Microinverters, string inverters, and string inverters with DC optimizers -- oh my! With all the solar technologies out there and not a lot of straightforward information, deciding on the right solar option can be confusing. We're here to break down some key differences for you (in a way you won't need an engineering degree to understand). Once you've got it down, you might find the choice is simpler than you thought.

In an Enphase system, there's no single point of failure.
Think of solar panels like bulbs in a string of holiday lights. In conventional inverter systems, when one panel fails, the whole system goes out. Or when one panel’s output drops -- thanks to fallen leaves, a passing cloud, or some other unavoidable factor -- the system’s overall performance drops to match that lowest-performing panel. With microinverters, each panel operates independently -- so no matter what happens to any one panel, the rest of your system keeps shining bright.

Solar panels may get all the glory, but it's the inverter that does all the work in a solar energy system. Tucked beneath each solar panel, microinverters convert the direct current (DC) power collected from the solar panels to alternating current (AC), the form of electricity your home can use.
Choosing the right inverter technology for your system is one of the most critical decisions to make when going solar. Enphase Microinverters offer the most advanced inverter technology on the market, which means higher production, greater reliability, and unmatched intelligence.

Enphase IQ 6 and IQ 6+ Microinverters

Enphase IQ7 and IQ7+

Enphase Envoy

The Envoy is the brains behind your energy system. This small device is the networking and control hub of your system, and it's responsible for monitoring your system's performance by collecting real-time data from your microinverters.
The Envoy also employs bi-directional communication, meaning that it delivers system updates from the Web to your microinverters, allowing you or your installer to pinpoint performance issues and resolve them remotely before they get in the way of your system's performance.
If your system has storage, the Envoy also manages charge and discharge of the AC Batteries.

MyEnlighten is cloud-based software that gives you a real-time, in-depth view of your system's production and energy consumption. You can use MyEnlighten to track your system's performance, monitor your system's health, and share data with family and friends. You can download the MyEnlighten app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

If you choose to store the energy that you produce, your system may include the Enphase AC Battery. The AC Battery solves the basic dilemma of solar energy -- while your system produces the most energy midday, most households use the most energy in the morning and evening. With storage, you can save the energy you produce during the day and use it when you need it most.

The Enphase storage solution is modular, which means that smaller systems may have two or three AC Batteries, while larger systems will have more. The modular approach means that you can start small and add AC Batteries if you want to expand your system down the road.

The Enphase AC Battery is an integrated energy storage system that delivers high performance, superior reliability, modular architecture, and safety.
Capacity: 1.2 kWh
Depth of discharge: 100%
Roundtrip cell efficiency: 96%
Peak output power: 270 VA
Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
Cell safety certifications: TUV Rheinland, UL