Solar System Using Enphase Microinverters
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- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2022
- How to wire a solar system using Enphase Micro Inverters. You can wire a solar system using an Enphase microinverter. In this video, I will provide an overview of the wiring of a solar system using Enphase micro-inverters. It is not as hard as it might sound.
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I think Ive found my home for solar DIY videos
Much appreciated 🙏 I am glad to help as much as I can.
I love your videos. I am learning so much
Much appreciated 🙏 I'm glad I can help. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
You did an awesome job explaining this system. You gave us the wire sizes and the number of wires to each branch! You gave us a great amount of detail. So many videos just show the wire and don't give us details. Thanks.
Much appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Great video and hope others learn from it too! Thanks!
Much appreciated! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
Thanks for the ground connection information. Very good to know.
Your welcome 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProjectSo did you use stranded copper wire to ground the ironridge racks? I was under the impression #6 solid copper was required to be run between the racks. Also do some inverters have an integrated ground system? Specifically, the Hoymiles 1600-NT? If the micro-inverters have integrated ground wire, what would the ground wiring be? And thanks for the great videos!!
DIY is great!
Much appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Nice work!
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
From Puerto Rico...Thank you for the Details...Idid it myself...
Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Nice job! I'm in the middle of DIY project with enphase iq8+ and combiner box. Very helpful explanation
I have a video on just the combiner box and AC Disconnect switch install. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
great info
Appreciate it 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
It is so good knowledge of solar installation, I just searching these information and I found this video, thanks Justin，it‘s so great！
I'm glad it was helpful. I have a solar playlist that might help even more. Consider checking out those videos also. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Perfect, looking at doing our own install with the IQ's here and this is great stuff!
Much appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻 Goodluck btw it feels nice to do it yourself
Thanks for doing your videos, you’ve taught me somethings. I’m a master electrician but have never done solar.
We all learning together 😁 Solar is constantly evolving but with your background it will be a soft learning curve. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Thanks Justin! I just finished my 3kW Enphase system installation and am getting ready to request an inspect. What I couldn't find anywhere was a common sense demonstration of labeling. I'm following your examples by taking screenshots of your video. The Enphase combiner box looks so clean on my house, I didn't want to plaster it with tons of stickers! I figure I'll start with the minimum and if it fails the inspection I can always add more.
Awesome stuff! If you used Lyrasolar.com to design your solar permit package they provide what labels and where they are to be installed. Goodluck and advanced congrats on going solar! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject Annnddd I just bothered to open the pamphlet that comes with the pack of stickers and found the diagram that says where to put what! lol
@@MarknKC66 🤣 Solved that problem. Have you passed the inspection yet?
@@JustinsProject Yes I passed inspection. First try.
@@MarknKC66 Awesome brotha! 👌 Rock'n solar now and you did it!!!
Thanks for the great video!
Wouldn’t happen to have where you got the junction box? Amazon link perhaps?
I picked up the Solobox from Yale Electric but here is a link from another supplier: www.invertersupply.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=199542&gclid=CjwKCAjwitShBhA6EiwAq3RqA7LrxFBiLdUMcvqPz103grC5buAXcjhIvCnxYuxh7-HSGAB3uPGlaxoC_-gQAvD_BwE
Sadly, it is not sold on Amazon. However you may need the Dinkle Assembly I used in the Solobox which I purchased off Amazon. Here is the link to that: amzn.to/3MCnqdJ
Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Hello, thank you for the great videos. I’m looking to install an Enphase system. You did an awesome job on the installation. Which software did you use for design?
Much appreciated 🙏 I used lyrasolar.com Those guys always responded to my questions almost immediately and walked me through any problems I encountered. Goodluck! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
great diy!
You should add the consumption ct's. They are a great add on to the system.
Just wanted to add that you only need the continuous #6 ground with no breaks on the roof portion of the system. Once in the JB you can make break and switch it for a #12 like the other wires. This will same you a bunch of money on the long run from the array to your home.
The array needs #6 ground wire for mechanical protection because it is installed in free air between the rails. Once in pipe it doesn't have to be #6 anymore.
I installed the consumption CT's in another video: ruclips.net/video/37bNk42GG8Q/видео.html - The electrical inspector advised that I was to install that ground from the rails to the combiner. Enable to pass inspection I followed his advice and ran it from the rails to the combiner box with no breaks. Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
@@JustinsProject every AHJ is different. It’s always best to do what they recommend.
@@stephenvezina2314 True 👍🏻 I realized very quickly that a lot of people involved in the process. Inspector, Zoning, Deed Restrictions, Utility Company and in some cases even neighbors. I learned a lot and I'm glad I got it completed and operational in a fair timeframe.
Great video series, very helpful! What kind of conduit did you run from the junction boxes into your attic? The same PVC40?
Much appreciated 🙏 Anything outside that is exposed is schedule 80. Everything else was schedule 40 electrical conduit. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject Thanks!
Much much MUCH appreciate the info mate. I couldn’t for the life of me wrap my head around the micro inverters. 🤘🏼
Any chance you could do a simplified diagram on a whiteboard or something?
Why did you go with micro inverters instead the traditional string inverter or other options?
Very good question and suggestion. I will see if I can put together a nice presentation for how I installed my system on a digital whiteboard. I choose to go with enphase microinverters for a number of reason. #1 if "one" panel is affected only that panel is troubled and not the entire array. If one microinverter fails I still have 26 panels producing. On a single string inverter if that inverter has problems, the entire system has trouble. I can monitor each panel's production using the enphase enlighten app. I personally love the level of detail it provides. AC vs DC - allowed me to use Schedule 40 and SCH 80 pvc vs Metal Conduit. So we will just call that one ease of install. I didn't have to buy any additional tools. The list goes on but that is a few of the reasons. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Justin, Love the detail of the video series of the install on a metal roof building. I am trying to get the same type of system installed. I have a couple questions. 1. Did you space your connection on the roof to attached to the perlins or wherever they worked out according to the dimensions? I am thinking about running rails up and down the roof so I can connect the feet to the perlins that are on 2' centers. 2. How did you mitigate the voltage rise with the number of inverters and the length of run to the combiner box?
I designed the layout in portrait layout because that allowed my rails to run with the purlins allowing me to space the Solar Foot brackets at the recommended spacing. Also, felt it was a better option for load distribution. That all depends on the rail system you are using and the model of that system. Voltage rise was calculated using a Vrise calculator. I did not max my branches out with the highest number of microinverters so it was easy for me. I put 9 inverters on 3 branches for a total of 27. I do wish I would have used #10 wire but #12 was recommended and will handle up to the 13 total inverters on one branch. The only reason I would say #10 now is that if I expand later I will have to revisit the vrise. You can help that by making a cut in the branch, adding a field splice then running that to your jbox. However, increasing your homerun wire size is the most common method. Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
What is the distance between your arrays and Enphase Combiner box? Thanks great job with your system.
@@JustinsProject
@@abdervish Roughly 100 - 110 ft total wire length.
Hi Justin, nice work, did you install a grounding rod at the garage site and make connection to the grounding wire, in addition to bringing the ground wire with your L1 and L2 to your combiner box, how did you decide 6 gauge for the ground wire?
The ground wire is considered to be equipment, so that needed to run from the racking to the combiner box to the main service. Due to the manufacturers recommendation, I went with 6ga wire on the ground. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
There were many interesting aspects to this - and Well Done and thanks for making it. There were also two disappointing ones from the perspective of someone seeing your videos for the first time. I chose this one to watch because the title said "Wire your own Solar System...." and from this title, expected at least some context and a wiring diagram to show the whole picture, before you dived into specific detail in one corner (of the diagram) and started to refer to other components I was hearing about for the first time. Which was confusing, especially when also working out as you went along, a translation from your terms (such as 'branch' when others would use 'string'). The other thing that would help is if you were to give a summary & links in the description section of your other videos which TOGETHER do give the full picture, and the SEQUENCE in which to watch them to avoid references to things not previously seen. That big picture (especially the wiring diagram) would prompt me to give a BIG thumbs up, and to plan to look at the other videos, knowing I'd be getting a gradually-built rather than a disjointed picture. All the best, from a new - but probably once-only - viewer.
I appreciate the valuable feedback. I try to improve with each video I put out. Hopefully, you stumble across some of my new and improved videos and notice that I have been hard at work with improving my presentation skills. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
OK, very good video. What are the solar software programs you recommend?
OOOOps, I see the answer below. THanks again!
I used Lyrasolar.com but I hear that they are now waitlisting DIY'ers. Shame on them. Try Ironridge Design Assistant that might be a great alternative for you. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Have you made a field enphase MC4 connector? does the male positive have to go to the female positive. I just made one and I'm unsure if I have positive to positive and I cannot take it apart to check. Thanks
You can only snap them in one way. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Hey Justin, great video. For the envoy, does it require Ethernet? I’m planning on having my combiner box mounted at the ground mount location, about 250 feet from the electrical panel location. I’m trying to discern if I need to run Ethernet out to the combiner box? Thanks!
You have 3 options that I k ow of.Run the ethernet cable, use a quality wifi extender, or get the enphase LTE wireless modem add-on. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject thx!
Since your barn is not a dwelling can you get away with not have stand-off 3ft from Edge so you can use whole roof?
That is risky, it literally comes down each jurisdiction that approves the solar permit. I did not want to risk it and 27 panels was all I needed. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Hey Justin (yet another) question for you. My AC Disconnect is arriving today and I'll be installing it immediately. Im getting the same one you have. I see on the top there appears to be a removable plate that allows a conduit to attach on. Am I correct in assuming that this is made for steel conduit and thus was why you entered from the top left instead of center? Thanks!
There were couple of reasons I choose the location I did. 1st it was harder to find an adapter than it was to use the connections I did. 2nd, had to do with how the entry would go into the combiner box and the rear exit I was putting into the garage wall cavity. Plus that electric service I installed for the building was in my way to the left. Short answer, yes it was made for ridgid pipe and I wasn't willing to use that and make other adjustments needed, so I opted for the sch 80 pipe.
@@JustinsProject Ahh, that makes sense. Im having issues of my own with adapters, in my case finding weatherproof fittings for connecting the conduit / combiner box
I used standard pvc threaded ends and added bushings to protect the wires. Then glued it up.
@@JustinsProject Nice, I have threaded ends. Ill go grab some bushings, thanks man!
Were the Enphase IQ 8 mini inverters available when you did this ? and why did you choose the IQ 7's? I'm debating which to use for a system for my brother. I have had an enphase setup for about 9 years now using the M215 and M 250's . 5K system.
Yes they were available at the time I installed this (Summer of 2022) and I would recommend the IQ8's over the IQ7's since they can offer Sunlight Backup. However, if you are in a situation like I was and budget was the issue then IQ7's are great and I am extremely happy with mine. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
I just looked and the IQ7 are $179 and the IQ8's are $167. They only have 1 in stock for the IQ7 vs 500+ for the IQ8. The days of $100 micro inverters are gone with inflation. I think my IQ7 were $116 a few years ago. -
@@ScoutD300 I'm finding IQ8A's for $199. The IQ8's allow the mini grid option.
Can I ask you a few questions, maybe I missed your install video but I couldn't find it...
On you barn did you install on the purlins or rafters? My purlins are offset, can you account for this with the iron ridge L feet? Or did you add in 2x4s on the top of each rafter?
Next question why did you run your solar back to the main meter instead of adding them to your barns subpanel? My barn is about 125ft away from the main panel, I am planning on a 30kw system which running back adds a huge cost.
I have purlins on the roof of the shop. They run on top of the trusses 2ft O.C.. If you have a metal roof like my sytle, look into S5 solar foot. They pair great with the metal and the ironridge components. I was required to run it next close to the main service entrance. To get approved for my solar permit. Hope that was helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
You got two red lights for communication and production. You have at least one panel not communicating and producing.
Everything is working as normal. I have had an issue at the jbox. It has to do with the Enphase connector on the drop cable. I'm not a fan of that setup. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
2:40 Isn’t the two leg lugs on the left in the fuse disconnect L1 Black and right two lugs L2 Red. Is there a reason that it’s switched here?
Switched? Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
How many inspections did you have to pass and what were they? Thanks
1 electrical inspection. First had to apply for a permit which requires a solar permit package. Then I built the system and called the inspector to come review. That's about it. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Be sure to check your locality and with the permits department in your county/city.
The utility company may be involved and you may be required to have a Bi-directional meter or update your current meter's programing to account for solar grid feed.
Hey Justin, is that AC Disconnect DG222NRB for outdoors? It seems like it doesnt have a weather gasket(?) Im only asking because I have to buy my own now for my system and obviously yours passed inspection
This is a NEMA 3R Safety Switch. Which is rated for outdoor use. The cheapest place I could find that box was on amazon. Here is a link if you decide to get it: amzn.to/3Dz4Cps
@@JustinsProject Youre the man Justin, thanks. I checked out the Eaton site while I was waiting on your response. Much obliged.
@@JustinsProject My 13 panels are all up so Im down to combiner box and disconnect. Your vids have been so useful in preparing / understanding the wiring that Im about to do.
Awesome! You are getting close to having an operational system. Connecting the Combiner Box and A/C Disconnect was my favorite part. Goodluck!
@@JustinsProject I bet, it feels so close to the finish line at that point. My inspection is the 14th, and hopefully new meter that day or close after.
Hi Justin, to setup the system with Enphase did you have to do the university course and purchase the Enlighten manager to setup the system with Enphase? I just installed a 6.3kw system, passed county inspections, waiting for Duke energy to change the meter over. I went to download the enphase toolkit app and I was told I needed to take a course, spent 7 hours taking a course, now I'm told I have to upgrade for $249 or $9.99 a month to the Enlighten Manager which allows you to setup the system. Any advice would be helpful please..
Congrats on the new solar system!! I did take the courses, but that was after I had already installed the toolkit. I created an installer account before even installing my system. I did not have to pay or upgrade anything. Try calling Enphase and speaking to Tech Support and let them know you were the installer and that you are certified through their cert program. Installer Tech support might be more helpful than just customer service in this situation. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
@@JustinsProject I'll give them a call, thanks for the fast response. Do you pay a monthly fee to view all the data from your system?
@@JustinsProject do you remember where you went to create an installer account? Seems like they don't make it easy..
I do not pay monthly for the service, it is free.
I have an android device, so I downloaded it from the Play Store.
I have an enphase iq combiner box that requires a password. Last owner had refused to apply the password to this day. I'm trying to Bypass the password. Also the system was hooked to the grid but thieves cut working and took fuses before we bought the property when it was vacant. I'm trying to switch system to off grid. Is that possible?
It does sound like a bad situation but... Have you reached out to Enphase support? They are usually very helpful. I think if you could provide proof that you own the system, they would be willing to help you get that resolved.
I'm confused on how you went from 3-20 amp breakers to a 60 amp disconnect to then a 45 amp breaker inside your panel? They are telling me I would have to derate my panel because I have to put a 60 amp breaker inside my main panel
It took me some time to wrap my head around that idea also. A design tool you can use for free to help you design your system is lyrasolar.com - You only pay once you need to finalize the design for print. Personally, once I started designing the actual system I started to grasp the reasoning of why I was doing certain things. In short that 45 amp breaker was rated at the max size breaker I could install for the solar due to the max bus rating of my box, which is 225 amps. 225 x 120% = 45amp - Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting. 👍
Bus max - main breaker = max solar breaker size.
You need to down size your main to 175 with a 45 amp solar breaker.
The NEC 120% rule allows solar PV equipment to be installed in electrical boxes up to 120% of the installed electrical equipment safety label rating. So, my main max bus rating is 225. 225 x 120% = 270. 270 - 200 = 70amp max for the solar breaker. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Is he going to bury those LB's!
No, I put them behind a panel. Here is the video where I finish that area, so you can see how I did it. ruclips.net/video/o4hYmbJB408/видео.html - Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Sound??? CC works.
What do you mean... Sound???
@@JustinsProject when your video is playing the “flashback” segments, there is no audio.
I just figured out what issue is. I was listening with my earbuds but only the right one was in my ear. There was no sound on the right channel.. I listened to it again without my earbuds and it comes thru fine. It’s only coming through the left side. Lol. Awesome videos.
@@tommywiseguy That might be my fault actually. My microphone might have gotten switched to 2 channels rather than recording both on one. Sorry about that. Lots to remember as a one guy production 🤣
No worries. I turned on the captions and got the info. I’ll be starting my own diy solar systems because of your videos.
3 mins 16 sec
Surely it should be "line in" to "load out" not that it would make any difference to the fuse operation but you could have saved so cable.
Line in is correct. The line side is on the side of where the main service panel is being connected. Because I explained it from the solar system down, it might get a little confusing. If we take this in reverse from ths SP to the solar disconnect switch, the "LINE" side is coming in, and the "LOAD" side is heading out towards the system. Hope that helps clear that up. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
I didn’t fully understand your junction box on the roof …
If you have any questions, let me know, and I will try to help you out. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Hate it when people have to poke around with their fingers in electrical boxes. Deenergized or not. Just bad habit.
Thx for watching and commenting
Have you considered a battery solution to go with your Enphase Solar? I want to but looking for install/design videos. Thought you may have gone through this. I have found your install videos quite helpful and now have a great understanding of what I had installed 5 years ago. I would love to not have to sell back my excess Solar...
I haven't yet. I might in the future. Battery costs are very expensive, though. If I do, I will definitely share that install also. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻