Enphase’s 7th-generation microinverter uses single hardware SKU worldwide

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Enphase IQ 7 microinverters are to be phased into markets around the world through the first half of 2018. Image: Enphase

Enphase Energy has launched its seventh-generation ‘Enphase IQ’ microinverters for the Enphase Home Energy Solution with ‘IQ’. The ‘Enphase IQ 7 Micro’ and ‘Enphase IQ 7+ Micro’ are designed for worldwide markets and have started shipping to distributors in the United States. Enphase IQ 7 microinverters will continue to be phased into markets around the world through the first half of 2018.

Problem

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

A key challenge with microinverters is meeting a multitude of grid requirements that differ around the world, resulting in multiple product platforms and specifications or limited market penetration. This in turn impacts production costs thus limiting adoption since BOS (Balance of System) costs account for a growing percentage of total system costs as solar panel prices continue to decline. 

Solution

The Seventh-generation IQ microinverters are powered by Enphase's unique software-defined architecture, which results in an efficient design, and a single hardware SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) worldwide. The IQ 7 family of microinverters are claimed to produce 4% more power, and are 19% lighter and 17% smaller than the IQ 6 family of microinverters. The new IQ Microinverters offer the same ease of installation with only two-wire cabling, and leverage semiconductor integration for higher reliability and better economies of scale. 

Applications

Residential, commercial, utility-scale PV power plants.

Platform

The 250W AC Enphase IQ 7 Micro and the 295W AC Enphase IQ 7+ Micro will be followed by a new, high-power 320W AC variant, the Enphase IQ 7X Micro, to address 96-cell modules. Enphase IQ 7X Micros are expected to be introduced in the second quarter of 2018. Greater reliability is achieved via BOM reduction enabled by a new 55nm ASIC chip. Fast and easy installation with the existing suite of IQ products: the lighter two-wire ‘Enphase Q Cable’, the ‘Enphase IQ Combiner+’ with pre-installed ‘Enphase IQ Envoy’, and the ‘Enphase Q Aggregator’ which enables plug and play connection for up to three branches on the roof.

Availability

Enphase IQ 7 microinverters are to be phased into markets around the world through the first half of 2018.

Read Next

July 3, 2025
Malaysian engineering and infrastructure giant Gamuda has expanded its presence in the Australian renewables sector by partnering with Tasmanian landowners to build a 1.2GW portfolio, which includes solar PV.
July 2, 2025
Indigenous-led renewable energy company Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) has submitted plans for a hybrid wind and solar PV renewable energy project to the Australian government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
July 2, 2025
Robotics company Luminous has received AU$4.9 million (US$3.2 million) via Australia’s Solar ScaleUp Challenge to support deploying its ‘LUMI’ technology at utility-scale solar PV power plants.
July 1, 2025
French private equity firm Ardian Clean Energy Evergreen Fund (ACEEF) has bought 117 solar PV plants, worth 116MW of total capacity in several locations in Italy.
July 1, 2025
A five-year research initiative is underway in Australia to test the viability of floating solar systems on irrigation dams.
June 30, 2025
Australian module manufacturer Tindo Solar has secured a 30MW solar module supply agreement to power Australia's first "net zero pipeline”.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK