Not sure if this has already being posted but looks like Enphase has begun rolling out the IQ8 inverters
Enphase Energy Introduces IQ8 Microgrid-Forming Microinverter
Enphase Energy Introduces IQ8 Microgrid-Forming Microinverter
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What are these going to do for me that my IQ7’s don’t?
This is correct. Islanding now possible without ESS.From my limited understanding of it, if you didn't have a battery and it's sunny, you can have power now during a power outage (it'll cut your grid tie and create a micro-grid managing production and usage).
It needs a smart switch though as well. If you already have a battery, it doesn't add much.
Friend is getting quotes from Tesla solar and from other installers. For the other installers, she's mostly looking for micro-inverters because of potential shading from chimneys to the south of the best roof planes, and trees to the west. IQ8 has been in production since Dec 2021, and is being quoted. She's interested in this additional "islanding" feature, but one installer is very negative about it, another said it flat-out doesn't work.
Anyone hear anything more about this, and why it might or might not be working?
Seems like the feature has to do two things: the Smart Switch (same as needed if using Enphase's energy storage or generator support) needs to isolate from the grid to form a micro-grid, and I think secondly, there needs to be balance between the load demand and the solar production. I presume something in the new IQ8's communicates with another part of the system to progressively turn off micro-inverters until the load is balanced - this seems like the more likely part that isn't working as designed?
What you say kinda makes sense, but without batteries, and in a grid-down situation generating 1.8 and consuming 0.8 is also bad right? Where would the extra 1.0 kw go? Doesn't the system have to shed production somehow?I have a few enphase batteries with IQ8s in them and the smart switch.
I would assume islanding works, even on cloudy days, I can get say, 1.8 generated and use 0.8 so it'll work (don't see why it won't). I assume what will happen is if generation drops to less than usage, you will have a power outage since you don't have any energy storage.
What your friend could do is maybe buy a small battery or something to balance it out a little bit for cloudy days where generation drops to below usage all the time (depends on their location).
Maybe the installer just doesn't want to 'deal' with the smart switch? and islanding since I've noticed battery installs are a LOT more work for very little extra $$ (as told to me by my installer). Especially in her case where she is only adding 1 switch for the installer and like little/no more $$ to them.
Installers are also simply wrong a lot.
The inverters can adjust to produce less power by not operating at the maximum power point (MPP). See Maximum power point tracking - WikipediaWhat you say kinda makes sense, but without batteries, and in a grid-down situation generating 1.8 and consuming 0.8 is also bad right? Where would the extra 1.0 kw go? Doesn't the system have to shed production somehow?
Wow, same friend finally got a quote for the SmartSwitch with installation, it's another $13K on top of the solar panels. I realize it's more than just wiring the box, is also basically creating a backup loads panel and moving a bunch of loads over to it. Basically like a Powerwall installation but without the actual battery. Still, Powerwall installation is what $4-5K for the first one, nothing for more, so $13K basically would get you one Powerwall with Tesla, whereas with Enphase you don't even get one battery...
Powerwall installations are MUCH MUCH more than $4-$5k for 1 battery so that's way off too. From Tesla direct, it's $11.5k for 1 battery and $18,500 for 2 batteries.
Correct.. But congrats on getting the new IQ8s!!Getting IQ8A with my install, but I'll also have powerwalls so I don't believe islanding feature will apply due to having storage.