Enphase IQ5P Battery Storage System
Enphase Hybrid system diagram
Think of your home as a mini power plant that harnesses energy from sunlight. Unlike traditional systems that use a single-string inverter, Enphase employs individual microinverters for each solar panel. The Enphase IQ5P battery features integrated smart bi-directional microinverters, which connect to a system controller and work in tandem with the solar panels. This setup ensures a seamless and reliable power supply, providing uninterrupted energy during grid outages or at night.
Components Of Enphase Hybrid Systems
- Solar PV panels + microinverters (IQ7 or IQ8P): Each solar panel will be equipped with an Enphase IQ series microinverter to convert the DC output from each solar panel to AC
This ensures maximum power from each panel, improved capability to handle shades and a safer system as there is no high voltage DC.
- System controller: The Enphase System Controller is a key component of Enphase's energy management technology. It acts as the "brain" of a solar and battery storage system, managing energy flow between solar panels, batteries, the grid, and household loads. Here are the main purposes of the System Controller:
It is pre-equipped with interconnection equipment, IQ Gateway Metered (10 years warranty), and IQ Relay (5 years warranty) into a single enclosure. The microgrid interconnection device streamlines grid-independent capabilities of PV and storage installations by providing a consistent, pre-wired solution, including CTs.
It is also equipped with cellular modem: sim activation while commissioning with 5 years of data pack. This functions as a secondary communication mode to home wi-fi/ethernet.
Enphase System Controller Functions:
a. Automatic Energy Management
The Enphase System Controller ensures seamless coordination between power sources- solar panels, batteries, and the grid. It automatically decides when to use solar power, charge or discharge the battery, and draw power from or export to the grid. This helps optimize energy use, reduce reliance on grid electricity, and minimize energy costs.
b. Grid Interaction and Backup Power
Grid-Tied Operation: The controller helps connect the Enphase system to the utility grid, ensuring compliance with grid codes and allowing for energy export when surplus solar energy is generated.
Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, the System Controller provides seamless switching to battery power, enabling the system to act as a backup power source for critical loads. This automatic switchover ensures uninterrupted power during outages.
c. Load Control and Prioritization
Critical Load Management: The System Controller can manage different circuits in the home, prioritizing essential loads during an outage to maximize the available stored energy.
Load Shedding: It can disconnect non-critical loads to preserve energy when necessary, enhancing the overall system efficiency.
d. Monitoring and Control
It integrates with Enphase's Enlighten app, allowing users to monitor energy generation, storage, and usage in real time. This helps users make informed decisions on energy consumption and system performance.
- Enphase IQ5P battery: The Enphase IQ Battery 5P is a 5-kWh energy storage solution designed to readily integrate with Enphase IQ 7 or 8 series microinverter based solar systems. It is connected in parallel to the Solar PV input and has built-in microinverter, which allows it to directly supply AC power, making installation simple and allowing for integration into both new and existing solar setups.
compared to other battery types, providing increased thermal stability and longer lifespan.
With a power output of up to 3.84 kW continuous and 7.68 kW peak for in-rush current (3 seconds) of heavy loads, the IQ 5P can provide reliable backup during outages and effectively managing energy use throughout the day. It also integrates with the Enphase Enlighten app, enabling real-time monitoring and control for optimal energy usage.
For example, If a house has 3 kW Solar PV system with one Enphase IQ5P battery storage. During the grid failure in daytime, solar PV and battery can together support 3 kW*+ 3.84 kW (battery)= 6.84kW.
*Assuming peak generation.
Advantages of Enphase hybrid solar system:
- Per- panel monitoring: panel level fault detection, better capability to minimize power loss due to shading.
- Flexibility to increase the system size: Adding solar panels or Enphase battery, or both, is possible as per the growing needs of the house.
- ToD tariff operation: Peak, off-peak and normal mode settings based on applicable tariffs, to optimize the bills.
- Multiple storage profile settings: Home owner can prioritize grid or storage based on the needs via Enphase Enlighten app.
- No single point of failure: Both Solar PV and battery storage have multiple microinverters thus ensuring no single point of failure.
6. Integrated industry-best warranty:
a. 15 years warranty for IQ microinverters and battery system. b. Integrated warranty for the complete system (Battery, BMS and inverters) from a single company allowing easier troubleshooting and replacements.
- Higher safety: No high voltage DC on Solar PV along with safe LiFePo4 battery chemistry provides better resilience against faults.
- Lifetime software update support.