SolarEdge VS. Microinverters
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Cost – Rules of Comparison
Comparison between a SolarEdge system and a microinverter
system of 5kW system
> 1 communication gateway
> 2 trunk cable kits
COST
> 20 SolarEdge power optimizers
> 25 years warranty per
power optimizer
> Module monitoring free
of charge
> 1 SolarEdge inverter
> 12 years standard warranty,
extendible to 25 years
> Inverter monitoring free of charge
SolarEdge
> 20 microinverters
> 25 years standard warranty
per microinverter
> Module monitoring at
additional charge
Microinverters
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Compatibility
Microinverters: only with selected module models
SolarEdge power optimizers: any c-Si and many TF modules
Specification
Max Pin
Max Vin
AC Pout
Notes
SolarEdge
400Wp
125
-
No AC
limitation
Enphase
270Wp
45V
215W
Only 60 cell
modules
PowerOne
320Wp
65V
300W
SMA
250Wp
45V
240W
(250W
coming
soon)
Only 60 cell
modules
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Clipping (Enphase)
Typical 5kW system = 20 modules x 250 Watt
Microinverters allow connection of 250W module
But limited to 215W AC output
Power optimizer
Microinverter
20 x 250W = 5kW
20 x 215W = 4.3kW
Losing 14% output
in optimal solar conditions
a
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MPP Window of Operation
Microinverters: narrow operating range, lower shading tolerance
SolarEdge: wide operating range, higher shading tolerance
VMPPT <9V
Min 23V
PowerOne
(MICRO-0.25-I)
Min 25V
– Lower MPP DC input voltage
= more power recouped from
partially shaded modules
Max 55V
SolarEdge
(OP250-MV)
Min 22V
Max 32V
SMA
(SunnyBoy 240)
VMPPT <18V
Max 36V
Enphase
(M215)
VMPPT = 27V
MPP VOLTAGE TRACKING RANGE
Max 60V
Min 5V
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Limited MPP Window effect
One substring is 85% Shaded (dirt, snow,…)
Micro inverter module harvest is limited to the lower peak due
to its narrow MPPT window
Source: Making permanent savings through Active Energy
Efficiency - Schneider Electric
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Heat at Module
Microinverters - Lower efficiency results in higher heat at
module
SolarEdge power optimizer: Higher efficiency results in lower
temperature at module
1.2%
4%
4.5%
4.5%
efficiency of module-level
device & heat at module
Heat
at module
Efficiency at
module-level
device
98.8%
96.0%
95.5%
SolarEdge
(OP250-LV)
Enphase
(M215)
PowerOne
(MICRO-0.25-I)
95.5%
SMA
(SunnyBoy 240)
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System Efficiency
SolarEdge: system efficiency = factor of power optimizer and
inverter efficiency
Microinverters: system efficiency equal to microinverter
efficiency
96.0%
95.5%
95.5%
system efficiency
96.3%
SolarEdge
(OP250-LV)
& inverter
Enphase
(M215)
PowerOne
(MICRO-0.25-I)
SMA
(SunnyBoy 240)
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Number of Components
̶
There are 250% more components in a Microinverter than
SolarEdge power optimizer
A SolarEdge power optimizer
includes 186 components
SolarEdge power optimizers - PCB
̶
A leading Microinverter includes
466 components
Leading microinverter - PCB
* Picture to scale
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Ceramic vs. Electrolytic Capacitors
SolarEdge power optimizers are DC/DC converters and rely on ceramic
capacitors which have a low, fixed rate of aging. The use of ceramics is
possible due to the high switching frequency and lower voltages
Microinverters require large input capacitance due to the grid low
frequency. In many cases, this is implemented with electrolytic capacitors
which have a significantly shorter lifetime
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Grid Compliance
Advanced grid codes for solar inverters are already mandatory
in Germany and Italy
SolarEdge inverter topology complies with advanced grid codes
and is suitable to comply with similar standards evolving around
the globe
Microinverter topology currently do not comply with advanced
grid codes
Advanced
grid
codes
Microinverters
SolarEdge
No support
of advanced
grid codes
inverter suitable
to comply with
advanced grid
codes
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