True to its word, Enphase Energy has started IQ8 microinverter shipments – with a few days left in the year to spare.
Just a quick explainer on microinverters:
In a typical home solar power system, all the panels are connected to a single solar inverter (known as a “string inverter”) that converts the DC (Direct Current) output from the panels to AC (Alternating Current) suitable for use by home appliances. A string inverter is around the size of a briefcase and is attached to a wall, often close to the meter box.
In a microinverter based system, a small device around the size of a paperback book performing this function is affixed to the rear of each solar panel (“AC solar panels”) or attached to the mounting rail beneath each module. You can learn more about microinverters here.
The world’s leader when it comes to microinverters is Enphase Energy – it has shipped more than 36 million of the devices.
In late October, Enphase Energy announced its long-awaited IQ8 microinverters should begin shipping in December for customers in North America. Earlier today, Enphase said it had started production shipments to those customers.
The stand-out feature of the IQ8 is its ability to form a microgrid during a blackout, providing backup power even without a battery – assuming the sun is shining of course.
IQ8 Models
There are 6 models in the IQ8 line-up, with varying maximum inputs (US datasheet available here – Australian datasheet not yet available):
- IQ8: 350 W
- IQ8+: 440 W
- IQ8M: 460 W
- IQ8A: 500 W
- IQ8H: 540+ W
- IQ8H 208v: 500+ W
IQ8 Modes
There are 4 configuration options for the IQ8 family of products:
- “Solar Only” – just a standard grid connect setup.
- “Sunlight Backup” – provides power during an outage without needing a battery.
- “Home Essentials Backup” – for use with a small home battery.
- “Full Energy Independence” – for installations with a large battery.
“We began piloting the product in the third quarter of 2021 with select installers and the feedback has been great,” said Enphase Energy president and CEO Badri Kothandaraman. “Homeowners not only get backup power with sunlight, but also have the flexibility to add more solar or batteries in the future as their needs change.”
IQ8 Microinverter Cost
Just as a very general guide, a US site I found retail pricing on indicated:
- IQ8: USD $167 (~AUD $230)
- IQ8: USD $189 (~AUD $260)
- IQ8M: USD $206 (~AUD $284)
- IQ8A: USD $223 (~AUD $308)
But wait, there’s more.
While the last three IQ8 configurations mentioned above may be “grid-agnostic”, they will require extra hardware that won’t be Enphase-agnostic.
The Sunlight Backup, Home Essentials Backup and Full Energy Independence modes will also require the Enphase IQ System Controller 2, which was formerly known as the Enpower Smart Switch. Among its functions, the System Controller automatically detects and transitions the home energy system from grid power to backup power in the event of a grid failure.
The System Controller 2 looks to be an expensive bit of kit – I’ve seen pricing on a US site around the USD $1,900 mark (AUD $2,600).
Additionally, if you want to prioritise and direct power to critical loads in the event of a grid outage in any mode, an Enphase IQ Load Controller is required – I couldn’t find any indicative pricing on that.
And if you want to add energy storage, it will need to be an Enphase battery.
IQ8 Availability In Australia
So, the big question now of course is – when will the IQ8 family of products be available in Australia? In October Enphase told me the signed off datasheets for Australia and timings for release here were expected to be finalised in the middle of last month, and they would keep me posted. I haven’t heard anything further, so I’ve given them a nudge and will update this post if any new information becomes available.
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very keen to extend my enphase system – i have 16kw PV (Tindo & IQ7+) export limited – any updates on Australian availability? is see enphase enpower items available online various i.e. https://tandem-solar-systems.com/product/enphase-enpower-smart-switch/
Any update on release date for 2022?
I’m afraid not. At the moment all sorts of projects are being delayed because of electronics shortages, so it’s really anyone’s guess when they’ll arrive.
Hi its the 26th of april. Could you give us the latest on the iq8 micro inverter for the Australian market as im about to have a Enphase syestem installed and i would hate to have one installed with the iq7 and find out that if i waited a month or two i could have the iq8. Regards Hans
Eight months ago an Enphase representative said for Australia:
“Alpha testing is planned currently for October/November with Beta testing to be done in November/December and then release to the market in January 2022.”
It’s now nearly the end of April and I’m still not aware of them being available. With delays occurring worldwide for electronics the delay may continue for considerably longer. The only good news I can give is Enphase microinverters are apparently manufactured in Mexico, so they won’t be affected by current COVID disruptions in China. Of course, they can be affected by plenty of other disruptions and may be reliant on parts from China.
It’s not overly clear how these new products align/replace previous ones.
Does anyone know if
(a) the IQ Combiner (which appears to be required between the Enphase microinverters and the IQ System Controller 2) essentially replaces the Envoy-S?
(b) the IQ System controller is a replacement for any previous product?
(c) the IQ System controller 2 really can’t mix series of inverters (e.g. IQ7 and IQ8) as noted in the Compatibility section of the product page (though it interesting such a limiting feature isn’t listed anywhere in the 13 page quick install guide). If so it seem very limiting as doesn’t Enphase commonly make a point of how you can add to your system?
Thanks
Sorry all, I now discovered this page, which shows the name changes of Enphase products! https://support.enphase.com/s/article/What-are-the-new-names-for-Enphase-products-And-why
So to follow-up my questions (and answer some)
(a) The IQ Combiner 4/4C includes an integrated Enphase IQ Gateway (with the Gateway being the new product to replace the Envoy-S). The Gateway is also available as a discrete separate product too.
(b) as per the link, the IQ System Controller is the replacement of the Enpower product
(c) I’m still struggling to confirm the IQ System Controller 2 doesn’t work with different inverters (e.g. some IQ7 and some IQ8 inverters) like it says on the product page, as the control of different groups of inverters seems to be the job of IQ Combiner (or multiple of them) which sits before the IQ System Controller, and this article (https://support.enphase.com/s/question/0D53m00007TdxWzCAJ/can-you-mix-existing-iq7-strings-with-a-new-string-of-iq8-and-utilize-the-same-envoy) seems to imply it is possible.
Many customers (including myself), want to know what each component does that they are buying and I don’t think Enphase are currently making this clear. I guess setup variations and apparent backward compatibility, along with product name changes, is not going to make this easy I guess.
It may actually be cheaper (or price competitive) to add a battery instead which will keep getting charged in case of outage and provide power at night.
Will the IQ Batteries be compatible with their existing 1.2 kWh Batteries and the current version of the Envoy? Put another way does Ensemble offer an upgrade path for an existing S and M Microinverter System?