My DIY Solar: Part 7 Warning Labels and Enphase IQ6+ Microinverters 

You actually inspired me three years ago to install my own Enphase micro inverter grid tie system. It has worked flawlessly. However, when I decided to install the battery back up option it has turned into an ongoing nightmare. I had to buy a $500 cell modem, finished the installer course and installed my system but now they want me to complete several other courses to turn it on. It is finished but I am unable to turn it on. Never again, Enphase is becoming very DIY unfriendly.

A Billion Thank you's for all your solar videos. I now have a 13kw system. I watched them at least 10 times each. I particularly liked the combiner box vids. My city signed off on my new system last week. I passed the racking inspection and pre-wire inspections with flying colors but I failed the rough wire 2nd inspection due to lack of labels. I had no idea the Rocky Mountain Power had a totally different list of solar placards then my city planning department. Anyway I had Office depot print out the six more labels and I glued them onto my outside connection boxes. My Solar disconnect looks like a rock concert advertisement telephone pole. So many labels one can not even see the disconnect anymore. My only real mistake was I cut my Enphase solar trunk cable too short so i had to add an enphase field connector. So fellow folk do not make the same mistake: If you have a stair stepped array (not all panels in a straight row, Enphase give you only long trunk cable. it is ok to skip one of the inverter plugs and go to the next. Example: 5 panels with 3 on top row and 2 on second row. You will need a truck cable with SIX connectors so you skip one connector when you run the cable from the top row to the second row. You just plug the unused inverter plug with an Enphase waterproof cap. you cover this at the 5:40 min mark but I missed this detail. So I am now waiting for RM Power to install my solar meter next week. Enphase has already tested my system remotely and pushed the latest software update. If you have an older install it is recommended that you have Enphase push and update as it may very well increase the efficiency of your inverters and panels. it is a free service and takes about 24hrs. Thanks to Mike, I used 10/2 romex throughout my system as romex does not require conduit in the attic. You can use a cheaper 12/2 but 10/2 i think is just more efficient due to the 100ft lengths of wire. My next project to to try to trick a portion of my arrays to supply power only to my two freezers. As you know a grid system shuts down when grid power is off. I want my freezers to run if there is a natural disaster. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am 66yrs old and this was all very doable do do myself. I did hire an off duty roof person to help haul the panels up to the roof. They were only 44lbs but very bulky.

nice tip.

just got a bit crazy on the labels...LOL

Why not do a line side tap to avoid the main breaker debating?

Do these run on 240 or 120 volt? Can you please respond. I just got my first Enphase IQ6 and it says 240v. Do they come on 120 volt?

Why did you have to derate the breaker?

Can you explain why you ran three separated conduits from the arrays instead of combining them all into one?

You’re in the valley? How was it working with SRP?

How did you decide what operating current to put on your label outside, the 35.1 amps

Can u tell the cost for the system and the size for the system Thank you

You are allowed to use non EMT/Metal conduit for outside?

Why did you have to rotate the micros?