Enphase Energy Inc has launched a new system for energy management that delivers on the vision of enabling large-scale implementation of solar power integrated with the grid.
According to Enphase, the new system intelligently integrates the critical technologies needed to solve solar energy challenges at scale: smart grid intelligence, communications, big data analytics and storage. The energy management system offers the next-generation, smart-grid ready Enphase microinverter, plug-and-play storage, advanced control capabilities and load management.
The new system has three distinct advantages: it provides a better return on investment for system owners, expands the range of profitable business models for installers, and provides broader insight into and control for utilities.
“Enphase is taking a fundamentally different approach to energy management,” said Paul Nahi, Enphase CEO. “The solar industry is dominated by static, isolated systems that do not integrate, communicate, scale or adapt quickly to changes in power generation. Our energy management system is designed to accelerate mass penetration of solar globally and make mainstream access to clean, affordable energy a reality.”
Enphase outlined the benefits of the system for players across the supply chain:
Benefits for solar system owners. Building on the company’s track record of disruptive technology innovation, the Enphase Energy Management System is a leap forward in reliability, productivity, cost savings and total energy management. By making solar energy more affordable today and reliable for the future, Enphase is providing owners with more choice and control to optimize and manage their energy.
Benefits for installers and distributors. Solar installers and distributors are faced with a rapidly changing energy landscape. With the seamless integration of solar generation, storage, cloud-connected communications and load management on a unified, future-proof platform, installers and distributors can more easily manage the design, installation and management of solar arrays. This higher level of efficiency helps installers and distributors operate more profitably.
Benefits for utility companies. The Enphase Energy Management System provides utilities with a higher level of visibility, insight and control over the energy grid. The smart-grid ready system shares information, and in some cases control functions, with the utilities over the cloud. By making it easier for utilities to integrate and sustain solar energy on an optimized energy grid, Enphase systems help maximize their profits and their infrastructure.
The Enphase Energy Management System comprises four main components:
Generation
Generating solar energy that is smart-grid ready, with advanced grid functionality, enables maximum penetration of distributed solar on the grid. Designed to meet current and future requirements, the fully bidirectional, software-defined microinverter supports reactive power control and other advanced grid functionalities. Enphase S-Series Microinverters are the most advanced and easy-to-install smart grid-ready microinverters on the market.
Storage
Enphase AC Battery™ is an advanced energy storage solution with a modular, plug-and-play storage device fully integrated into the
Enphase Energy Management System. Based on a distributed architecture, the AC Battery is a safe, reliable and easy-to-install storage solution, designed for residential and commercial applications. The modular battery provides system owners with the ability to store solar energy for future or nighttime use, optimizing solar power consumption and giving owners greater energy independence.
Control
Enphase’s new Envoy-S expands from energy monitoring into full revenue grade metering of solar production, metering of home consumption, and storage management. Ruggedly constructed and suitable for installation in outdoor enclosures, the Envoy-S offers a full range of networking connectivity options. In addition to Ethernet, integrated Wi-Fi not only allows for easy connection to broadband systems but also functions simultaneously as an access point for integration with Enphase’s mobile application and other home automation solutions. An optional cellular modem completes the package; designed in collaboration with AT&T, the plug-and-play M2M data plan makes networking a snap.
Energy Management
Enphase’s Enlighten software platform enables customers to monitor system performance from any PC tablet or smartphone. Enlighten also monitors and optimizes the use of all energy sources—solar, stored and grid—providing remote visibility and control to every installation. Enlighten alerts system owners to performance issues, proactively supports operations and maintenance activities for installers, and helps utilities optimize and manage the grid, revealing trends and opportunities.
The Enphase Energy Management System components will be available on a rolling basis beginning in the third quarter of 2015.