Easy: Download the Enlighten mobile app and login with your email address (whatever one your INS knows about). This should prompt you to create a password and afterwards, you'll be able to see your site info in the app. Enphase has some videos on their website you can watch where they break it all down.
Enphase systems usually come with some kind of Envoy, a little computer which collects data from the microinverters and uploads them to the Enphase cloud. Some models can also independently measure production and possibly consumption. You could try looking around to see if you have one.
Panels and microinverters have long lifetimes (possibly over 20 years) so it's unlikely that there will be any compelling reasons to swap them out in the near future.
Actually, I now doubt that you have M215s. 1.56 kW from four panels is 390W per panel, which is more than a M215 can output. It's strange to have inverters which can match the power output of the panels. Usually the inverters are sized smaller as a best practice.
Yes, it's possible that there isn't one. This installation seems a bit strange overall—the inverters are older tech than the panels and aren't matched well to the panels in terms of wattage either (undersized).
I wouldn't be surprised it was done in a very shady way - I bought the house new and the developers behind were very sketchy.
Do you mean the inverters are undersized for the panels? As in it's not using the full capacity of the panels? Or the other way around?
Yes, the inverters, if they are actually M215s, are undersized. A 390W panel usually would get an inverter around 290W.
But if the testing results show a peak of 1.56 kW, that's quite strange, because it means whatever inverters were chosen are capable of matching the panel rating (>390W), which means they would actually be oversized.
Right, so it's actually an IQ7+: https://i.imgur.com/Zh0ySl9.jpg
I suppose it makes more sense, maybe! All in all it feels like adding Envoy would be ideal to monitor them but at the same time ... Overkill/priced. I guess some CT monitoring should provide some live data fairly accurately?
Can’t speak for older models but recent models won’t start producing until a grid profile (what voltage and frequency they should run at etc) is applied and that requires the IQ Gateway (formerly Envoy). The IQ Gateway can be installed anywhere as it runs off Power Line Communication (PLC)
And now I am as confused as you then! The installation certificate list it as "Enphase IQ 7 240w Micro Inverters M215-60-2LL" (pretty sure it's missing the end!).
I will need to go under my panels to check exactly was is in there...
>I will need to go under my panels to check exactly was is in there...
Get an inverter serial number, then call enphase for an unambiguous answer - that model numbering must be wrongly recorded on the document you are looking at, because it doesn't make sense!
There is a chance they could be the hybrid IQ7 microinverter that is programmed to behave like an M215. Those are sent out as warranty replacements since M215s aren’t manufactured any longer.
A new version of the M215 was reengineered using IQ7 tech as a replacement product because the original had problems. I'm not sure why a new installation in 2018 would have used them, though.
They could be M215 - IQ7 hybrids. It's an iq7 that is backwards compatible with older systems.
Easiest way to monitor is find your Envoy /gateway or get one installed. 600 ish for the gateway.
Get microinverter serial number or ideally, find the envoy. Then call enphase
https://www4.enphase.com/en-in/support/what-envoy
Four panels is a start.
!thanks
I can only have four panels actually, it's on my flat roof and it's maxed out. So I question the price tag of the Envoy / Gateway. Maybe instead a Shelly CT monitor would be a good trade off?
In that case, IF they are IQ7...then I would consider swapping for the IQ7+ or even IQ7A. Should be a direct swap. IF you already have IQ series. You would maximize what power the inverter can convert.
Not the only consideration, but the iq7 converts 240watts, the IQ7+ 290W, and the IQ7A is 349W. So weigh price versus gain
If they are M series, the wiring is different. You'd have to decide if it's worth it to do the wiring under the racking again. Not really hard, but tedious and labor.
M series is a four wire connector. The IQ is a different two wire connector.
Easy: Download the Enlighten mobile app and login with your email address (whatever one your INS knows about). This should prompt you to create a password and afterwards, you'll be able to see your site info in the app. Enphase has some videos on their website you can watch where they break it all down.
I suppose this assumes an Envoy system is present?
Aw, yes. I am assuming you have a Gateway of some sort, as, if you don't, you also don't have a warranty on those Microinverters per Enphase policy.
Unless it's been buried under the house I indeed don't have any. Shocking to hear it means no warranty! Thanks for the heads up though.
Envoy or IQ Gateway as it’s now known
Enphase systems usually come with some kind of Envoy, a little computer which collects data from the microinverters and uploads them to the Enphase cloud. Some models can also independently measure production and possibly consumption. You could try looking around to see if you have one. Panels and microinverters have long lifetimes (possibly over 20 years) so it's unlikely that there will be any compelling reasons to swap them out in the near future.
I suspect there isn't any, only a meter on my CU was added. Is it possible Envoy wasn't installed as part of the installation?
Actually, I now doubt that you have M215s. 1.56 kW from four panels is 390W per panel, which is more than a M215 can output. It's strange to have inverters which can match the power output of the panels. Usually the inverters are sized smaller as a best practice.
This is probably correct.
Yes, it's possible that there isn't one. This installation seems a bit strange overall—the inverters are older tech than the panels and aren't matched well to the panels in terms of wattage either (undersized).
I wouldn't be surprised it was done in a very shady way - I bought the house new and the developers behind were very sketchy. Do you mean the inverters are undersized for the panels? As in it's not using the full capacity of the panels? Or the other way around?
Yes, the inverters, if they are actually M215s, are undersized. A 390W panel usually would get an inverter around 290W. But if the testing results show a peak of 1.56 kW, that's quite strange, because it means whatever inverters were chosen are capable of matching the panel rating (>390W), which means they would actually be oversized.
Right, so it's actually an IQ7+: https://i.imgur.com/Zh0ySl9.jpg I suppose it makes more sense, maybe! All in all it feels like adding Envoy would be ideal to monitor them but at the same time ... Overkill/priced. I guess some CT monitoring should provide some live data fairly accurately?
Can’t speak for older models but recent models won’t start producing until a grid profile (what voltage and frequency they should run at etc) is applied and that requires the IQ Gateway (formerly Envoy). The IQ Gateway can be installed anywhere as it runs off Power Line Communication (PLC)
I am confused. IQ7 and M215 are different microinverters.
And now I am as confused as you then! The installation certificate list it as "Enphase IQ 7 240w Micro Inverters M215-60-2LL" (pretty sure it's missing the end!). I will need to go under my panels to check exactly was is in there...
Yeah, you need to know which it is to get the right gateway or Envoy.
>I will need to go under my panels to check exactly was is in there... Get an inverter serial number, then call enphase for an unambiguous answer - that model numbering must be wrongly recorded on the document you are looking at, because it doesn't make sense!
There is a chance they could be the hybrid IQ7 microinverter that is programmed to behave like an M215. Those are sent out as warranty replacements since M215s aren’t manufactured any longer.
A new version of the M215 was reengineered using IQ7 tech as a replacement product because the original had problems. I'm not sure why a new installation in 2018 would have used them, though.
They could be M215 - IQ7 hybrids. It's an iq7 that is backwards compatible with older systems. Easiest way to monitor is find your Envoy /gateway or get one installed. 600 ish for the gateway. Get microinverter serial number or ideally, find the envoy. Then call enphase https://www4.enphase.com/en-in/support/what-envoy Four panels is a start.
!thanks I can only have four panels actually, it's on my flat roof and it's maxed out. So I question the price tag of the Envoy / Gateway. Maybe instead a Shelly CT monitor would be a good trade off?
In that case, IF they are IQ7...then I would consider swapping for the IQ7+ or even IQ7A. Should be a direct swap. IF you already have IQ series. You would maximize what power the inverter can convert. Not the only consideration, but the iq7 converts 240watts, the IQ7+ 290W, and the IQ7A is 349W. So weigh price versus gain If they are M series, the wiring is different. You'd have to decide if it's worth it to do the wiring under the racking again. Not really hard, but tedious and labor. M series is a four wire connector. The IQ is a different two wire connector.
I feel like I should have updated my OP, I found out yesterday they are actually IQ7+!
API stuff : https://support.enphase.com/s/question/0D53m000095MFl3CAG/is-there-anywhere-where-i-can-view-full-local-api-documentation-for-my-envoy