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Micro Inverters Rule the Entry Level System Category |
Enphase has found a great niche in the
small DIY system market. The Enphase Micro Inverter can be as little as one
Inverter and as large as 100s of them.
This system is a great power producer
with 20 each 230W PV Modules and 20 M190 Inverters. This is a great example
of a Ground Array using UniRac ULA racking.
Below is the step by step process for a
basic installation.
Click Image to Enlarge |
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Preparing the Ground |
Left Image: Layout the 8 holes for the 2"
nominal SCH40 steel pipe.
Center Image: Dig (hopefully using a machine) the eight holes
Right Image: And don't forget the trench... |
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Ground Racks are a pleasure. |
Left Image: The poles have been set in concrete and everything is
square and neat. The ground was leveled.
Center Image: The kit includes the pole brackets, rail brackets and
rails. Just figure out where each piece goes and bolt away.
Right Image: It does take long to attach all the modules to the rails
using the Bottom Mount Clips.
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The Good Stuff |
End of Phase 2! All the modules are mounted to the rail system.
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Almost there. |
Left Image: The backside of the Array is easy to work on from the
Ground, one of my favorite places to hang out.
Center Image: We mount the Inverters in such a way to remove
them without affecting the PV Module.
Right Image: The Cable Management Expert is relieved that all 200
cable ties have been finally installed!
Click Image to Enlarge... |
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Make Power
(sans Cloudy Weather!) |
Another fine installation completed on time and under budget!
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Details |
Next, connect the Enphase Envoy, a data collection tool. This box
communicates to all the inverters via the power-cord between the Envoy and
the inverters. It collects energy harvest data as well as diagnostic
information. This Envoy is the new oval shaped plastic box. The old unit was
built like a tank (pictured as well...)
 
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Details |
Finally, the best part. Envoy also talks to the Enlighten website (for a
small annual fee). This software will display energy harvest over time for
each inverter, has cool movies of the days sun path and will alert you when
it knows something is not right (or thinks so based on the data trends).
You can also share the web link with your friends or check up on your
system while at work, errr, I mean not at home!
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