Enphase Energy has announced support for complete off-grid system configurations which can operate without an electricity connection if necessary. The system requires the IQ Battery 5P with built-in grid shaping microinverters, IQ8 series microinverters with Sunlight JumpStart capability, and a third-party standby AC generator, all working together to power the home.
Enphase’s comprehensive off-grid solution is designed to meet the unique energy needs of homeowners. For off-grid use cases, the Enphase Energy System components work together to power loads and charge batteries efficiently, with intelligent software that optimizes generator use when needed and prevents generator damage from feeding back power. The enhanced software also includes a new ‘Off-Grid’ system profile that can be selected during commissioning, allowing smooth off-grid operation while working alongside a generator.
As more homeowners seek energy independence due to increasing power outages and grid instability, Enphase’s off-grid solution is designed to supplement the grid by meeting today’s growing demand for reliable and resilient energy. Off-grid capabilities are integrated into several components of the Enphase Energy System, including:
- IQ8 series microinverters. With rasterization capabilities, the IQ8 Series microinverters offer Sunlight JumpStart capabilities. If the microgrid collapses because the batteries are completely discharged and the generator runs out of fuel, Sunlight JumpStart is designed to automatically recharge the batteries and restore power the next morning.
- IQ battery 5P. Enphase’s third-generation battery provides 3.84 kVA of power per 5 kWh of energy capacity. With Enphase Power Control you can scale your system to a capacity of 40 kWh and a power of 15.4 kVA. This power allows homeowners to start large household loads, including HVAC systems and water pumps.
- IQ System Controller 3G. The system controller integrates an autotransformer to provide 120/240 V split AC power and a Generator Interconnect Device (GID) to parallel an AC standby generator with batteries and solar power. Users can connect up to 15.4 kW of solar power and 40 kWh of IQ batteries, and draw up to 15.4 kVA from an AC standby generator, providing up to 46 kVA of power while off the grid. Additionally, load control support allows users to automatically control loads based on whether the sun is shining, the generator is plugged in, and there is enough energy available in the batteries.
Any off-grid system can now connect to the cloud through the Enphase IQ Combiner 5C HDK, which consolidates solar interconnection, communication and metering within a single enclosure. For locations without reliable broadband access, the integrated 4G LTE Cat 4 modem delivers dual-SIM connectivity with automatic failover, keeping the system online for real-time monitoring, firmware updates and remote diagnostics. Enphase also offers the modem as a standalone accessory for customers using older IQ Combiner 5 units currently available in the channel.
“With the launch of our off-grid solution, we are offering homeowners a reliable path to complete energy independence,” said Nitish Mathur, SVP of customer experience at Enphase Energy. “Today, there are already more than 100 fully off-grid locations using Enphase products and performing reliably under real-world conditions. By combining grid-forming batteries, Sunlight JumpStart technology and integrated generator support, the Enphase Energy System can deliver reliable power 24×7, all managed through a single app.”
Enphase’s off-grid system solution is available today to customers in the United States.
News item from Enphase Energy
