The main reason to want to have the Enlighten system is warranty. Try
to get a replacement inverter if Enphase can't monitor the system
over the Internet.
At 10:01 PM 9/29/2014, you wrote:
All,
Great points and a little education of others' feelings
about, essentially how granular we need to be in monitoring.
I'm curious who is monitoring the Enphase systems in the
solar world, seriously. I know 95% of my customers are more
concerned about catching the bus or what's for dinner than if PV #8
has bird crap on it. Do the folks at Enphase, through Enlighten
have some software that spots issues? I know I, as an installer
don't have time for it. My experience is the customer notices
their power bill was higher last month, they take a look at the
inverter and no green light...CALL BILL.
Thanks folks for the resources for meters, din rail too.
Bill
[]
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:glenn.b...@glbcc.com>Glenn Burt
To: <mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>'RE-wrenches'
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Metering
I would not classify what we are doing in PV as SCADA.
It is purely data acquisition at this point, and more commonly
referred to as DAS or a Data Acquisition System.
SCADA by its definition entails a two way path of both receiving
data and being able to send control signals, usually from a big
picture program, monitoring dozens of data points.
Let's not try to make the simple into a more complex thing than it is.
-Glenn
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]
On Behalf Of Ray Walters
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 2:31 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Metering
The 2nd problem with the Envoy besides cost is that it isn't always
reliable. Communication through power lines is not a new or fresh
idea, and has Always been problematic. Once you install something
you are expected to make it work, and that can be a nightmare on say
an 8 module system that keeps losing communication to one or two
modules. I've had this exact case, and confirmed multiple times
that each micro was working, but the Envoy had other ideas.
This rush to mega data acquisition makes sense for larger PPA
systems, but can just add tons of call backs and the resulting
financial losses and frustrations for small systems.
I've spent as much time messing with SCADA, as I have with the
entire install itself; now that's ridiculous. This isn't new
either: I had SCADA systems back in the 90s, that had great
promise, but ultimately were extremely hard to implement, and the
customer never used after anyway......
The question is:
What does the customer really need to operate the system vs. "bells
and whistles".....
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 9/29/2014 12:12 PM, August Goers wrote:
Hi Bill,
One of the largest benefits of the microinverter system, in my
opinion, is the ability to monitor each module individually. It
might seem like ~$500 is a lot for the Envoy but I think it is well
worth it when you think about the 25 year warranty period and
included ongoing monitoring. We've had enough Enphase failures that
I would personally really want to be able to keep my eye on each
micro individually.
Just a thought, August
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]
On Behalf Of frenergy
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2014 2:26 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Metering
CA wrenches,
I'm trying to (for the sake of my monetarily impaired
customers) figure out a less expensive way to meter/monitor small
enphase systems. One of my local utilities will allow me to just
use a remanufactured utility-grade meter (ala AEE) These meters are
inexpensive, robust and accurate but only display total production.
The Envoy retails for over $5 bills. Most of my customers
are not interested in checking their PV system on the internet,
well not after a couple weeks. I can't seem to find any
requirement from PG&E other than in Section 5.1 of the guidebook: "
All systems receiving an EPBB incentive must install a production
meter accurate to +- 5% of actual system output...." which is
pretty vague. plus the is no CSI incentive anymore.
Anybody have a suggestion that is different from the remanu
utility meter?....and possibly gives current wattage output, and is
"approved" by PG&E interconnection?
TIA
Bill
[]
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
List Address:
<mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Change listserver email address & settings:
<http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive:
<http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html>http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
List rules & etiquette:
<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm>www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out or update participant bios:
<http://www.members.re-wrenches.org>www.members.re-wrenches.org
----------
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive:
http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive:
http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive:
http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
