I really like the use of multiple redundant microinverters as part of the platform...really wish it were possible to buy the IQ8s alone to add to our DIY batteries. Using a pile of m250s or IQ7s is still possible with another inverter to provide the grid reference..but still..
Thanks so much for recording these. Keep going. Question - you mentioned micro inverters for offgrid. Do you need specific inverter which creates grid for them, or it could be any hybrid/offgrid with pure sine?
Typically, yes. You need an inverter which will form a microgrid allowing the microinverters to AC couple with it and charge the battery. It also needs to be able to shut those microinverters off somehow, whether it be through frequency shifting or a relay. With the Enphase Ensemble system, there are IQ8 micros in the batteries that form the microgrid but the cool part is, the system has direct control of the roof micros, allowing them to throttle up and down as needed.
@@benssolarandbattery am I getting this correct - if inverter can't shut down AC coupled grid tie inverters/microinverter they will rise AC voltage to the sky?
@@cnc-ua no, it will most likely raise the battery voltage above setpoints until it hits high voltage shut off. Grid Tie inverters will typically only go up to 264vac before they shut off.
@@cnc-ua You are correct. If you are using a battery backup system (or other grid forming inverter) which is AC coupled to your microinverters, if the backup system can't shift the frequency of the AC, the microinverters excess power will damage the backup system and/or batteries - and bad power for your loads. Your backup system or grid forming inverter needs to support AC coupling. El-cheapo Growatt is a no go, need something like Outback or Schneider - or similar. It also typically needs to be sized to be that or greater than your solar, as the curtailment or on/off adjustments are not instant, and the inverter and batteries need to accept full power at times. Enphase does this nice in their own ecosystem, but many things to consider if using mixed vendor components.
This place looks familiar to me. Has it been featured in another video that you're aware of? Keep them coming, Ben, I enjoy you and each video you put out!
You can do the legacy upgrade program for the m series and they will give you IQ7 pd (powered down) at around $70 a panel. including the trunk cable. this is the best option if your lookong to expand the existing array with high output panels
Ensemble with legacy M250's!! Thank you. I've got 48 M250's, and I'm wondering how this works. I understand the M250's get new firmware and are then controlled by frequency shifting. But I wonder if you can explain how it works from there.... Does it actually throttle the M250 output as needed so, for example, house loads can be solar powered even when the battery is fully charged? Or is it just on-off control that requires reserved capacity in the battery?
I'm wondering. In the event of a grid down event, would a computer connected to an Enphase battery backup system reboot? Would you recommend a UPS? thanks
Thanks for the system overview Ben! Can you show us inside the Smart Switch on the next one? Thanks!
I really like the use of multiple redundant microinverters as part of the platform...really wish it were possible to buy the IQ8s alone to add to our DIY batteries. Using a pile of m250s or IQ7s is still possible with another inverter to provide the grid reference..but still..
Just goes to show ya some people have been enlightened for a while.
They are NICE looking.. Thanks for sharing brother. God Bless.
Thanks so much for recording these. Keep going.
Question - you mentioned micro inverters for offgrid. Do you need specific inverter which creates grid for them, or it could be any hybrid/offgrid with pure sine?
Typically, yes. You need an inverter which will form a microgrid allowing the microinverters to AC couple with it and charge the battery. It also needs to be able to shut those microinverters off somehow, whether it be through frequency shifting or a relay.
With the Enphase Ensemble system, there are IQ8 micros in the batteries that form the microgrid but the cool part is, the system has direct control of the roof micros, allowing them to throttle up and down as needed.
@@benssolarandbattery am I getting this correct - if inverter can't shut down AC coupled grid tie inverters/microinverter they will rise AC voltage to the sky?
@@benssolarandbattery and thank you for your response.
I appreciate
@@cnc-ua no, it will most likely raise the battery voltage above setpoints until it hits high voltage shut off. Grid Tie inverters will typically only go up to 264vac before they shut off.
@@cnc-ua You are correct. If you are using a battery backup system (or other grid forming inverter) which is AC coupled to your microinverters, if the backup system can't shift the frequency of the AC, the microinverters excess power will damage the backup system and/or batteries - and bad power for your loads. Your backup system or grid forming inverter needs to support AC coupling. El-cheapo Growatt is a no go, need something like Outback or Schneider - or similar. It also typically needs to be sized to be that or greater than your solar, as the curtailment or on/off adjustments are not instant, and the inverter and batteries need to accept full power at times. Enphase does this nice in their own ecosystem, but many things to consider if using mixed vendor components.
This place looks familiar to me. Has it been featured in another video that you're aware of? Keep them coming, Ben, I enjoy you and each video you put out!
Not that I'm aware of, but it is a very unique property!
You can do the legacy upgrade program for the m series and they will give you IQ7 pd (powered down) at around $70 a panel. including the trunk cable. this is the best option if your lookong to expand the existing array with high output panels
We did consider it, but would have cost the customer an extra few thousand dollars and really wasn't necessary.
@@benssolarandbattery Glad too see you explored all the options. Can you still buy new m series inverters?
Nice video Sir 👍
Ensemble with legacy M250's!! Thank you. I've got 48 M250's, and I'm wondering how this works. I understand the M250's get new firmware and are then controlled by frequency shifting. But I wonder if you can explain how it works from there.... Does it actually throttle the M250 output as needed so, for example, house loads can be solar powered even when the battery is fully charged? Or is it just on-off control that requires reserved capacity in the battery?
I'm wondering. In the event of a grid down event, would a computer connected to an Enphase battery backup system reboot? Would you recommend a UPS? thanks
The transfer time is very fast. All of your electronics will stay on. It wouldn't hurt to use a UPS but you should be fine without it.
Is this in New England by any chance?
It is.
What kind of batteries did they had before?
They had an old 24v system with Rolls lead acid batteries.
Noice ! 👍