3. Photovoltaic Cell
Building Block of PV Modules
Each cell produces .5 Vdc
Monocrystalline cell - a thin slice
cut from a single crystal of Monocrystalline Cell
silicon, highest efficiency 17%
Polycrystalline cell – liquid silicon
is poured into blocks, then
sliced, more cost efficient, lower
efficiency, 15%
Polycrystalline Cell
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 3 ]
4. Typical Configurations
54 cells in series
60 cells in series
72 cells in series produce enough
voltage to charge 24V batteries
(24 volt nominal)
84 cells in series
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 4 ]
5. Maximum Power Point
Short Circuit Current Isc 5.75 A
Voltage varies with Open Circuit Voltage Voc 47.7 V
Max Power Current Imp 5.25 A
Temperature Max Power Voltage Vmp 40.0 V
Current varies with
Irradiance
Power equals
Voltage x Current
5.25 A x 40.0 V
= 210 Watts
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 5 ]
6. Series String
Current is equal in a series circuit, unshaded string would
produce 5.25 amps x 40 volts = 210 watts per module,
5 modules at full power = 1050 watts per string.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 6 ]
7. Series String Shaded
Lowest performing module determines the current for the
string, a single shaded module could reduce the current to 2
amps
2 amps x 40 volts = 80 watts per module,
5 modules at 80 watts = 400 watts per string, 38% of max.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 7 ]
8. Micro-inverter Branch
In the micro-inverter branch only one modules current
reduced to 2 amps
1 module at 80 watts
4 modules at 210 watts = 840 watts
Power produced per branch = 920 watts, 87% of max.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 8 ]
10. Roof Top Array Temperatures
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 10 ]
11. Roof Top Array Temperatures
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 11 ]
12. Roof Top Array Temperatures
Location Data
AC Power output 124 Watts
Ambient Air Temp (Ta) 113.56 °F
Metal Roof Surface Temp (Troof) 147.42 °F
Module Glass Temp (Tframe) 125.10 °F
Under Module Air Temp (Tamb) 110.10 °F
Micro-Inverter Internal Temp (Tinv) 120.07 °F
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 12 ]
13. Micro-inverter Technical Data
60 and 72 Cell Modules, 240 Vac
Input Data (DC)
– Recommended Input Power (STC) 230 Watts
– Peak Power Tracking Voltage 22V – 40V
– Maximum DC Voltage 54V
– Positive Ground
Output Data (AC)
– Maximum Output Power 190 Watts
– Nominal Output Current .80 Amps
– Maximum number of inverters
per 15 amp branch circuit 15
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 13 ]
15. Voltage Drop Considerations, 240 Vac
The table below provides recommendations for wire size
from the junction box at the beginning of the Micro-inverter
branch to the main load center based on distance.
External Branch (Home Run) Wiring Maximum Distance in Feet
Micro-Inverters per Branch
Wire 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
14 AWG 126 103 84 68 54 42 31 21 12
12 AWG 199 163 133 107 86 66 49 33 19
10 AWG 318 260 212 171 137 106 78 53 30
8 AWG 507 414 337 273 218 169 125 84 48
6 AWG 804 656 535 433 345 267 198 135 76
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 15 ]
16. Micro-inverter Technical Data,
60 and 72 Cell Modules, 208 Vac
Input Data (DC)
– Recommended Input Power (STC) 230 Watts
– Peak Power Tracking Voltage 22V – 40V
– Maximum Input Voltage 54V
– Positive Ground
Output Data (AC)
– Maximum Output Power 190 Watts
– Nominal Output Current .92 Amps
– Maximum number of inverters
per 15 amp branch circuit 21
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 16 ]
18. Voltage Drop Considerations, 208 Vac
The table below provides recommendations for wire size
from the junction box at the beginning of the Micro-inverter
branch to the main load center based on distance. The table
is in increments of 3 inverters, always round up to the next
increment.
External Branch (Home Run) Wiring Maximum Distance in Feet
Micro-Inverters per Branch
Wire 6 9 12 15 18 21
14 AWG 479 303 209 148 104 69
12 AWG 759 481 332 235 165 109
10 AWG 1212 768 531 376 263 174
8 AWG 1932 1224 846 599 419 277
6 AWG 3061 1939 1340 950 664 438
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 18 ]
20. The Enphase Micro-Inverter System
Site Installed Components
Micro-Inverters
One inverter per-module
Communication Gateway
Each gateway supports 250 inverters
AC Interconnect Cable, End Cap
One per 15 amp branch circuit
Junction Box Adapter Plate
One per 15 amp branch circuit
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 20 ]
23. Branch Circuit Cable Layout
Inverter branches can be routed horizontally,
vertically, or a combination of both directions.
Standard Inverter cable lengths are 6 ft, extension cables
are available in 6 ft, 12 ft and 20 ft lengths.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 23 ]
25. Micro-Inverter Installation
Step 1 - Junction Box Adapter Plate
Step 2 - Attaching the Micro-Inverter
Step 3 - Connecting the Circuit Cables
Step 4 - Grounding Conductor Connection
Step 5 - Installation Map
Step 6 - Module Connection
Indicates a fact or feature very important for the
safety of the user.
Indicates an Enphase recommendation or best practice.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 25 ]
26. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Junction Box Adapter Plate
Mount an outdoor rated
junction box to the adapter
plate.
This junction box is used to
connect the inverter pigtail
to the cable or conduit that
has been run to the main
load center.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 26 ]
27. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Junction Box Adapter Plate
Install the Enphase
adapter plate and
junction box assembly
to the module racking.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 27 ]
28. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Junction Box Adapter Plate
Connect the Enphase
AC interconnect
cable to the junction
box.
Standard Inverter
pigtail length is 6 ft,
longer pigtails are
available in 12 ft
and 20 ft lengths.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 28 ]
29. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Attaching the Micro-inverter
Mark the approximate
centers of each PV
module on the racking
system. (module width
plus 1” for clips)
Avoid aligning
the Inverter with the
Module junction box.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 29 ]
30. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Attaching the Micro-inverter
Attach the Enphase
Micro-inverters at
the module centers
using the racking
manufacturer’s
hardware.
Orient the inverter so
that the inverter
connector with male pins
is toward the load center.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 30 ]
31. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Connecting the Circuit Cables
Connect the first
Enphase Micro-inverter
to the Enphase AC
interconnect cable.
Orient the inverter
so the male connector
is toward the junction
box.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 31 ]
32. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Connecting the Circuit Cables
Connect the
remaining Enphase
Micro- Inverters.
Ensure that the
connectors are
securely locked.
Use cable ties to secure
the AC cables to the
racking.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 32 ]
33. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Connecting the Circuit Cables
Do not exceed the
maximum number of
Enphase Micro-inverters
per branch circuit listed
on the product label.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 33 ]
34. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Connecting the Circuit Cables
Attach the included
protective end cap
onto the unused
connector of the
last Enphase Micro-
inverter.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 34 ]
35. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Grounding the Conductor Connection
Connect the grounding
conductor to each
Enphase Micro-inverter
in the location marked
“Grounding Electrode
Terminal”.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 35 ]
36. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Grounding Conductor Connection
Route a single grounding
conductor through all the
inverters.
Connect a short length of
Ground wire to each module
Separate conductors
for the modules and
inverters may be installed.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 36 ]
37. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Installation Map
Peel one of the two
labels from each
Enphase Micro-
inverters and place
the label on the
Enphase installation
map to show the
relative physical
location of the
modules.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 37 ]
38. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Module Connections
Connect the PV
modules to the
Enphase Micro-
inverters.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 38 ]
39. DC Disconnection Procedure
Do not disconnect module connectors under
load.
Disconnecting AC first will eliminate the DC
current prior to disconnecting the module.
Individual modules could also be covered
prior to disconnecting cables during daylight hours
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 39 ]
41. Energy Management Unit Installation
Step 1 - Power Connection
Step 2 - Network Connection
Step 3 - EMU Startup
Step 4 - Enlighten Registration
Step 5 - Fax the Inverter info
Step 6 – The Enlighten web site
Indicates a fact or feature very important for
the safety of the user.
Indicates an Enphase recommendation or
best practice.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 41 ]
42. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Power Connection
Connect the power cord
to the EMU power inlet,
then plug the power
cable into a power outlet
somewhere near your
internet router.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 42 ]
43. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Power Connection
Do not plug the EMU
into a power strip or
Uninterruptable Power
Supply (UPS), the surge
suppression or filtering
components of the power
strip could disrupt the EMU
power line communications.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 43 ]
44. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Network Connection
Plug the provided CAT5/6
twisted pair Ethernet
patch cable into the RJ45
on the EMU.
Plug the other end
of the Ethernet
patch cable into the
broadband router.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 44 ]
45. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
EMU Startup
It takes less than 5 minutes
for the EMU to boot.
You know that it has
booted when it displays
An IP address, and
shows “+WEB” both in the
onboard LCD window.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 45 ]
46. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
EMU Startup
A newly installed EMU will
scan for 1 week.
To restart a scan or perform
a communication check once
the EMU has booted, press
and hold the button labeled
“SCAN” on the front for 2
seconds. This will enable
The LCD panel menu.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 46 ]
47. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
EMU LCD Panel Menu
Continue holding the “SCAN”
button until the desired menu
option appears.
Release the “SCAN” button to
select a menu option.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 47 ]
48. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
EMU Startup
Device Scan
During a device scan the display shows the
following:
Communication Check
After a communication Check the display shows
the following
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 48 ]
49. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
EMU Startup
192.168.2.140
(or whatever the local IP address is)
+WEB
(indicating that it made a connection to the internet)
(n)W
(indicating the present power production in watts)
(n)kWh
(indicating the lifetime watt hours reported to this EMU)
(n)
(indicating the number of Micro-Inverters reporting to the
EMU)
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 49 ]
50. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Enlighten Registration
Register the EMU with the Enlighten web site by
entering the EMU serial number and the site
information.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 50 ]
51. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
Fax the Micro-inverter Information
Fax the completed
installation map from
the Micro-inverter
installation to Enphase at
707-763-0784.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 51 ]
53. Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1 2 3 4 5 6
The EnlightenTM Website
Once the website is
configured, energy data
will be displayed on the
Enphase Enlighten™
website on a per PCU,
per module basis.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 53 ]
54. Branch Circuit Calculations, 240 Vac
Circuit Current Calculation
– Maximum Output Power = 190 Watts AC
– 190 W ÷ 240 V = .80 Amps
– .80 x 15 inverters = 12.0 amps / branch
Overcurrent Protection Calculation
– 12.0 x 1.25 = 15.0 Amps
Conclusions:
– Install 1 to 15 Inverters per branch, up to 2850 Watts
– Minimum 2 Pole 15 Amp circuit breaker, 14 AWG wire
size.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 54 ]
55. Branch Circuit Calculations, 208 Vac
Circuit Current Calculation
– Maximum Output Power = 190 Watts AC
– 190 W ÷ 208 V = .92 Amps
– .92x 7 inverters per phase = 6.44 amps per phase
– 6.44 x 1.73 = 11.14 amps per leg
Overcurrent Protection Calculation
– 11.14 x 1.25 = 13.92 Amps
Conclusions:
– Install 1 to 21 inverters per branch, up to 3990 Watts
– Minimum 3 Pole 15 Amp circuit breaker, 14 AWG wire
size.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 55 ]
56. Performance Monitoring Reporting Service
Enphase Energy is an approved PMRS provider, the Energy Tracking
LLC, Web Enabled Meter communicates directly with the Enphase EMU.
The metered data is then forwarded to the participating utility.
Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 56 ]