3 Reasons Micro-inverters beat DC Optimizers | Emphase Vs. SolarEdge 

SolarEdge provides individual panel monitoring also. I don’t see where your reason #2 is applicable.

In the UK the DNO's (District Network Operators) are placing more and more restrictions on both export limits and installed ac output capacity of PV & battery systems. This means that as time goes on, dc coupled battery systems are a much more attractive solution when designing PV & battery installations. With micro-inverters you can't have a dc coupled battery solution as there is no dc as such to couple the battery to (as it's converted to ac at the panel location), so you have to go for an ac coupled battery option which increases the total ac output of the system and hence is more likely to have a restriction imposed by the DNO.

Excellent info, thanks!

Danke für den Vergleich. ❤

My system is 6 years old and the grid tie solar edge inverter was just replaced due to failure. Our Solar install company notified us of the issue a week after failure when the new part arrived. We also have optimizers🤷‍♂. Would replacing with micro inverters be something I could do myself later on, once the warranty period is up?

Informative post thanks for helping research this!

Subscribed. Looking forward to new videos.

Another video comparison for you to consider is the SolArk 12k and 15k inverters that seem to be gaining market/popularity. Appreciate your video content and your easy to understand terminology

Does or can the combiner box fail or break often?

When I installed my Solaredge system in 2015 generally it was thought to be more reliable than Enphase, and cost almost $1k less. But that was when Enphase was on an early inverter version that had many failures. I think they've had many upgraded versions since. Not sure about your #2 reason though since SE has per panel monitoring, in fact I'm replacing an optimizer this week that seems to be marginal with power down 20% from normal.

Hi! Thanks for the video. Would you agree on the fact, that Microinverters also eliminates high DC voltage running trough roof installation and connectors. High DC voltage and poorly performed installation of connectors often ends up in a fire.

Have you any knowledge of Tigo optimisers. I have just installed 17 , 400 watt panels each equipped with a tigo. I agree with the single failure point but the system was cheaper.

Great video. Maybe you could talk about choosing micro inverter models, if such things exist.

I've been considering doing a DIY solar project. Since I have a decent sized property I plan on doing a ground mount system so I never have to deal with my roof aging and panels being in the way. I now will likely hire a installer but was wondering what your thoughts are. The thing I was considering is if I should run AC between my house and panels or DC. What I've read is that the limiting factor for wire size is based on the curent running through the wire. I will have around 450 feet of wire so keeping the size reasonable can be a important factor in the cost. I was thinking I could run DC up to around 550v so the amperage is relatively low allowing for smaller wire vs AC would be running either 120v or 240v (not sure which), either way would require heavier gauge wire. I've seen a few videos of systems that are setup for that high of DC voltage but not sure how many options there are. What would you recommend?

Have the Microinverters, each panel in the system was supposed to be monitored by the installer, Sullivan Solar in San Diego CA. They’re out of business, any solutions for a panel monitoring system?

how does the conenction from Micro-invertors to batteries work?? I have a system where I CANT output energy to the grid though I can draw down on the grid when i need it. So my batteries are essential to get me through each night. I use two twin 6,500w hybrid inverters, but am confused how that then works with my batteries?

Nice content hope your channel does well

Make a video of how mppt boost amps from solar panels,do they turn the excess voltage to amps ?

I am confused why the consumption CTs were put inside the combiner box instead of the main service panel. Shouldn't they measure the lines connecting the grid to your service panel?

Not sending dc anywhere but the micro inverter at the panel was a big factor for me.

Good explanation. I switched from DC to AC-micro-inverters last year when I upgraded our system adding battery backup. A lot of reasons why, but the biggest reason was the Powerwall "waitlist" and lack of support from them. Using my local installer of my system I switched to a complete EnPhase system and whole house backup. The education as you provide was also shared by my installer so I understood how the package would work. Cost was minimal overall, but the extra $$ was worth the results in not worrying about a failure, of either grid or panels. If I would've gone the PW route, I'd be very unhappy right now. We've had several outages in the last year alone and the system has been great with a very minimal delay (10sec. only when large powered items, i.e. well pump) were engaged at the time of outage. Otherwise, it's seamless. Keep delivering good honest content.

I would have made a video suggesting just the opposite. But they are both fine companies. Solaredge did have a bad product year that hurt their sales, but are on a growth track again.

With all the controversy regarding Optimizers versus Micro Inverters, I have to believe that solar component manufactures are all over this now, and in the very near future. It could be that patience and delaying an installation right now may be warranted.

Does it matter how big the system is for micro inverters? My solar guy is saying 64 panels is too much for micro inverters to be efficient

I have SolarEdge power optimizers and I get module level data.

I believe you are missing a few negatives with micro inverters. You do mention that they will be more expensive and you say they are likely more reliable then strings inverters. I might agree with you if you compare reliably in one micro inverter with one string inverter, but you are not accounting for there being many micro inverters in a single system (probably around 15-20). Simple failure analysis says that this many additional componets with the multiple micro inverters will fail more that a single string inverter. Another thing I don’t hear you or anyone one else talking about is the clipping (max power output clipping) that comes from micro inverters that can greatly reduce the max output of the system. Yes, you can go to a higher rated micro inverter but you are now over sizing the micro inverter and also over paying an additional amount to avoid the clipping. I am still unsure if micro inverter are really worth the addition cost (both in part cost, labor costs, and replacement cost when they do fail).

None of your points match my experience. I had enphase microinverters start failing at year six and all thirty were dead by year ten. I had to replace them myself, after paying several thousand dollars for the newer inverters since they don't actually have any of the old stuff to do warranty replacement. The warranty doesn't cover labor, so you're on your own dealing with the biggest cost of dealing with failed microinverters.

The DC optimizers and string inverters allow you to use DC to charge your batteries and it is more efficient. But your audience doesn't know that because they are watching you...I have two inverters and two batteries so there is redundancy. It also gives me the amperage to start my AC. Your point #2 is crap. Solar edge has panel level data in their app.

You over looked on big problem with DC .... cost of the wires... LOTS of money.

Replace all your micro inverters for the next coolest one? You're kidding right? What on earth is the labor cost on ripping up 30 panels, swapping out the inverter, reinstalling, with say some realistic level of installer damage and system degregation from additional wear tear stress flexing twisting etc cables....

Seriously, both companies doing a BS job, you said you was a pro but compared them. Wasting too much time for nothing