If you’re in the market for a photovoltaic (PV) system, you’ve likely heard of Enphase. It’s a popular choice in Southwest Florida, and for good reason. However, you might wonder if the higher price tag is justified.
Higher price? You might not even realize there are cheaper options since Enphase is so ubiquitous. Every competitive quote you have may include Enphase microinverters. That should tell you a lot. It’s not a conspiracy among solar contractors. We’re not colluding to make more money. Spoiler alert: Enphase is just that much better in most cases.
As a local contractor in Southwest Florida specializing in Enphase systems, we’re here to shed some light on why we believe Enphase is worth the investment.
Why the Higher Cost?
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: the cost. Yes, Enphase systems tend to be more expensive than some other options. This is mainly because they use microinverters rather than a single central inverter. Each panel has its own microinverter, which can add to the upfront cost. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and with Enphase, you’re getting a lot.
In addition to the microinverters themselves, there are several key components that increase costs. Unlike Enphase’s AC output, DC systems operate at high voltages and can often have higher voltages (not necessarily a good thing) which can reduce wire size requirements and increase the number of panels on a circuit. Enphase systems sometimes have more wire required from the roof to the common point of connection. Enphase systems also require that we use proprietary cabling and connectors, which is a substantial hidden cost when considering the total cost of the inverter system.
And then you have the industry-leading warranty and best in class customer service and monitoring platforms. These add to the value of an Enphase system.
Key Benefits of Enphase Systems
1. Highly Serviceable: One of the standout features of Enphase systems is their serviceability. Each panel operates independently, so if there’s an issue with one panel, it doesn’t affect the others. This makes troubleshooting and maintenance easier and often less costly. You can address issues quickly without worrying about a single point of failure taking down your entire system. In the event of a microinverter failure, a warranty swap is very simple. I tell people all the time that it takes more time to put up and take down the ladder than to do the actual microinverter swap. And the best part is virtually every contractor in town is an Enphase dealer, meaning you can get service from virtually anyone. That is not the case with other brands, which have limited dealer networks or even exclusive certified dealers.
2. Reliability and Longevity: Enphase microinverters are known for their durability. They come with a 25-year warranty, giving you peace of mind for the long haul. The distributed nature of the system means it’s less susceptible to problems that can plague central inverters, such as overheating or mechanical failures.
3. Ubiquity in Southwest Florida: Enphase has become the go-to choice in our region, making it easier to find knowledgeable installers and service providers. The widespread adoption means you’re not just buying a system; you’re joining a community. It also makes it easier to sell your home in the future, as potential buyers may already be familiar with the brand and its benefits. Transferring the system to a new owner requires a simple online form. And again, Enphase’s ubiquity means that any dealer can help you with a transfer.
4. Advanced Monitoring and Energy Management: Enphase systems come with advanced monitoring capabilities, allowing you to track the performance of each panel in real time. This is not just a cool feature; it can also help you optimize your energy use and identify issues before they become significant problems. The Enphase Envoy and Enlighten app make it simple to see how much energy you’re producing, consuming, and storing.
5. Battery Compatibility and Future-Proofing: As energy storage becomes increasingly important, Enphase offers seamless integration with its IQ battery systems. This compatibility ensures that you can easily add storage to your system down the line, future-proofing your investment. It’s an excellent option for those looking to enhance their energy independence. All Enphase microinverters are compatible with the new 5P Battery and the forthcoming bi-directional EV charger.
6. Battery Compatibility and Future-Proofing: As energy storage becomes increasingly important, Enphase offers seamless integration with its Encharge battery systems. This compatibility ensures that you can easily add storage to your system down the line, future-proofing your investment. It’s an excellent option for those looking to enhance their energy independence.
Alternatives to Enphase and Cost Comparison
While Enphase offers a robust and feature-rich option, it’s not the only player in the market. Other popular alternatives include systems with central string inverters from brands like SolarEdge, SMA, Fronius, Tesla, and others. These systems generally cost less upfront, as they use a single inverter to convert the DC power generated by all the panels into AC power.
Central Inverter Systems: Central inverter systems are often seen as a more cost-effective option. However, they have some drawbacks:
- Single Point of Failure: If the central inverter fails, the entire system goes down, leading to potential downtime and repair costs.
- Less Granular Monitoring: While some central inverter systems offer panel-level monitoring, it’s not as detailed as the monitoring available with Enphase microinverters.
- Shading and Performance Issues: If one panel is shaded or underperforming, it can affect the entire system’s output, as all panels are linked to a single inverter.
- Weak Dealer Network: SolarEdge is the second leading inverter brand locally, but it has fallen out of favor due to high rates of inverter failure and frustrating customer service. Few dealer offer this brand now, and even fewer are willing to service it. SMA and Fronius were once popular locally, but failed to keep up with technological advances in the industry, and local dealers who sell and service these brands are few and far between. Tesla is a highly proprietary brand that has a very limited certified dealer network, and their customer service is known to be infuriating for system owners.
How Much More for Enphase? On average, you might see a price difference of around 10%. For instance, if a 10kW central inverter system costs around $25,000, an Enphase system of the same capacity might cost around $27,500. This price difference can vary depending on the specific components, installation costs, and market conditions.
Is It Worth the Extra Cost? While the initial investment for an Enphase system might be higher, virtually all customers find that the benefits—like increased reliability, ease of maintenance, advanced monitoring, and extensive dealer network—justify the added expense. The longer lifespan and reduced risk of system-wide issues can also translate into lower long-term costs and more peace of mind.
A Friendly Word from Your Local Experts
At the end of the day, investing in a PV system is about more than just dollars and cents. It’s about finding a solution that meets your needs today and tomorrow. Enphase offers unparalleled reliability, ease of service, and advanced features that make it a standout choice, especially here in Southwest Florida. If you want your system to be easily serviceable 10, 15, 20 years from now and beyond, Enphase is the only way to go.
Let me give you an example. There are still a bunch of Fronius IG and SMA Sunny Boy inverters out there from over a decade ago. When they fail, there are no simple drop-in replacements available today, and the warranty has expired. A potential servicing dealer would need to learn the specifications of your system and calculate string sizing, ensuring that a replacement is compatible. Then they would have to deal with grounding issues (since virtual all inverter systems today use transformerless “ungrounded” strings, whereas inverter used to be transformer based “grounded” systems with the DC negative bonded to ground. That all sounds confusing, right?
With Enphase, if you have a 15 year old M190 microinverter that has failed, the part will be under warranty. Any Enphase dealer can see that microinverter in the same monitoring platform as today’s IQ8 series microinverters and request a warranty claim online or via telephone. A replacement unit will be sent to the dealer (usually an upgraded microinverter with a conversion dongle). The swap is just as easy as swapping the same microinverters we install today.
Serviceability is everything. These systems are intended to be functional and serviceable for decades!
If you have any questions or want to learn more about Enphase systems, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to help, and we’re passionate about bringing the best in solar technology to our community.
We hope this article helps you understand why Enphase is a worthy investment. Whether you’re a first-time solar buyer or looking to upgrade your existing system, we’re confident that Enphase offers the quality and reliability you’re looking for.
