SolarEdge Vs Enphase: Full Review Of The Best Solar Inverters

Written by Tim Rhodes Last Updated: Oct 1 2024

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Inverters are an important part of our solar system, hence the need for a comparison between two major brands, Solaredge vs Enphase.

Everyone wants the best technology or the best brand for their home or offices.

In this case, we’ll be comparing both brands, to help customers make an informed choice.

These two companies together own 80% of the local solar power inverters market.

So as to recognize key contrasts among SolarEdge and Enphase inverters, it’s essential to comprehend what a solar inverter is and what kinds of solar inverters are accessible in the market?

SolarEdge Vs Enphrase: A Full Comparison

What is a Solar Inverter? 

Solar panels aren’t the main segment that you ought to consider when you assess your nearby solar system. 

Solar power inverters do a similarly significant job in a solar system: they convert the power your solar panels make into a structure that can be utilized by the machines, lighting, and different hardware that are in your home. 

How Solar Inverters Work in a Solar Powered System?  

Direct current (DC), is the power that streams a single way. 

It’s the kind of power utilized by batteries and convenient gadgets, similar to your telephone and PC. 

This is the thing that your solar panels produce, however, your home can’t utilize DC power straightforwardly.

It’s the function of a solar inverter to transform the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC).

 Further explaining, at the point when the sun sparkles on your solar-powered system, electrons inside the solar cells begin to move around, which creates direct current (DC). 

Circuits inside the cells gather that energy for you to use in your home. 

This is the place your solar power inverter comes in. 

Most homes utilize alternating current (AC), not DC, so the energy created by your solar panels isn’t helpful all alone. 

At the point when your solar panels gather daylight and transform it into energy, it gets sent to the inverter, which takes the DC power and transforms it into AC power. 

By then, your solar power can control your machines and gadgets, or in case you’re creating more power than you need, it can transfer it back into the main grid. 

Types of Inverters:

There are three types of inverters i.e: String inverters, Micro-inverters, and Power optimizers.

String inverters:

are the traditional inverters in the solar industry.

 String inverter converts DC to AC power and is designed for high power DC inputs.

Micro-inverters:

or solar micro-inverters are small inverters that deal with the output of a single solar panel.

It is a device that converts DC generated from a single solar panel to AC power.

Power optimizers:

are the blend of both string inverters and micro-inverters.

It is a module-level power electronic (MLPE) gadget.

It increases the system’s energy yield by continually measuring the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of every individual solar panel, and adjusts DC characteristics to boost energy output.

Solaredge Inverters

SolarEdge comes with central inverters that pair with power optimizers. 

Their inverter for private use is the single-phase HD-Wave inverter. 

There is additionally a three-stage HD-Wave inverter, yet that is for business use (homes in the United States never have three-stage power).

With the SolarEdge system, there is a central inverter that is introduced in your basement, garage, or on an outside wall at ground level. 

It handles the DC-to-AC change for all the boards in the cluster.

Power optimizers improve the productivity of the framework, particularly in the case where solar panels are in the shade for the most part of the day. 

Similarly as with microinverters, there is a power optimizer unit that is mounted onto each solar panel. 

The power optimizers permit the system to deal with shading circumstances far better than a string inverter. 

 It likewise gives you panel-level monitoring. 

From a specialized perspective, a power optimizer is a maximum power point tracker (MPPT).

An MPPT unit permits an inverter to more readily manage shading issues, a circumstance that could make the whole array to lose power if not made up for.

While a traditional string inverter may have 1 to 3 inward MPPT units, with a power optimizer system there is one MPPT per solar board. 

This permits the solar system to get the most extreme power generation in partial shading circumstances.

Enphase Inverters

Enphase centers around microinverters, and doesn’t have any string inverters in their item lineup. 

With a micro inverter-based framework, each solar panel is combined with one micro-inverter that is mounted on the rear of the board. 

This implies the DC-to-AC transformation, happens directly at the rear of the board, so the unit must be tough to withstand the open air components for a couple of decades.

The most recent Enphase microinverters, are the IQ 7 Series. 

They enhance the past IQ 6 Series with an expanded most extreme yield power, making the IQ 7 Series appropriate for blending with exceptionally high effectiveness solar panels (evaluated at 400 watts or more) that are getting ordinary in-home solar systems. 

In case you’re going with lower effectiveness spending boards, you can set aside cash by picking the past age IQ 6 Series.

With the IQ 7 Series, there are three models to look over: the IQ 7, 7+, and 7X. 

The primary contrast between these models is the information and yield power. 

For lower power boards, the IQ 7 will do the trick. 

In case you’re utilizing bigger boards with higher cell checks, (for example, 72 cell boards that are basic in business and utility establishments), you should climb to the IQ 7+ or 7X.

Comparison: Solaredge vs Enphase

Now we move on to our main argument that is comparing the two big giants of the solar industry.

We’ll be comparing these two inverters step by step below.

Functionality:

Solar panels output power in DC, while homes, businesses, and also the grid are configured in AC.

 A solar inverter converts DC to AC power, seamlessly integrating the system with the grid.

Enphase utilizes microinverters:

With microinverters, each solar panel actually gets its own inverter, which is covered up underneath each solar panel. 

Each microinverter is wired to an aligned trunk cable before associating with your electric panel. 

The DC to AC transformation is done at the panel level.

This makes each solar panel self-ruling; the production of one panel/microinverter doesn’t influence the production of another.

SolarEdge inverters come with power optimizers:

SolarEdge inverter uses a central inverter with power optimizers.

Just like microinverters, you’ll have an optimizer underneath each solar panel and allow panel-level monitoring and power regulation.

But the electricity remains DC.

In contrast to microinverters, power optimizers do not transform the electricity from DC to AC.

Rather, a huge inverter is introduced on the side of your homes or buildings, or usually near the main service panel where the DC to AC change is done.

Micro-Inverter or Big Inverter: 

Enphase (Microinverter):

With enphase there is no big inverter required to install on the side of the building because underneath each solar panel a small microinverter is present. 

Rather, a small monitoring device is installed.

SolarEdge (Big inverter): 

SolarEdge requires the installation of a big inverter on the side of your homes or buildings, or usually near the main service panel in order to transform DC power to AC power.

Monitoring Systems:

Enphase:

In contrast to SolarEdge, Enphase doesn’t have any kind of monitoring platform that comes with the standard installation. 

Rather, you have to pay and upgrade your membership to avail of the monitoring service.

For Enphase Monitoring system Demo, click here.

SolarEdge:

SolarEdge’s monitoring portal permits module-level monitoring, liberated from any extra charge to the installer, client, or owner. 

In the event that a house owner sees that there are no savings on their system, with this platform, it is not difficult to analyze and investigate the issue.

As the stage has the information on the number of kilowatt-hours, created every hour or every day, it’s quite easy pinpointing an issue and investigating it.

For SolarEdge Monitoring system demo, click here. (Select any system on this site)

Monitoring Alerts:

While these systems are reliable, there is the uncommon possibility that something may turn out badly. 

In this uncommon situation  Monitoring Alerts permit you to get an email alert in a split second if your system identifies an issue with itself.

These alerts are also called Proactive Monitory Alerts.

Enphase:

In the case of Enphase these Proactive Monitoring Alerts, without much of a stretch, can be enabled. 

Enphase gives directions on how to enable these alerts.

SolarEdge:

SolarEdge doesn’t as of now permit a technique for end clients, to turn on Proactive Monitoring Alerts.

Warranty:

In the case of warranty, both the brands stand behind their product and replace the units quickly, if replacement is required.

Enphase:

Enphase gives a 25-year manufacturing warranty on all microinverters.

SolarEdge:

SolarEdge provides a 12-year manufacturing warranty on the inverter and 25-year warranty on the optimizer.

For an extra charge, there is an option to extend the inverter’s warranty to 25 years.

Efficiency:

One of the key measurements for any solar system is efficiency. 

This alludes to the measure of light that is changed over into power. 

With higher efficiency, you can create greater power with less solar panels.

With solar panel efficiency, inverter efficiency is also significant.

Inverter efficiency refers to the loss of power that occurs during the DC to AC power transformation.

SolarEdge:

In the SolarEdge system, you have two components to consider in this case: the central inverter, which records 99% efficiency, and the power optimizer, which records 99.5% productivity. 

The complete system effectiveness is these two numbers increased.

Enphase:

The Enphase IQ 7 series is marginally worse at 97% efficiency.

Despite this fact microinverters are as yet a better system when it comes to taking care of shade and confused housetop designs. 

Because of this, the general system efficiency of a micro inverter-based system will be somewhat better than one dependent on power optimizers.

Reliability:

Solar panels themselves are unshakable innovation where disappointment is incredibly uncommon. 

While inverter disappointment is as yet rare, when there are issues with a solar system, the reason is normally the inverter.

Enphase: 

Suppose a solar system has 30 solar panels so in the case of Enphase it will have 30 separate microinverters.

In the event that 1 inverter goes down, the staying 19 will keep on working without any incident.

With 1 microinverter down, the solar system will keep on working at 95% limit. When the substitution microinverter shows up and is traded out, the system will come back to 100% activity. 

SolarEdge:

Assume a solar system consists of 30 solar panels so in the case of SolarEdge it will have 30 power optimizers and 1 central inverter.

In the event that 1 power optimizer comes up short, the staying 19 power optimizers will keep working without any problem at 95% limit. 

When the substitution power optimizer shows up and is traded out, the system will come back to 100% activity. 

In any case, SolarEdge systems have an essential issue of disappointment on the grounds that there is a central inverter. 

On the off chance that that inverter comes up short, solar creation will drop to 0%. 

Just when the inverter is replaced the production will come back to 100%. 

Since it might take 2-3 weeks for a substitution inverter to show up, a bombed inverter can cause an enormous loss in solar creation.

Projected Long Life:

The warranty of any product gives the buyer a rough idea of how long the product will last.

Enphase: 

Past variants of Enphase microinverters accompanied just 15-year guarantees, and furthermore were famously tormented by reliability issues, something that Enphase has fundamentally admitted to.

From that point forward, Enphase has been taking a shot at improving item quality and expanded its item guarantee to 25 years. 

It’s been a few ages since the dangerous M190 and M210 series, and from what we’ve come to know in the business, the quality of the present age of Enphase items is generally excellent.

SolarEdge:

SolarEdge additionally furnishes a 25-year guarantee with their power optimizers.

While a power optimizer is likewise set up onto a solar panel, and needs to withstand the open air components for two or three decades, it performs less work than a microinverter. 

Hypothetically, the less complex gadgets should mean fewer disappointments.

The central inverter plays out the genuine work of going DC to AC power in a SolarEdge framework. 

Their HD-Wave central inverter accompanies a 12-year guarantee that you can redesign at a cost. 

That is discernibly shorter than the Enphase guarantee, yet in addition in accordance with the guarantees offered with string inverters by different organizations.

At the end of the day, 12 years is about the normal life expectancy of a central inverter. 

This implies you ought to hope to supplant your inverter at any rate once during the normal 25-year life expectancy of your solar panels.

Make certain to incorporate this factor when contrasting the cost of a string inverter or power optimizer based framework to microinverters.

Ability to Expand:

Solar installers will ordinarily estimate your solar system based on your power utilization. 

And whenever required in the future, they can add extra ability to suit any future increase in power utilization. 

Be that as it may, at times a solar system should be extended later on.

Enphase:

With Enphase it is generally easy to add more microinverters or solar panels to extend the system.

These additional microinverters will incorporate directly into the current solar-based monitoring portal.

SolarEdge:

As we know SolarEdge systems have a central inverter and the capacity of this central inverter typically depends upon the size of the system.

While it is possible to introduce high-capacity inverter to meet future requirements, a higher-capacity inverter will have an increase in the cost of the solar system.

In the event that the current SolarEdge inverter is at full capacity, it is as yet conceivable to extend the solar system. 

Either the current inverter can be substituted with a higher-capacity inverter or a subsequent inverter can be added to the system.

The SolarEdge monitoring portal can handle multiple inverters at a time in its solar monitoring portal and will collectively show up as one solar system.

Cost Comparison:

In general, a microinverter-based system will be an expensive option than a power optimizer-based system. 

In the real world, the actual cost you pay depends upon the deal your installer can avail from the manufacturer.

The effect of local market price and discounts means that u can get an offer where Enphase is cheaper than SolarEdge.

The long term cost of your system should also be a significant factor.

Which One to Choose Enphase or Solaredge? 

In the event that you have a home sunlight based system with fractional concealing, solar panels mounted on various rooftop portions, or the craving for panel-level monitoring. 

At that point both Enphase and SolarEdge inverters can be an incredible answer for ensuring that you get the most extreme power out of your solar system.

And if later on you want to expand your system to meet your future requirements then Enphase microinverters are more flexible to expand than SolarEdge power optimizers.

The explanation comes down to reliability and quality.

Enphase:

In the past Enphase products have had quality problems, but Enphase has worked superbly on the client-side by offering their update program to owners with new-age microinverters that endured quality issues. 

At last, Enphase inverters accompany an entire 25-year guarantee.

SolarEdge: 

SolarEdge power optimizers can likewise be a decent decision for confusing housetops with shading issues, yet there are some quality worries with their most recent items. 

Since it’s an open organization, these issues are examined in the open.

In recent times, the Acting SolarEdge CEO Zvi Lando revealed that the organization has been encountering an expanded number of guarantee asserts on their single phase inverter series (the sort utilized for home systems).

Some of you think that the product failure issue is secured by guarantee, but the cost of substitution or replacement isn’t secured by guarantee.

It’s a cost you unquestionably need to stay away from.

Conclusion on SolarEdge Vs. Enphase

Inverters are an essential part of a rooftop solar system.

Inverters transform the direct current (DC) produced by the solar panel into alternating current (AC) so that it can be easily used by homes and businesses.

Likewise, the inverter makers additionally provide the portal for monitoring your solar system’s production.

Both these giants (Enphase and SolarEdge) are top choices. 

In spite of the fact that you truly can’t turn out badly with either decision, the best inverter for your solar system relies upon different factors as discussed above.

Solaredge vs Enphase, we hope this article was able to clear your confusion regarding these two brands, and help you understand their similarities and differences between them through this comparison.

Feel free to share your views in the comments below.