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