Webinar Training 041609

Micro-Inverter System Installation Recommendations

Jeff Laughy Applications Engineer

Enphase Micro-Inverter

Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 2 ]

One Micro-inverter per PV Module

Photovoltaic Cell


Building Block of PV Modules

Each cell produces .5 Vdc

Monocrystalline cell - a thin slice cut from a single crystal of silicon, highest efficiency 17%

Polycrystalline cell – liquid silicon is poured into blocks, then sliced, more cost efficient, lower efficiency, 15%

Monocrystalline Cell

Polycrystalline Cell

Typical Configurations


54 cells in series

60 cells in series

72 cells in series produce enough voltage to charge 24V batteries (24 volt nominal)

84 cells in series

Maximum Power Point


Voltage varies with Temperature

Current varies with Irradiance

Power equals Voltage x Current 5.25 A x 40.0 V = 210 Watts

Short Circuit Current Isc 5.75 A Open Circuit Voltage Voc 47.7 V Max Power Current Imp 5.25 A Max Power Voltage Vmp 40.0 V

Series String


Current is equal in a series circuit, unshaded string would produce 5.25 amps x 40 volts = 210 watts per module, 5 modules at full power = 1050 watts per string.

Series String Shaded


Lowest performing module determines the current for the string, a single shaded module could reduce the current to 2 amps

2 amps x 40 volts = 80 watts per module, 5 modules at 80 watts = 400 watts per string, 38% of max.

Micro-inverter Branch


In the micro-inverter branch only one modules current reduced to 2 amps

1 module at 80 watts 4 modules at 210 watts = 840 watts Power produced per branch = 920 watts, 87% of max.

[ 9 ]

Burst Mode

STORING BURSTING BURSTING BURSTING STORING

Roof Top Array Temperatures




Location Data

AC Power output 124 Watts

Ambient Air Temp (Ta) 113.56 °F

Metal Roof Surface Temp (Troof) 147.42 °F

Module Glass Temp (Tframe) 125.10 °F

Under Module Air Temp (Tamb) 110.10 °F

Micro-Inverter Internal Temp (Tinv) 120.07 °F

Micro-inverter Technical Data 60 and 72 Cell Modules, 240 Vac

 Input Data (DC) –  Recommended Input Power (STC) 230 Watts –  Peak Power Tracking Voltage 22V – 40V –  Maximum DC Voltage 54V –  Positive Ground

 Output Data (AC) –  Maximum Output Power 190 Watts –  Nominal Output Current .80 Amps –  Maximum number of inverters per 15 amp branch circuit 15


Distribution Panel Connections 240 Vac Single Phase

Voltage Drop Considerations, 240 Vac

External Branch (Home Run) Wiring Maximum Distance in Feet

Micro-Inverters per Branch

Wire 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

14 AWG 126 103 84 68 54 42 31 21 12

12 AWG 199 163 133 107 86 66 49 33 19

10 AWG 318 260 212 171 137 106 78 53 30

8 AWG 507 414 337 273 218 169 125 84 48

6 AWG 804 656 535 433 345 267 198 135 76


The table below provides recommendations for wire size from the junction box at the beginning of the Micro-inverter branch to the main load center based on distance.

Micro-inverter Technical Data, 60 and 72 Cell Modules, 208 Vac

 Input Data (DC) –  Recommended Input Power (STC) 230 Watts –  Peak Power Tracking Voltage 22V – 40V –  Maximum Input Voltage 54V –  Positive Ground

 Output Data (AC) –  Maximum Output Power 190 Watts –  Nominal Output Current .92 Amps –  Maximum number of inverters per 15 amp branch circuit 21


Distribution Panel Connections 208 Vac Three Phase


Voltage Drop Considerations, 208 Vac

External Branch (Home Run) Wiring Maximum Distance in Feet

Micro-Inverters per Branch

Wire 6 9 12 15 18 21

14 AWG 479 303 209 148 104 69

12 AWG 759 481 332 235 165 109

10 AWG 1212 768 531 376 263 174

8 AWG 1932 1224 846 599 419 277

6 AWG 3061 1939 1340 950 664 438


The table below provides recommendations for wire size from the junction box at the beginning of the Micro-inverter branch to the main load center based on distance. The table is in increments of 3 inverters, always round up to the next increment.

Distribution Panel Connections 208 Vac Three Phase with LCF



The Enphase Micro-Inverter System Site Installed Components

Micro-Inverters One inverter per-module

Communication Gateway Each gateway supports 250 inverters

AC Interconnect Cable, End Cap One per 15 amp branch circuit

Junction Box Adapter Plate One per 15 amp branch circuit

Micro-Inverter System


Branch Circuit Cable Layout

  Inverter branches can be routed horizontally, vertically, or a combination of both directions.

  Standard Inverter cable lengths are 6 ft, extension cables are available in 6 ft, 12 ft and 20 ft lengths.


Micro-Inverter Installation

Step 1 - Junction Box Adapter Plate Step 2 - Attaching the Micro-Inverter Step 3 - Connecting the Circuit Cables Step 4 - Grounding Conductor Connection Step 5 - Installation Map Step 6 - Module Connection


Indicates a fact or feature very important for the safety of the user.

Indicates an Enphase recommendation or best practice.

Junction Box Adapter Plate

Mount an outdoor rated junction box to the adapter plate.

This junction box is used to connect the inverter pigtail to the cable or conduit that has been run to the main load center.


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Install the Enphase adapter plate and junction box assembly to the module racking.



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Connect the Enphase AC interconnect cable to the junction box.

Standard Inverter pigtail length is 6 ft, longer pigtails are available in 12 ft and 20 ft lengths.



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Mark the approximate centers of each PV module on the racking system. (module width plus 1” for clips)

Avoid aligning the Inverter with the Module junction box.


Attaching the Micro-inverter

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Attach the Enphase Micro-inverters at the module centers using the racking manufacturer’s hardware.

Orient the inverter so that the inverter connector with male pins is toward the load center.


Attaching the Micro-inverter

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Connect the first Enphase Micro-inverter to the Enphase AC interconnect cable.

Orient the inverter so the male connector is toward the junction box.


Connecting the Circuit Cables

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Connect the remaining Enphase Micro- Inverters. Ensure that the connectors are securely locked.

Use cable ties to secure the AC cables to the racking.



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Do not exceed the maximum number of Enphase Micro-inverters per branch circuit listed on the product label.



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Attach the included protective end cap onto the unused connector of the last Enphase Micro- inverter.



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Connect the grounding conductor to each Enphase Micro-inverter in the location marked “Grounding Electrode Terminal”.


Grounding the Conductor Connection

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Route a single grounding conductor through all the inverters.

Connect a short length of Ground wire to each module

Separate conductors for the modules and inverters may be installed.


Grounding Conductor Connection

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Peel one of the two labels from each Enphase Micro- inverters and place the label on the Enphase installation map to show the relative physical location of the modules.


Installation Map

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Connect the PV modules to the Enphase Micro- inverters.


Module Connections

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DC Disconnection Procedure

Do not disconnect module connectors under load.

Disconnecting AC first will eliminate the DC current prior to disconnecting the module.

Individual modules could also be covered prior to disconnecting cables during daylight hours


Energy Management Unit Installation

Step 1 - Power Connection Step 2 - Network Connection Step 3 - EMU Startup Step 4 - Enlighten Registration Step 5 - Fax the Inverter info Step 6 – The Enlighten web site


Indicates a fact or feature very important for the safety of the user.

Indicates an Enphase recommendation or best practice.

Connect the power cord to the EMU power inlet, then plug the power cable into a power outlet somewhere near your internet router.


Power Connection

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Do not plug the EMU into a power strip or Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), the surge suppression or filtering components of the power strip could disrupt the EMU power line communications.


Power Connection

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Plug the provided CAT5/6 twisted pair Ethernet patch cable into the RJ45 on the EMU.

Plug the other end of the Ethernet patch cable into the broadband router.


Network Connection

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It takes less than 5 minutes for the EMU to boot. You know that it has booted when it displays An IP address, and shows “+WEB” both in the onboard LCD window.


EMU Startup

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A newly installed EMU will scan for 1 week.

To restart a scan or perform a communication check once the EMU has booted, press and hold the button labeled “SCAN” on the front for 2 seconds. This will enable The LCD panel menu.


EMU Startup

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Continue holding the “SCAN” button until the desired menu option appears. Release the “SCAN” button to select a menu option.


EMU LCD Panel Menu

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Device Scan During a device scan the display shows the following:

Communication Check After a communication Check the display shows the following


EMU Startup

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192.168.2.140 (or whatever the local IP address is)

+WEB (indicating that it made a connection to the internet)

(n)W (indicating the present power production in watts)

(n)kWh (indicating the lifetime watt hours reported to this EMU)

(n) (indicating the number of Micro-Inverters reporting to the EMU)


EMU Startup

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Register the EMU with the Enlighten web site by entering the EMU serial number and the site information.


Enlighten Registration

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Fax the completed installation map from the Micro-inverter installation to Enphase at 707-763-0784.


Fax the Micro-inverter Information

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Direct Connection to Envoy


Once the website is configured, energy data will be displayed on the Enphase Enlighten™ website on a per PCU, per module basis.


The EnlightenTM Website

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Branch Circuit Calculations, 240 Vac

 Circuit Current Calculation –  Maximum Output Power = 190 Watts AC –  190 W ÷ 240 V = .80 Amps –  .80 x 15 inverters = 12.0 amps / branch

 Overcurrent Protection Calculation –  12.0 x 1.25 = 15.0 Amps

 Conclusions: –  Install 1 to 15 Inverters per branch, up to 2850 Watts –  Minimum 2 Pole 15 Amp circuit breaker, 14 AWG wire

size.


Branch Circuit Calculations, 208 Vac

 Circuit Current Calculation –  Maximum Output Power = 190 Watts AC –  190 W ÷ 208 V = .92 Amps –  .92x 7 inverters per phase = 6.44 amps per phase –  6.44 x 1.73 = 11.14 amps per leg

 Overcurrent Protection Calculation –  11.14 x 1.25 = 13.92 Amps

 Conclusions: –  Install 1 to 21 inverters per branch, up to 3990 Watts –  Minimum 3 Pole 15 Amp circuit breaker, 14 AWG wire

size. Enphase Energy Proprietary & Confidential [ 55 ]

Performance Monitoring Reporting Service


Enphase Energy is an approved PMRS provider, the Energy Tracking LLC, Web Enabled Meter communicates directly with the Enphase EMU. The metered data is then forwarded to the participating utility.

Enlighten login, Presentation downloads


[email protected]

Password - microinverter

Downloads of presentations

http://www.box.net/shared/r7vj5pje3e

Webinar Training 041609

Technology

Transcript of Webinar Training 041609