micro inverter

I was not sold on the micro inverter “Enphase” as they first were first marketed. Being concerned about the reliability and long-term effects of being installed in a site that is exposed to extreme temperatures.  My first thought was of having to get up on a roof and replace an inverter when it goes bad and the fact that you may have to come back and do this several times causing repeat call backs to a customer’s home.  The other option would be a central inverter placed in the utility room of the building that could be replaced in the matter of  about an hour.  This seamed to be the logic that was winning out in my mind.  Then as I looked more at the product.  Finding that the inverter comes with a 15 year warranty and they use an electrolytic capacitor set my mind at ease with this new product.  Like any other produce on the market it has its place.  For a small array that has some shading issues, the Enphase can harvest as much as 50% more energy.  With a central inverter,  the entire array performance is limited to the worst performing module or even just a few cells within the module.  Allowing for more power harvest in a huge advantage for the “Enphase inverter”.http://www.enphaseenergy.com/products/moreinfo/howitworks.cfm

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