Enphase
InvertersEnphase is an American microinverter manufacturer founded in 2006. The company produces microinverters that connect to individual solar panels, with 25-year warranties.
About Enphase Microinverters in Australia
Enphase Energy is an American company founded in 2006 that pioneered the use of microinverters for residential solar installations. Unlike traditional string inverters (one inverter for all panels), Enphase microinverters attach to each individual solar panel, converting DC to AC at the panel level.
In Australia, Enphase has grown rapidly and is now considered a premium inverter choice alongside Fronius and SMA. The IQ8 series is the current generation, offering 25-year warranties, which is significantly longer than the 10-year standard from string inverter brands. Enphase microinverters are particularly well-suited for roofs with multiple orientations, partial shading, or complex layouts.
Enphase has an Australian office in Sydney and maintains a network of certified installers. The Enlighten monitoring platform provides panel-level production data, which is a unique advantage over string inverter systems that only show total system output.
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Enphase Key Features
Panel-Level Optimisation
Each panel operates independently with its own microinverter. Shade on one panel does not reduce output from the rest, unlike string inverter systems.
25-Year Warranty
Enphase IQ8 microinverters come with a 25-year warranty, the longest in the residential inverter market. No warranty extension needed.
Panel-Level Monitoring
Enlighten app shows production from each individual panel, making it easy to spot underperforming panels, shading issues, or faults.
No Single Point of Failure
If one microinverter fails, only that panel is affected. The rest of the system continues producing normally. With string inverters, the whole system goes down.
Rapid Shutdown Compliant
Microinverters inherently meet rapid shutdown requirements, as each panel can be individually de-energised for safe rooftop access.
Easy System Expansion
Adding more panels is straightforward since each panel gets its own microinverter. No need to worry about string sizing or inverter capacity limits.
Enphase Products Available in Australia
Enphase Microinverters vs String Inverters
| Feature | Enphase (Microinverter) | Fronius (String) | Sungrow (String) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 25 years | 10 years (ext. to 15) | 10 years (ext. to 15) |
| Shading Performance | Excellent (panel-level) | Good (with optimisers) | Good (with optimisers) |
| Monitoring | Per-panel | System-level | System-level |
| System Cost (6.6kW) | Higher (+15–30%) | Mid-premium | Mid-range |
| Single Point of Failure | No | Yes | Yes |
| Expandability | Easy (add panels) | Limited by inverter size | Limited by inverter size |
Microinverters and string inverters each have advantages. Enphase microinverters excel in complex installations with shading or multiple roof orientations. String inverters from Fronius and Sungrow are more cost-effective for simple installations. Both approaches are reliable and CEC-approved for Australian installations.
Customer Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About Enphase
- helpAre Enphase microinverters worth the extra cost?
- Enphase microinverters typically cost 15–30% more than a string inverter system of the same size. They are worth it if you have a roof with multiple orientations (e.g. panels on north and west), partial shading from trees or neighbouring buildings, or if you value the 25-year warranty and panel-level monitoring. For a simple north-facing roof with no shading, a premium string inverter like Fronius offers similar reliability at a lower cost.
- helpHow long do Enphase microinverters last?
- Enphase microinverters are warrantied for 25 years. Because they have no moving parts and operate at lower power levels than string inverters, they tend to be very durable. The IQ7 and IQ8 series have shown strong reliability in the Australian market. Individual unit failures do occur but are typically covered under warranty and only affect one panel.
- helpIs Enphase better than Fronius?
- Enphase and Fronius are both premium brands but use different technology. Enphase microinverters offer panel-level optimisation, 25-year warranty, and no single point of failure, but cost more overall. Fronius string inverters are simpler, cost less for standard installations, and achieve slightly higher peak efficiency. Enphase is the better choice for complex roofs or shading situations. Fronius is typically better value for straightforward north-facing installations.
- helpCan Enphase work with batteries?
- Yes, Enphase offers the IQ Battery series (5P and 10T models) designed to work seamlessly with Enphase microinverter systems. The batteries come with a 15-year warranty and integrate through the Enphase IQ Combiner or IQ System Controller. The entire system (microinverters, battery, monitoring) is managed through a single Enlighten app.
- helpHow many Enphase microinverters do I need?
- You need one microinverter per solar panel. For a typical 6.6kW system with 15 x 440W panels, you would need 15 Enphase IQ8+ or IQ8M microinverters. Your installer will match the microinverter model to your panel wattage for optimal performance. The IQ8+ handles panels up to 475W, the IQ8M up to 480W, and the IQ8A up to 530W.
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