By Kari Williamson

In a performance study involving over 143 Enphase solar PV systems installed by Real Goods Solar, Solar Universe and Astrum Slar in California and the Eastern USA, performance data was compared with NREL's PVWatts calculator based on geographic location, system design factors and product specifications for each installation.

Enphase says the results show that solar PV systems with its microinverters outperform PVWatts predictions by 8% with the majority of sites outperforming the NREL calculator by 10% or more.

“Enphase Microinverters increases energy production versus standard inverter technology, and this study further confrims it,” says Raghu Belur, VP of Products and Co-Founder of Enphase Energy.

“This level of superior system performance is one of the key benefits of the Enphase Microinverter System enjoyed by system owners.”

Enlighten performance estimation tool

Enphase has also introduced a performance estimation tool in its web-based monitoring and analysis software, Enlighten.

“Integrating estimation tools into Englighten provides a whole new dimension of information for our installers,” Belur adds.

“By adding integration with estimation calculators such as the PVWatts system, we've enabled our installers to hone their estimates and provide the most accurate and informed recommendations to their customers.”