the australian microinverter guide - geelong solar...
TRANSCRIPT
The resource for Australian solar professionals looking for microinverter technology
The Australian Microinverter Guide
SPONSORS
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 2
WelcomeMicroinverters are a relatively new technology introduced to the Australian market as an alternative to centralised string inverters Microinverters replace this centralised system individually converting a panelrsquos direct-current electricity into alternating-current electricity
Produced by the publishers of EcoGeneration ndash the premier magazine for Australiarsquos clean energy industry ndash The Australian Microinverter Guide answers important questions every solar system designer and installer needs to ask before adopting this new technology
This guide also outlines common mistakes made in relation to microinverter systems and how to avoid them while purchasing the highest quality products best suited to your projects
Click on hyperlinked text and images to access extra information online and to find Australian microinverter experts who can help ensure your installations have the strongest start possible
Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 3
What yoursquoll learn from this guideWelcome 2
Introduction 4
Microinverters the key points 5
Q amp A 9
Misconceptions busted 10
Industry standards applicable to microinverters 11
Important questions to ask a supplier 12
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid them 13
Important considerations for your next microinverter purchase a checklist 14
About the sponsors 15
Product examples and their specifications 17
Featured product Enphase M215 18
Featured product Microinverter GT260 19
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTD 20
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverter 21
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM Module 22
Need more information 23
The resource for Australian solar professionals looking for microinverter technology
The Australian Microinverter Guide
SPONSORS Cover image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 4
Introduction
Traditionally solar energy systems use a large central string inverter to convert the direct-current (DC) electricity from tens hundreds or even thousands of solar modules into the alternating-current (AC) electricity consumed in buildings and homes Microinverters are designed to replace this centralised architecture with a distributed network of electronics where each modulersquos DC electricity is individually converted into AC electricity
With every module connected in parallel and operating as an independent power producer using microinverters the solar system achieves maximum productivity dramatically higher reliability and is more resilient to environmental factors At the same time the flexibility and intelligence of an all-AC photovoltaic (PV) system reduces installation cost and simplifies monitoring and management
It is important to understand that a microinverter is also different from traditional inverters in terms of how it is fundamentally part of a system A microinverter is one component of a microinverter system that should also include communications hardware and a software platform to enable the owner of the system to accurately monitor the performance of the system and ensure it is operating optimally at all times
Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 5
Microinverters the key pointsIn Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre The DC connection between the PV modules and microinverter is accessible and may be made at the time of installation The capacity of the microinverter output is limited to 350 volts-ampere and DC connection is at an extra-low voltage and is limited to no more than two PV modules
Microinverters are the first technology to take low-voltage DC and efficiently transform it upward to AC voltages To achieve power conversion efficiencies of 96 per cent requires precision and responsiveness that is not possible using traditional analogue design Instead microinverters are fundamentally based on a digitally controlled architecture that delivers extremely rapid response time and advanced predictive modelling capabilities
Until recently microinverter technology had long been a dream of the solar industry The microinverter concept was first introduced in the 1970s but faced fundamental problems for commercialisation in terms of manufacturing cost unit reliability and power conversion efficiency Enphase Energy launched the latest generation of microinverter technology in 2008
The development process for the microinverter has involved an interdisciplinary approach and combined technologies from the semiconductor power electronics and telecommunications and software industries In addition to producing new inverter architecture this approach resulted in new hardware designs packaging systems and testing processes for inverters
In Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a
PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 6
Microinverter benefitsThe key benefits of a microinverter system fall into three key areas for system owners
1) Reliability ndash Because a microinverter is designed with digitally controlled architecture it eliminates the reliability issues typically related with traditional inverter failures Also by eliminating a single point of failure by converting DC to AC at the module level overall system reliability is increased
The new design topologies employed in microinverter systems allow the specification and selection of better quality longer-lasting components These components are simply not able to be used in string inverters at this time Also the elimination of high voltage DC from within the system improves reliability in itself as it is the high voltage DC connections and circuit breakers that are prone to failure in traditional DC systems
2) Production ndash Designed to optimise the power conversion process microinverters ensure that if one panel suffers from environmental interference or failure (from shading dust and debris non-uniform temperatures or sub-optimal irradiance angles) it doesnrsquot affect the entire array This significantly reduces the risk of system failure while increasing efficiency
Each module is individually maximum power point tracked to maximise the performance of each module ndash even in unshaded situations
Natural variation in the performance of modules both when they are new and as they age over time can be captured and taken advantage of
The system performs better under normal operating conditions as well as having much greater resilience to issues such as shading and soiling
3) System intelligence ndash Solar professionals and system owners receive ongoing assurance of system performance through the microinverter systemrsquos intelligent software platform For solar professionals the software similarly found within some string inverters offers web-based sophisticated back-end tools to monitor and manage installations Plus an engaging interface for system owners provides them with insight into system health and earned environmental benefits that can easily be enjoyed with others
The monitoring systems allow much faster identification and resolution of any problems with the solar system
This reduces down time and minimises loss of income from incentives such as feed-in tariffs It also allows system owners to monitor their system remotely providing peace of mind that the system is operating correctly
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 7
Microinverter applicationsMicroinverters were originally used for installations where shading or module orientation issues made the use of DC systems inefficient or impossible In recent timeshowever microinverters have become popular for all types of installations due to the fact that they are quicker to install are safer due to the absence of high voltage DC cabling and often perform better than equivalent DC systems Based on data collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison in the United States over a two-year period from 2008ndash10 the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters
Microinverter usage can scale from a single solar module to thousands In North America the worldrsquos largest microinverter market microinverter systems are the dominant residential inverter technology used In addition there are several megawatt-sized power plants that utilise microinverter technology
If one looks to other markets for future trends the shift to microinverter systems is dominant in other markets with similar conditions to Australia For example in the United States the number one inverter vendor in the residential segment based on Californian market data is a microinverter manufacturer California is the largest market in the United States for solar
It is early days for this technology in Australia and current estimates suggest that the market share that microinverters hold in Australia is less than 5 per cent
System architecture for a string inverter Image courtesy of Enphase
System architecture for a microinverter Image courtesy of Enphase
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
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The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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Prod
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xam
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and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 2
WelcomeMicroinverters are a relatively new technology introduced to the Australian market as an alternative to centralised string inverters Microinverters replace this centralised system individually converting a panelrsquos direct-current electricity into alternating-current electricity
Produced by the publishers of EcoGeneration ndash the premier magazine for Australiarsquos clean energy industry ndash The Australian Microinverter Guide answers important questions every solar system designer and installer needs to ask before adopting this new technology
This guide also outlines common mistakes made in relation to microinverter systems and how to avoid them while purchasing the highest quality products best suited to your projects
Click on hyperlinked text and images to access extra information online and to find Australian microinverter experts who can help ensure your installations have the strongest start possible
Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 3
What yoursquoll learn from this guideWelcome 2
Introduction 4
Microinverters the key points 5
Q amp A 9
Misconceptions busted 10
Industry standards applicable to microinverters 11
Important questions to ask a supplier 12
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid them 13
Important considerations for your next microinverter purchase a checklist 14
About the sponsors 15
Product examples and their specifications 17
Featured product Enphase M215 18
Featured product Microinverter GT260 19
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTD 20
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverter 21
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM Module 22
Need more information 23
The resource for Australian solar professionals looking for microinverter technology
The Australian Microinverter Guide
SPONSORS Cover image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 4
Introduction
Traditionally solar energy systems use a large central string inverter to convert the direct-current (DC) electricity from tens hundreds or even thousands of solar modules into the alternating-current (AC) electricity consumed in buildings and homes Microinverters are designed to replace this centralised architecture with a distributed network of electronics where each modulersquos DC electricity is individually converted into AC electricity
With every module connected in parallel and operating as an independent power producer using microinverters the solar system achieves maximum productivity dramatically higher reliability and is more resilient to environmental factors At the same time the flexibility and intelligence of an all-AC photovoltaic (PV) system reduces installation cost and simplifies monitoring and management
It is important to understand that a microinverter is also different from traditional inverters in terms of how it is fundamentally part of a system A microinverter is one component of a microinverter system that should also include communications hardware and a software platform to enable the owner of the system to accurately monitor the performance of the system and ensure it is operating optimally at all times
Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 5
Microinverters the key pointsIn Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre The DC connection between the PV modules and microinverter is accessible and may be made at the time of installation The capacity of the microinverter output is limited to 350 volts-ampere and DC connection is at an extra-low voltage and is limited to no more than two PV modules
Microinverters are the first technology to take low-voltage DC and efficiently transform it upward to AC voltages To achieve power conversion efficiencies of 96 per cent requires precision and responsiveness that is not possible using traditional analogue design Instead microinverters are fundamentally based on a digitally controlled architecture that delivers extremely rapid response time and advanced predictive modelling capabilities
Until recently microinverter technology had long been a dream of the solar industry The microinverter concept was first introduced in the 1970s but faced fundamental problems for commercialisation in terms of manufacturing cost unit reliability and power conversion efficiency Enphase Energy launched the latest generation of microinverter technology in 2008
The development process for the microinverter has involved an interdisciplinary approach and combined technologies from the semiconductor power electronics and telecommunications and software industries In addition to producing new inverter architecture this approach resulted in new hardware designs packaging systems and testing processes for inverters
In Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a
PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 6
Microinverter benefitsThe key benefits of a microinverter system fall into three key areas for system owners
1) Reliability ndash Because a microinverter is designed with digitally controlled architecture it eliminates the reliability issues typically related with traditional inverter failures Also by eliminating a single point of failure by converting DC to AC at the module level overall system reliability is increased
The new design topologies employed in microinverter systems allow the specification and selection of better quality longer-lasting components These components are simply not able to be used in string inverters at this time Also the elimination of high voltage DC from within the system improves reliability in itself as it is the high voltage DC connections and circuit breakers that are prone to failure in traditional DC systems
2) Production ndash Designed to optimise the power conversion process microinverters ensure that if one panel suffers from environmental interference or failure (from shading dust and debris non-uniform temperatures or sub-optimal irradiance angles) it doesnrsquot affect the entire array This significantly reduces the risk of system failure while increasing efficiency
Each module is individually maximum power point tracked to maximise the performance of each module ndash even in unshaded situations
Natural variation in the performance of modules both when they are new and as they age over time can be captured and taken advantage of
The system performs better under normal operating conditions as well as having much greater resilience to issues such as shading and soiling
3) System intelligence ndash Solar professionals and system owners receive ongoing assurance of system performance through the microinverter systemrsquos intelligent software platform For solar professionals the software similarly found within some string inverters offers web-based sophisticated back-end tools to monitor and manage installations Plus an engaging interface for system owners provides them with insight into system health and earned environmental benefits that can easily be enjoyed with others
The monitoring systems allow much faster identification and resolution of any problems with the solar system
This reduces down time and minimises loss of income from incentives such as feed-in tariffs It also allows system owners to monitor their system remotely providing peace of mind that the system is operating correctly
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 7
Microinverter applicationsMicroinverters were originally used for installations where shading or module orientation issues made the use of DC systems inefficient or impossible In recent timeshowever microinverters have become popular for all types of installations due to the fact that they are quicker to install are safer due to the absence of high voltage DC cabling and often perform better than equivalent DC systems Based on data collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison in the United States over a two-year period from 2008ndash10 the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters
Microinverter usage can scale from a single solar module to thousands In North America the worldrsquos largest microinverter market microinverter systems are the dominant residential inverter technology used In addition there are several megawatt-sized power plants that utilise microinverter technology
If one looks to other markets for future trends the shift to microinverter systems is dominant in other markets with similar conditions to Australia For example in the United States the number one inverter vendor in the residential segment based on Californian market data is a microinverter manufacturer California is the largest market in the United States for solar
It is early days for this technology in Australia and current estimates suggest that the market share that microinverters hold in Australia is less than 5 per cent
System architecture for a string inverter Image courtesy of Enphase
System architecture for a microinverter Image courtesy of Enphase
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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Prod
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xam
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and
spe
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ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 3
What yoursquoll learn from this guideWelcome 2
Introduction 4
Microinverters the key points 5
Q amp A 9
Misconceptions busted 10
Industry standards applicable to microinverters 11
Important questions to ask a supplier 12
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid them 13
Important considerations for your next microinverter purchase a checklist 14
About the sponsors 15
Product examples and their specifications 17
Featured product Enphase M215 18
Featured product Microinverter GT260 19
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTD 20
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverter 21
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM Module 22
Need more information 23
The resource for Australian solar professionals looking for microinverter technology
The Australian Microinverter Guide
SPONSORS Cover image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 4
Introduction
Traditionally solar energy systems use a large central string inverter to convert the direct-current (DC) electricity from tens hundreds or even thousands of solar modules into the alternating-current (AC) electricity consumed in buildings and homes Microinverters are designed to replace this centralised architecture with a distributed network of electronics where each modulersquos DC electricity is individually converted into AC electricity
With every module connected in parallel and operating as an independent power producer using microinverters the solar system achieves maximum productivity dramatically higher reliability and is more resilient to environmental factors At the same time the flexibility and intelligence of an all-AC photovoltaic (PV) system reduces installation cost and simplifies monitoring and management
It is important to understand that a microinverter is also different from traditional inverters in terms of how it is fundamentally part of a system A microinverter is one component of a microinverter system that should also include communications hardware and a software platform to enable the owner of the system to accurately monitor the performance of the system and ensure it is operating optimally at all times
Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 5
Microinverters the key pointsIn Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre The DC connection between the PV modules and microinverter is accessible and may be made at the time of installation The capacity of the microinverter output is limited to 350 volts-ampere and DC connection is at an extra-low voltage and is limited to no more than two PV modules
Microinverters are the first technology to take low-voltage DC and efficiently transform it upward to AC voltages To achieve power conversion efficiencies of 96 per cent requires precision and responsiveness that is not possible using traditional analogue design Instead microinverters are fundamentally based on a digitally controlled architecture that delivers extremely rapid response time and advanced predictive modelling capabilities
Until recently microinverter technology had long been a dream of the solar industry The microinverter concept was first introduced in the 1970s but faced fundamental problems for commercialisation in terms of manufacturing cost unit reliability and power conversion efficiency Enphase Energy launched the latest generation of microinverter technology in 2008
The development process for the microinverter has involved an interdisciplinary approach and combined technologies from the semiconductor power electronics and telecommunications and software industries In addition to producing new inverter architecture this approach resulted in new hardware designs packaging systems and testing processes for inverters
In Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a
PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 6
Microinverter benefitsThe key benefits of a microinverter system fall into three key areas for system owners
1) Reliability ndash Because a microinverter is designed with digitally controlled architecture it eliminates the reliability issues typically related with traditional inverter failures Also by eliminating a single point of failure by converting DC to AC at the module level overall system reliability is increased
The new design topologies employed in microinverter systems allow the specification and selection of better quality longer-lasting components These components are simply not able to be used in string inverters at this time Also the elimination of high voltage DC from within the system improves reliability in itself as it is the high voltage DC connections and circuit breakers that are prone to failure in traditional DC systems
2) Production ndash Designed to optimise the power conversion process microinverters ensure that if one panel suffers from environmental interference or failure (from shading dust and debris non-uniform temperatures or sub-optimal irradiance angles) it doesnrsquot affect the entire array This significantly reduces the risk of system failure while increasing efficiency
Each module is individually maximum power point tracked to maximise the performance of each module ndash even in unshaded situations
Natural variation in the performance of modules both when they are new and as they age over time can be captured and taken advantage of
The system performs better under normal operating conditions as well as having much greater resilience to issues such as shading and soiling
3) System intelligence ndash Solar professionals and system owners receive ongoing assurance of system performance through the microinverter systemrsquos intelligent software platform For solar professionals the software similarly found within some string inverters offers web-based sophisticated back-end tools to monitor and manage installations Plus an engaging interface for system owners provides them with insight into system health and earned environmental benefits that can easily be enjoyed with others
The monitoring systems allow much faster identification and resolution of any problems with the solar system
This reduces down time and minimises loss of income from incentives such as feed-in tariffs It also allows system owners to monitor their system remotely providing peace of mind that the system is operating correctly
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 7
Microinverter applicationsMicroinverters were originally used for installations where shading or module orientation issues made the use of DC systems inefficient or impossible In recent timeshowever microinverters have become popular for all types of installations due to the fact that they are quicker to install are safer due to the absence of high voltage DC cabling and often perform better than equivalent DC systems Based on data collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison in the United States over a two-year period from 2008ndash10 the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters
Microinverter usage can scale from a single solar module to thousands In North America the worldrsquos largest microinverter market microinverter systems are the dominant residential inverter technology used In addition there are several megawatt-sized power plants that utilise microinverter technology
If one looks to other markets for future trends the shift to microinverter systems is dominant in other markets with similar conditions to Australia For example in the United States the number one inverter vendor in the residential segment based on Californian market data is a microinverter manufacturer California is the largest market in the United States for solar
It is early days for this technology in Australia and current estimates suggest that the market share that microinverters hold in Australia is less than 5 per cent
System architecture for a string inverter Image courtesy of Enphase
System architecture for a microinverter Image courtesy of Enphase
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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ar
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irel
ess
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ectr
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ic
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olyt
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ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
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lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
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-40
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o
+65
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o
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˚C-4
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to
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to +
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C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 4
Introduction
Traditionally solar energy systems use a large central string inverter to convert the direct-current (DC) electricity from tens hundreds or even thousands of solar modules into the alternating-current (AC) electricity consumed in buildings and homes Microinverters are designed to replace this centralised architecture with a distributed network of electronics where each modulersquos DC electricity is individually converted into AC electricity
With every module connected in parallel and operating as an independent power producer using microinverters the solar system achieves maximum productivity dramatically higher reliability and is more resilient to environmental factors At the same time the flexibility and intelligence of an all-AC photovoltaic (PV) system reduces installation cost and simplifies monitoring and management
It is important to understand that a microinverter is also different from traditional inverters in terms of how it is fundamentally part of a system A microinverter is one component of a microinverter system that should also include communications hardware and a software platform to enable the owner of the system to accurately monitor the performance of the system and ensure it is operating optimally at all times
Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 5
Microinverters the key pointsIn Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre The DC connection between the PV modules and microinverter is accessible and may be made at the time of installation The capacity of the microinverter output is limited to 350 volts-ampere and DC connection is at an extra-low voltage and is limited to no more than two PV modules
Microinverters are the first technology to take low-voltage DC and efficiently transform it upward to AC voltages To achieve power conversion efficiencies of 96 per cent requires precision and responsiveness that is not possible using traditional analogue design Instead microinverters are fundamentally based on a digitally controlled architecture that delivers extremely rapid response time and advanced predictive modelling capabilities
Until recently microinverter technology had long been a dream of the solar industry The microinverter concept was first introduced in the 1970s but faced fundamental problems for commercialisation in terms of manufacturing cost unit reliability and power conversion efficiency Enphase Energy launched the latest generation of microinverter technology in 2008
The development process for the microinverter has involved an interdisciplinary approach and combined technologies from the semiconductor power electronics and telecommunications and software industries In addition to producing new inverter architecture this approach resulted in new hardware designs packaging systems and testing processes for inverters
In Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a
PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 6
Microinverter benefitsThe key benefits of a microinverter system fall into three key areas for system owners
1) Reliability ndash Because a microinverter is designed with digitally controlled architecture it eliminates the reliability issues typically related with traditional inverter failures Also by eliminating a single point of failure by converting DC to AC at the module level overall system reliability is increased
The new design topologies employed in microinverter systems allow the specification and selection of better quality longer-lasting components These components are simply not able to be used in string inverters at this time Also the elimination of high voltage DC from within the system improves reliability in itself as it is the high voltage DC connections and circuit breakers that are prone to failure in traditional DC systems
2) Production ndash Designed to optimise the power conversion process microinverters ensure that if one panel suffers from environmental interference or failure (from shading dust and debris non-uniform temperatures or sub-optimal irradiance angles) it doesnrsquot affect the entire array This significantly reduces the risk of system failure while increasing efficiency
Each module is individually maximum power point tracked to maximise the performance of each module ndash even in unshaded situations
Natural variation in the performance of modules both when they are new and as they age over time can be captured and taken advantage of
The system performs better under normal operating conditions as well as having much greater resilience to issues such as shading and soiling
3) System intelligence ndash Solar professionals and system owners receive ongoing assurance of system performance through the microinverter systemrsquos intelligent software platform For solar professionals the software similarly found within some string inverters offers web-based sophisticated back-end tools to monitor and manage installations Plus an engaging interface for system owners provides them with insight into system health and earned environmental benefits that can easily be enjoyed with others
The monitoring systems allow much faster identification and resolution of any problems with the solar system
This reduces down time and minimises loss of income from incentives such as feed-in tariffs It also allows system owners to monitor their system remotely providing peace of mind that the system is operating correctly
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 7
Microinverter applicationsMicroinverters were originally used for installations where shading or module orientation issues made the use of DC systems inefficient or impossible In recent timeshowever microinverters have become popular for all types of installations due to the fact that they are quicker to install are safer due to the absence of high voltage DC cabling and often perform better than equivalent DC systems Based on data collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison in the United States over a two-year period from 2008ndash10 the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters
Microinverter usage can scale from a single solar module to thousands In North America the worldrsquos largest microinverter market microinverter systems are the dominant residential inverter technology used In addition there are several megawatt-sized power plants that utilise microinverter technology
If one looks to other markets for future trends the shift to microinverter systems is dominant in other markets with similar conditions to Australia For example in the United States the number one inverter vendor in the residential segment based on Californian market data is a microinverter manufacturer California is the largest market in the United States for solar
It is early days for this technology in Australia and current estimates suggest that the market share that microinverters hold in Australia is less than 5 per cent
System architecture for a string inverter Image courtesy of Enphase
System architecture for a microinverter Image courtesy of Enphase
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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ut ra
ting
225
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ype
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ar
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typ
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wer
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mm
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irel
ess
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eles
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Capa
cito
r ty
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ectr
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olyt
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ectr
olyt
ic
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trol
ytic
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in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
apac
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lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
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o +6
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0 ˚C
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o
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to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 5
Microinverters the key pointsIn Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre The DC connection between the PV modules and microinverter is accessible and may be made at the time of installation The capacity of the microinverter output is limited to 350 volts-ampere and DC connection is at an extra-low voltage and is limited to no more than two PV modules
Microinverters are the first technology to take low-voltage DC and efficiently transform it upward to AC voltages To achieve power conversion efficiencies of 96 per cent requires precision and responsiveness that is not possible using traditional analogue design Instead microinverters are fundamentally based on a digitally controlled architecture that delivers extremely rapid response time and advanced predictive modelling capabilities
Until recently microinverter technology had long been a dream of the solar industry The microinverter concept was first introduced in the 1970s but faced fundamental problems for commercialisation in terms of manufacturing cost unit reliability and power conversion efficiency Enphase Energy launched the latest generation of microinverter technology in 2008
The development process for the microinverter has involved an interdisciplinary approach and combined technologies from the semiconductor power electronics and telecommunications and software industries In addition to producing new inverter architecture this approach resulted in new hardware designs packaging systems and testing processes for inverters
In Australia microinverters are generally considered to be small inverters designed to be located adjacent to a
PV module so the DC cable length is less than one metre
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 6
Microinverter benefitsThe key benefits of a microinverter system fall into three key areas for system owners
1) Reliability ndash Because a microinverter is designed with digitally controlled architecture it eliminates the reliability issues typically related with traditional inverter failures Also by eliminating a single point of failure by converting DC to AC at the module level overall system reliability is increased
The new design topologies employed in microinverter systems allow the specification and selection of better quality longer-lasting components These components are simply not able to be used in string inverters at this time Also the elimination of high voltage DC from within the system improves reliability in itself as it is the high voltage DC connections and circuit breakers that are prone to failure in traditional DC systems
2) Production ndash Designed to optimise the power conversion process microinverters ensure that if one panel suffers from environmental interference or failure (from shading dust and debris non-uniform temperatures or sub-optimal irradiance angles) it doesnrsquot affect the entire array This significantly reduces the risk of system failure while increasing efficiency
Each module is individually maximum power point tracked to maximise the performance of each module ndash even in unshaded situations
Natural variation in the performance of modules both when they are new and as they age over time can be captured and taken advantage of
The system performs better under normal operating conditions as well as having much greater resilience to issues such as shading and soiling
3) System intelligence ndash Solar professionals and system owners receive ongoing assurance of system performance through the microinverter systemrsquos intelligent software platform For solar professionals the software similarly found within some string inverters offers web-based sophisticated back-end tools to monitor and manage installations Plus an engaging interface for system owners provides them with insight into system health and earned environmental benefits that can easily be enjoyed with others
The monitoring systems allow much faster identification and resolution of any problems with the solar system
This reduces down time and minimises loss of income from incentives such as feed-in tariffs It also allows system owners to monitor their system remotely providing peace of mind that the system is operating correctly
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 7
Microinverter applicationsMicroinverters were originally used for installations where shading or module orientation issues made the use of DC systems inefficient or impossible In recent timeshowever microinverters have become popular for all types of installations due to the fact that they are quicker to install are safer due to the absence of high voltage DC cabling and often perform better than equivalent DC systems Based on data collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison in the United States over a two-year period from 2008ndash10 the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters
Microinverter usage can scale from a single solar module to thousands In North America the worldrsquos largest microinverter market microinverter systems are the dominant residential inverter technology used In addition there are several megawatt-sized power plants that utilise microinverter technology
If one looks to other markets for future trends the shift to microinverter systems is dominant in other markets with similar conditions to Australia For example in the United States the number one inverter vendor in the residential segment based on Californian market data is a microinverter manufacturer California is the largest market in the United States for solar
It is early days for this technology in Australia and current estimates suggest that the market share that microinverters hold in Australia is less than 5 per cent
System architecture for a string inverter Image courtesy of Enphase
System architecture for a microinverter Image courtesy of Enphase
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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EC P
ak
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tion
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ar
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ions
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irel
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Prod
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xam
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and
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cific
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Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 6
Microinverter benefitsThe key benefits of a microinverter system fall into three key areas for system owners
1) Reliability ndash Because a microinverter is designed with digitally controlled architecture it eliminates the reliability issues typically related with traditional inverter failures Also by eliminating a single point of failure by converting DC to AC at the module level overall system reliability is increased
The new design topologies employed in microinverter systems allow the specification and selection of better quality longer-lasting components These components are simply not able to be used in string inverters at this time Also the elimination of high voltage DC from within the system improves reliability in itself as it is the high voltage DC connections and circuit breakers that are prone to failure in traditional DC systems
2) Production ndash Designed to optimise the power conversion process microinverters ensure that if one panel suffers from environmental interference or failure (from shading dust and debris non-uniform temperatures or sub-optimal irradiance angles) it doesnrsquot affect the entire array This significantly reduces the risk of system failure while increasing efficiency
Each module is individually maximum power point tracked to maximise the performance of each module ndash even in unshaded situations
Natural variation in the performance of modules both when they are new and as they age over time can be captured and taken advantage of
The system performs better under normal operating conditions as well as having much greater resilience to issues such as shading and soiling
3) System intelligence ndash Solar professionals and system owners receive ongoing assurance of system performance through the microinverter systemrsquos intelligent software platform For solar professionals the software similarly found within some string inverters offers web-based sophisticated back-end tools to monitor and manage installations Plus an engaging interface for system owners provides them with insight into system health and earned environmental benefits that can easily be enjoyed with others
The monitoring systems allow much faster identification and resolution of any problems with the solar system
This reduces down time and minimises loss of income from incentives such as feed-in tariffs It also allows system owners to monitor their system remotely providing peace of mind that the system is operating correctly
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 7
Microinverter applicationsMicroinverters were originally used for installations where shading or module orientation issues made the use of DC systems inefficient or impossible In recent timeshowever microinverters have become popular for all types of installations due to the fact that they are quicker to install are safer due to the absence of high voltage DC cabling and often perform better than equivalent DC systems Based on data collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison in the United States over a two-year period from 2008ndash10 the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters
Microinverter usage can scale from a single solar module to thousands In North America the worldrsquos largest microinverter market microinverter systems are the dominant residential inverter technology used In addition there are several megawatt-sized power plants that utilise microinverter technology
If one looks to other markets for future trends the shift to microinverter systems is dominant in other markets with similar conditions to Australia For example in the United States the number one inverter vendor in the residential segment based on Californian market data is a microinverter manufacturer California is the largest market in the United States for solar
It is early days for this technology in Australia and current estimates suggest that the market share that microinverters hold in Australia is less than 5 per cent
System architecture for a string inverter Image courtesy of Enphase
System architecture for a microinverter Image courtesy of Enphase
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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o +6
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Prod
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xam
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and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 7
Microinverter applicationsMicroinverters were originally used for installations where shading or module orientation issues made the use of DC systems inefficient or impossible In recent timeshowever microinverters have become popular for all types of installations due to the fact that they are quicker to install are safer due to the absence of high voltage DC cabling and often perform better than equivalent DC systems Based on data collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison in the United States over a two-year period from 2008ndash10 the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters
Microinverter usage can scale from a single solar module to thousands In North America the worldrsquos largest microinverter market microinverter systems are the dominant residential inverter technology used In addition there are several megawatt-sized power plants that utilise microinverter technology
If one looks to other markets for future trends the shift to microinverter systems is dominant in other markets with similar conditions to Australia For example in the United States the number one inverter vendor in the residential segment based on Californian market data is a microinverter manufacturer California is the largest market in the United States for solar
It is early days for this technology in Australia and current estimates suggest that the market share that microinverters hold in Australia is less than 5 per cent
System architecture for a string inverter Image courtesy of Enphase
System architecture for a microinverter Image courtesy of Enphase
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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ak
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ar
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typ
ePo
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e co
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e co
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irel
ess
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eles
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co
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ns
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cito
r ty
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ectr
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ectr
olyt
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ectr
olyt
ic
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trol
ytic
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ectr
olyt
icTh
in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
apac
itor
sFi
lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+65
˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+85
˚C-4
0 ˚C
to
+7
5 ˚C
-40
to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 8
Main steps in installing a microinverterFor a typical residential installation the five main steps to installing a microinverter system are
1 Component selection ndash There are a wide range of microinverters and AC modules available so it is important to select a unit that is suited to the application it is going to be used in Factors to consider include
Device temperature rating
Input voltage rating
Output power rating
Mounting arrangements
Cabling requirements
Datacommunications distance and requirements
2 Install AC cable between switchboard and array ndash It is important to select and install this cable such that the maximum voltage drop is below 1 per cent This will ensure that the microinverters do not switch off unnecessarily due to high AC volts
3 Install microinverters and cabling ndash Microinverters should be installed in accordance with manufacturerrsquos requirements Generally microinverters should be physically installed and oriented so as to maintain the maximum possible distance between the back of the module and the top surface of the microinverter
4 Install solar modules and test ndash Once solar modules have been installed it is useful to test the operation of each one by measuring the DC current flowing into the microinverter Checking this while still on the roof enables connection or other problems to be quickly identified and resolved while roof access is readily available
5 Set up monitoring ndash Once the system is fully installed the module level monitoring is set up This enables the performance of each module to be assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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o +6
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C-4
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˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 9
What is the importance of a warranty for a microinverter product
A warranty offers comfort for any product for the purchaser Microinverters are a critical component of PV systems and as such need to operate reliably for
the full life of the system Most microinverters have a design life of 25 years or more and have warranty periods of between 10 and 25 years
Typically microinverters carry a longer warranty than traditional string inverters as they are a completely different kind of technology and are built to last the lifetime of a solar system
How can component selection balance cost and performance so that solar module output is close to its lsquonameplatersquo rating
The inverterrsquos nameplate rating is a minimum hurdle that the inverter must be able to consistently and continuously clear when operating in the field For this
reason most inverter products are capable of producing 4ndash5 per cent more power than their rating
Sizing your inverter to match the module would mean you are paying for inverter capacity that rarely if ever gets used In other words the goal of a good system design should be to regularly saturate the inverter and not just in year one but also in years 10 to 15 once degradation and soiling have taken effect on the module
The rating of the microinverter should be such that the full output power of the solar module can be utilised under the specific conditions that apply to the proposed installation To this extent selecting the size of the microinverter is a similar process to selecting the size of a string inverter If in doubt you should obtain advice from the microinverter supplier
How else can different sizes of microinverters impact solar system cost and performance
Microinverters that are undersized will limit the amount of energy able to be produced by the system and result in the under-utilisation of the solar modules
Oversizing the microinverter can result in reduced operating (system) efficiency and under-utilisation of the investment made in the inverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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ived
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ype
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ak
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ar
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typ
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wer
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ion
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irel
ess
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eles
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wer
line
co
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nsW
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wer
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mm
unic
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ns
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cito
r ty
peEl
ectr
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ectr
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ectr
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ic
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trol
ytic
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ectr
olyt
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in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
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itor
sFi
lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+65
˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+85
˚C-4
0 ˚C
to
+7
5 ˚C
-40
to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 10
Misconceptions busted
MYTH Microinverters are small string inverters
MYTH Microinverters are only for niche applications
MYTH Microinverters are all the same
MYTH Microinverters are fail-proof
MYTH Microinverters do not perform well in hot conditions
False they are a completely different design architecture
False microinverters scale to any sized array and deliver benefits to any system
False like in any market there are microinverter system technologies of varying quality
False like string inverters if microinverters are incorrectly installed or operated then problems can occur
False microinverters are designed tested and proven in the field to operate under the harshest of conditions
Turn to page 7 for a diagram comparing string and microinverters
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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ak
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ar
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irel
ess
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eles
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wer
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unic
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ns
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cito
r ty
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ectr
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ectr
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ectr
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ic
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trol
ytic
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ectr
olyt
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in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
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itor
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lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+65
˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+85
˚C-4
0 ˚C
to
+7
5 ˚C
-40
to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 11
Industry standards applicable to microinverters
Adherence to Australian Standards is not only a benefit itrsquos also a requirement If a microinverter you install doesnrsquot comply with relevant standards you run the risk of losing the system and your investment
A microinverter complies with a standard only if it is installed according to the productrsquos installation guide andor accreditation letter If that is the case you can sign off on the documents for a PV system knowing that the system is safe It is also important to comply with Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines and provide a maintenance plan when installing a microinverter according to Australian Standards
Microinverters must adhere to standards to ensure safety compliance and ultimately peace of mind for those who purchase and install them
Australian Standards relevant to microinverter installation and maintenance
bull AS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays
bull AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters ndash installation requirements
bull AS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the AustralianNew Zealand Wiring Rules)
bull AS 3008 Electrical installations ndash Selection of cables ndash Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 061 kilovolts ndash Typical Australian installation conditions
If yoursquore a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer you must have and use a copy of each of these standards ndash they can be purchased from Standards Australia
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
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uct
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e En
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ilmTh
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s
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nge
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o +6
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0 ˚C
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o
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o
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to +
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C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 12
Important questions to ask a supplier
Who is the manufacturer
Be sure to ask questions about a companyrsquos financial backing their market share technology reputation where the product is made if the product has support services located in Australia and how long the manufacturer has been operating in the market
Is the product reliable
Make sure the microinverter meets Australian Standards is engineered to the highest possible standards and can perform in harsh environmental conditions To source information on quality and performance contact a reputable supplier who will be able to advise an installer on the relative quality and performance of different technologies and products
What is the efficiency of the product
When looking at efficiency be sure to look for weighted efficiency numbers Some manufacturers quote peak efficiency which is a best-case metric for product performance A weighted efficiency looks at performance in a more real-world context
Is the product proven in the field
Make sure the microinverter has been thoroughly tested and that this is backed up by performance data that demonstrates reliability
When evaluating microinverter products it can be challenging to understand what value one will receive for the money spent
Buyers should think about the value for money they will receive with the products purchased rather than price alone What might seem cheaper up front could end up costing much more in the long term if the product doesnrsquot last and deliver the promised value
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Prod
uct
man
ufac
ture
rEn
phas
e En
ergy
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Prod
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xam
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and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 13
Common mistakes when purchasing ndash and how to avoid themBuyers often make the mistake of not looking into the company behind the products It is not enough to offer a microinverter the backing of the company will be what ultimately delivers the best solar experience Should there ever be any issues that require addressing a stable long-lasting company who focuses on customer satisfaction and support is a part of what a buyer is purchasing
Take the time to do initial research into the company offering the products This information can be found on microinverter manufacturersrsquo and suppliersrsquo websites
Consider the following
Financial performance track record
Market share
Length of time in business
Location of headquarters and local offices
Another common mistake installers make is buying a microinverter based on price alone The cost of just one trip back to a roof to replace a microinverter or rectify a problem easily outweighs the savings made by using a cheap microinverter
Other common mistakes include
Incorrect sizing of the AC cable between the switchboard and the array
Incorrect branch sizing (ie too many microinverters per branch)
Forgetting to write down microinverter serial numbers
A reputable wholesaler will provide installation checklists and cable sizing schedules specific to each microinverter system
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Prod
uct
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this
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sYe
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sYe
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sYe
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s
Wha
t A
ustr
alia
n St
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rds
does
thi
s pr
oduc
t m
eet
AS4
777
AS4
777
23
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100
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777
AS
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AS4
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ived
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edia
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odul
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llsFl
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ut ra
ting
225
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ype
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Sol
ar
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ePo
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cito
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ectr
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ectr
olyt
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ectr
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ic
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trol
ytic
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ectr
olyt
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in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
apac
itor
sFi
lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
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o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
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-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
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-40
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o
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o
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to +
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C-4
0 to
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˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 14
Important considerations for your next microinverter pur-chase a checklist
Know your system specifications before making any
microinverter purchase
Consider if the microinverter is part of a complete
microinverter system including communications
hardware and a software platform Each of these
system elements must be as technologically
advanced as the microinverter itself
Ensure monitoring system requirements and selected
microinverter are compatible
Check the output rating and overall compatibility of
the microinverter with the proposed PV module
Ensure technical support is readily available from
supplier
Obtain pricing for a number of systems for
comparison
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Prod
uct
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ufac
ture
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e En
ergy
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edia
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edia
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ut ra
ting
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ecti
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ype
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sy C
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sy C
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olar
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EC P
ak
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tion
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Sol
ar
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typ
ePo
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e co
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e co
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icat
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irel
ess
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eles
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ns
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r ty
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ectr
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ectr
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icEl
ectr
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ic
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trol
ytic
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ectr
olyt
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ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
apac
itor
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lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+65
˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+85
˚C-4
0 ˚C
to
+7
5 ˚C
-40
to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 15
About usFounded in 2009 i-Energy is a pioneer in advanced PV power optimisation and conversion products for residential and commercial applications dedicated to making smart renewable energy for all i-Energyrsquos
solar microinverter solutions offer high reliability increased energy optimisation enhanced safety and simplified installation and service to the solar energy field
About usEnphase Energy (Nasdaq ENPH) is the worldrsquos leading provider of microinverter systems Since introducing the first commercially-available microinverter in 2008
Enphase has shipped over 3 million units into 11 countries across the globe and is the number one residential inverter supplier in the Americas Enphasersquos microinverter technology increases energy production simplifies design and installation improves system uptime and reliability reduces fire safety risk and provides a platform for intelligent energy management wwwenphasecomau
About the sponsors
About usAC Solar Warehouse is Australiarsquos leading solar wholesaler specialising in microinverters and AC solar equipment We offer competitive pricing on leading brand microinverters and AC solar modules including
products from Enecsys Enphase iEnergy APS Power One BenQ Solar and Solarland We provide professional unbiased advice as to the most appropriate product for any particular installation Our customers have access to AS3000 compliant installation drawings installation and troubleshooting checklists switchboard labels and all the information and advice required to competitively provide residential and commercial customers with access to this breakthrough technology
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Prod
uct
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ture
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e En
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ived
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ass
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730
(Fir
e C
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Del
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me
for
prod
uct
Imm
edia
teIm
med
iate
4 w
eeks
4 w
eeks
Imm
edia
teIm
med
iate
Imm
edia
teIm
med
iate
Imm
edia
te
Com
pati
ble
PV m
odul
e ty
pes
60 c
ell
627
0 ce
llsFl
oati
ng
or p
osit
ive
term
inal
gr
oun
din
g
Floa
tin
g or
pos
itiv
e te
rmin
al
grou
ndi
ng
Mos
t 60
an
d 72
ce
ll m
odu
les
Mos
t 60
cel
l mod
ule
sBe
nQ
Sol
ar
PM24
5P00
Sola
rlan
d A
C
mod
ule
s of
any
si
ze
Sola
rlan
d A
C
mod
ule
s of
any
si
ze
Mod
ule
conn
ecto
r ty
peM
C4
MC
4 co
mpa
tibl
eM
C4
MC
4M
C4
com
pati
ble
(QC
)
MC
4 co
mpa
tibl
e (A
mph
enol
)M
C4
com
pati
ble
(Am
phen
ol)
MC
4M
C4
AC
outp
ut ra
ting
225
W A
C23
0 W
250
W30
0 W
250
W24
0 W
250
W23
8 W
238
W
AC
conn
ecti
on t
ype
Tru
nk
cabl
eD
aisy
Ch
ain
Tru
nk
cabl
eTr
un
k ca
ble
Dai
sy C
hai
nTr
un
k ca
ble
Dai
sy C
hai
nA
C C
onn
ecti
on
ndash A
PP S
olar
SP
EC P
ak
AC
Con
nec
tion
ndash
APP
Sol
ar
SPEC
Pak
Com
mun
icat
ions
typ
ePo
wer
lin
e co
mm
un
icat
ion
sPo
wer
lin
e co
mm
un
icat
ion
sW
irel
ess
Wir
eles
sPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
nsW
i-Fi
Wi-
FiPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
nsPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
ns
Capa
cito
r ty
peEl
ectr
olyt
icEl
ectr
olyt
icEl
ectr
olyt
ic
Elec
trol
ytic
El
ectr
olyt
icTh
in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
apac
itor
sFi
lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+65
˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+85
˚C-4
0 ˚C
to
+7
5 ˚C
-40
to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 16
About usPower-One is the worldrsquos second largest designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters Its renewable energy products enable the industryrsquos highest yielding
conversion of power from both solar arrays and wind farms for use by utilities and homes Power-One has a 40-year history as the leader in high efficiency and high density power supply products for a variety of industries including renewable energy data storage and networking industrial and network power systems The company is headquartered in Camarillo California and has global sales offices manufacturing and research and development operations in Asia Europe and the Americas
About usSolarland Australia the joint venture of Solarland International and a group of local Australian renewable energy professionals is the wholesale supplier of
Solarlandrsquos products in Australia Solarland is a world class manufacturer of PV panels based out of Wuxi China and exports its products around the world Based in Sydney New South Wales Solarland Australia supplies a range of CEC-approved on-grid and off-grid products to the Australian and Pacific region
A solar installation at Corte Madera School in the Portola Valley California United States Image courtesy of Enphase Energy
Prod
uct
man
ufac
ture
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e En
ergy
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ergy
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s pu
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ase
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ars
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ived
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ass
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me
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edia
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eeks
4 w
eeks
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edia
te
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ble
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odul
e ty
pes
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ell
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llsFl
oati
ng
or p
osit
ive
term
inal
gr
oun
din
g
Floa
tin
g or
pos
itiv
e te
rmin
al
grou
ndi
ng
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t 60
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d 72
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ll m
odu
les
Mos
t 60
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l mod
ule
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nQ
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ar
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rlan
d A
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ule
s of
any
si
ze
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rlan
d A
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ule
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ze
Mod
ule
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r ty
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pati
ble
(QC
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mpa
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e (A
mph
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)M
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pati
ble
(Am
phen
ol)
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4M
C4
AC
outp
ut ra
ting
225
W A
C23
0 W
250
W30
0 W
250
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0 W
250
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8 W
238
W
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conn
ecti
on t
ype
Tru
nk
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eD
aisy
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ain
Tru
nk
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eTr
un
k ca
ble
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sy C
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ble
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sy C
hai
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onn
ecti
on
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olar
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EC P
ak
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tion
ndash
APP
Sol
ar
SPEC
Pak
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mun
icat
ions
typ
ePo
wer
lin
e co
mm
un
icat
ion
sPo
wer
lin
e co
mm
un
icat
ion
sW
irel
ess
Wir
eles
sPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
nsW
i-Fi
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wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
nsPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
ns
Capa
cito
r ty
peEl
ectr
olyt
icEl
ectr
olyt
icEl
ectr
olyt
ic
Elec
trol
ytic
El
ectr
olyt
icTh
in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
apac
itor
sFi
lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+65
˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+85
˚C-4
0 ˚C
to
+7
5 ˚C
-40
to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Prod
uct
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ture
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er-O
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ived
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gy C
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ass
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an E
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odul
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llsFl
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oun
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rmin
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t 60
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d 72
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ll m
odu
les
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t 60
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l mod
ule
sBe
nQ
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ar
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5P00
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rlan
d A
C
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ule
s of
any
si
ze
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rlan
d A
C
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ule
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ze
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ule
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ecto
r ty
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ble
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mpa
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e (A
mph
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)M
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pati
ble
(Am
phen
ol)
MC
4M
C4
AC
outp
ut ra
ting
225
W A
C23
0 W
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0 W
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0 W
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8 W
238
W
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conn
ecti
on t
ype
Tru
nk
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eD
aisy
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ain
Tru
nk
cabl
eTr
un
k ca
ble
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sy C
hai
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un
k ca
ble
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sy C
hai
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onn
ecti
on
ndash A
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olar
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EC P
ak
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tion
ndash
APP
Sol
ar
SPEC
Pak
Com
mun
icat
ions
typ
ePo
wer
lin
e co
mm
un
icat
ion
sPo
wer
lin
e co
mm
un
icat
ion
sW
irel
ess
Wir
eles
sPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
nsW
i-Fi
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FiPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
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nsPo
wer
line
co
mm
unic
atio
ns
Capa
cito
r ty
peEl
ectr
olyt
icEl
ectr
olyt
icEl
ectr
olyt
ic
Elec
trol
ytic
El
ectr
olyt
icTh
in F
ilmTh
in F
ilmFi
lm c
apac
itor
sFi
lm c
apac
itor
s
Am
bien
t te
mpe
ratu
re ra
nge
-40
˚C t
o +6
5 ˚C
-4
0 ˚C
to
+65
˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
to 7
5 ˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+65
˚C
-40
˚C t
o
+85
˚C-4
0 ˚C
to
+7
5 ˚C
-40
to +
65 ˚
C-4
0 to
+65
˚C
Prod
uct e
xam
ples
and
spe
cific
atio
ns
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 18
Featured product
Enphase M215Based on Enphasersquos third generation technology the M215 incorporates the latest innovations in power electronics and custom microchips to deliver 96 per cent CEC efficiency and a range of patented performance features that maximise the performance of 60 cell solar modules
In addition the M215 is lightweight and offers a lsquosingle-boltrsquo mounting bracket that makes installation easier than any other inverter on the market
The Enphase Microinverter System improves energy harvest increases reliability and dramatically simplifies design installation and management of solar power systems
The Enphase System includes the microinverter the Envoy Communications Gateway and Enlighten Enphasersquos monitoring and analysis software
ProductiveMaximum energy production
Resilient to dust debris and shading
Performance monitoring
ReliableSystem availability greater than 998 per cent
No single point of system failure
SmartQuick and simple design installation and management
247 monitoring and analysis
SafeLow-voltage DC
Reduced fire risk
Enphasersquos M215 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 19
Featured product Microinverter GT260The i-Energy microinverter solutionThe i-Energy microinverter solution offers significant advantages over deployment of conventional string or central inverters These include
Increased energy harvestCompared with string inverters the i-Energy microinverter delivers 5-25 greater energy harvest per solar module by applying Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to each solar module to optimise energy harvest The normalised energy harvest of the i-Energy GT260 can reach over 6 kW in good weather conditions As a result with microinverter deployment there is no dramatic reduction in system output when a solar module or part of a module has its output reduced by shading or surface debris
Enhanced system monitoringThe i-Energy microinverter solution features real-time monitoring of each panel to track performance and pinpoint any problems You can easily troubleshoot or do fault-isolation to a single point with microinverters even remotely via the web or mobile devices
Improved safety The i-Energy microinverter eliminates the need for DC cables carrying high voltage currents from the PV module to the string inverters and the risks associated with high voltage DC wires such as arc-faults This not only improves the safety of the solar power system for system owners and installers but simplifies installation as well
Simple scalabilityWith the i-Energy microinverter adding solar panels to a preexisting solar system is simple and straightforward Simply add the additional number of solar panels needed and install the same number of microinverters
Ease of installationi-Energy offers true Plug and Play installation with a fully-integrated cableconnector with the GT260 inverter unit This saves the costs of additional cables and connectors for the system contributing to overall lower balance of system costs in terms of both labour and materials in addition to the elimination of the need to wire high voltage DC cable connections
Reliable and rugged design i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed for a service life of 25 years compared with a 10-12 year life of a typical string inverter and operate in real world conditions from -40 degC to +85 degC achieving a peak efficiency of 945 per cent for high reliability over the temperature range To achieve high reliability i-Energyrsquos microinverters are designed and built with
Highest grade electronic components (such as high end E-capacitors)
Simpler electronic board design with lower part count
Rugged external chassis with a proprietary heat management design
Waterproof and dust-proof protective vent and internal sealing
Deployment flexibility The i-Energy microinverter can be used with both 60 and 72 cell PV panels offering additional deployment flexibility for the installer and system owner
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 20
Featured product MICRO-03-I-OUTDPower-Onersquos new AURORA MICRO establishes a new concept in PV inverters designed to satisfy the key and common needs of all those involved during the lifetime of a plant
Problem-free designThe AURORA MICRO gives you the greatest possible design flexibility
With AURORA MICRO there are no longer strings to scale and orientations that must be respected this increases the space that can be used for the plant thus rendering usable roof pitches that cannot be reached with a string inverter with no more than 2 MPPT channels
Thanks to the DC decoupling of the panels and to the wide range of input voltage from 12 to 60 volts (with an absolute maximum of 65 volts) AURORA MICRO offers the further design freedom of being able to install modules of different make and performance
Small but a big performerThanks to its double-switch topology with high frequency galvanic isolation AURORA MICRO can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of
Efficiency achieving a peak performance of 965 per cent (CEC = 960 per cent) among the best in its inverter class
Safety in the case of maintenance or fire simply flick the general plant switch on the AC panel and the MICRO now disconnected from the grid will immediately go into stand-by mode in this state the voltage at its AC clamps and the maximum DC voltage on the plant is that of the panel (which is intrinsically safe given that the values are typically below 120 volts) and no longer that of the string (hundreds of volts)
DC grounding thanks to the grounding of the positive input pole AURORA MICRO is suitable both for panels that do not need grounding and panels that require the positive pole to be grounded
Guaranteeing return on investmentBesides its high level of efficiency worthy of a much bigger inverter the real strength of MICRO is the ability to maximise the potential of each panel in your plant at any moment of the day with the objective of achieving a return on the investment as quickly as possible
Monitoring panel by panelThe presence of wireless communication between each MICRO and AURORA CDD enables constant monitoring of the production of each individual PV panel 24 hours a day
Guaranteed productionShould a string inverter break down the whole plant stops producing energy while in the case of a breakdown of MICRO only the energy produced by a single panel is lost In fact by using MICRO the chance of losing the whole power of the plant due to the inverter becomes practically zero Power-Onersquos MICRO-03-I-OUTD microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 21
Featured product Enecsys Gen2 microinverterThe Enecsys second-generation microinverter dramatically boosts energy harvest through a combination of improved efficiency and increased maximum output power ability
The Enecsys second-generation microinverter is offered in increments from 240 W up to 300 W maximum AC output with a microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency of 965 per cent
Enecsys technology is at the forefront of maximum energy harvest capacity and has the broadest global certifications
The microinverter is accompanied by a next generation Enecsys Gateway enabling seamless field configurability and upgradability along with the Enecsys Monitoring System This drives system owners and installers the ability to monitor energy production on a panel-by-panel basis in real-time and to pro-actively and precisely address any maintenance issues
The Enecsys second-generation microinverterrsquos packaging has been significantly redesigned featuring a new patented form factor with an integrated mounting method This hermetically sealed package along with the incorporation of high reliability components assures a reliable solution backed by an impressive 20 year warranty
Maximised harvestbull Delivers microinverter industry-leading peak efficiency
bull Lessens the impact of shading and debris to the array
bull Maximum Power Point Tracking at each module maximises array output
Simplified PV array design and installationbull Field configurable for Australian voltage and frequency settings
bull Menu-driven monitoring guides installers through the set-up process
bull Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies and accelerates installation time
Enhanced monitoring capabilitybull Real-time monitoring for each module
bull Historical pattern of energy generation and total energy generated
bull Mobile access capability
Increased lifetime and reliabilitybull Extensive temperature range (-40 to +85˚C) to address Australian conditions
bull IP 67 connections to maintain system integrity
Improved safetybull Installer safety
improved by eliminating high-voltage DC
bull Reduced fire risk by eliminating arc failures from DC wiring The Enecsys Gen2 microinverter
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
Sponsors
The Australian Microinverter Guide 22
Featured product Solarland TrueACTM ModuleWith the Solarland SLP250-230AC TRUEACtrade Module retailers and installers can offer their customers a complete roof-ready AC module solution
TRUEACtrade Modules are not DC Modules with detached microinverters they are real AC modules that are factory-assembled and come with an integrated 25 year warranty
Solarlandrsquos TRUEAC modules are designed to capture up to 25 per cent more energy per site and cut installation time by up to 50 per cent
An installation using TRUEACtrade Modules will have the following features
Pantheon II MicroinverterSolarBridge Technologiesrsquo microinverters have no failure-prone components such as electrolytic capacitors optoisolators or tantalum capacitors
The patented architecture requires a fraction of the capacitance of traditional inverter architectures enabling the use of highly reliable film capacitors
Power ManagerThe SolarBridge Power Manager serves as the communications hub of the solar array and constantly monitors the performance of every module All communications take place with the AC modules over AC wiring mdash no additional data cabling or wireless repeaters are required
The SolarBridge Power Manager communicates directly with the SolarBridge Power Portal
Power PortalThe Power Portal is a web-based management system that enables system owners installers and module manufacturers to monitor system performance 247
The Power Portalrsquos rich graphical interface is available through internet-connected computers and mobile devices
System owners and operators are instantly alerted to potential problems preventing costly downtime and reducing troubleshooting time and maintenance costs
The SolarLand SLP250-230AC
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
The Australian Microinverter Guide 23
Need more informationWe hope this guide has assisted you in the process of purchasing microinverter products
Interested in any of the featured products or want to know more about microinverters
Website wwwacsolarwarehousecom
Phone Number 1300 55 44 67
Fax Number 07 5636 1009
Postal Address PO Box 408 Cairns QLD 4870
Business Address Unit 9 4 Tingira Street Cairns Queensland 4870
Contact Email infoacsolarwarehousecom
Website wwwi-energyinccom
Phone Number +886 22545-8097
Fax Number +886 22546-6523
Address 7F-4 No128 Sec 3 Mingsheng E Rd Taipei Taiwan 105 ROC
Contact Email contacti-energycomtw
Website wwwsolarlandcomau
Phone Number +61 2 9450 2095
Address Unit 8 20 Narabang Way Belrose New South Wales 2085
Contact Email infosolarlandcomau
Website wwwenphasecomau
Phone Number 03 8669 1679
Contact by visiting httpenphasecomcontactus
Contact Email aus-supportenphasecom
Phone Number +61 2 9735 3111
Fax Number +61 2 9763 2422
Address 34 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127
Contact Email salesaustraliapower-onecom
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news
The Australian Microinverter Guide 24
Need more information
EcoGeneration is Australiarsquos leading clean energy publication Recognised as one of the strongest business-to-business brands in Australia at the recent Publishers Australia Awards EcoGeneration integrates content over print online social media and event platforms to maximise reach and engagement
Click here to subscribe to EcoGeneration magazine SPECIAL EDITIONIntroducing the APVIOur place in the clean energy worldWind myths busted
An Independent Australian Energy Reserve Authority
issue 78 | october 13PRINCIPAL MEDIA PARTNER ndash ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA 2013
The role of renewables
normalThe new
in our energy markets
Click here to sign up for EcoGenerationlsquos free newsletters including the recently launched solar
installer newsletter
Click here to follow EcoGeneration on twitter
Click here to learn more about EcoGenerationrsquos Australian Solar Installersrsquo Industry Guide the valuable handbook for solar system designers and installers featuring reference tools measurement conversions common electrical symbols industry contacts and more
Click here to view EcoGenerationrsquos full suite of clean energy industry products
THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR INSTALLERSrsquo INDUSTRY GUIDEA handy reference guide to solar-specifi c standards accreditation and conversions
1st edition
e-news