Enphase announces sixth-generation product line

[RegGuheert]

Here's an IQ6 Microinverter for $0.41/W shipped. I guess I'm wondering who is purchasing NEW PV modules small enough these days to warrant the IQ6 instead of the IQ6+. I would think most new modules sold these days would be over 300Wp.

[RegGuheert]

Here are Enphase IQ6 microinverters for $70/each shipped, or $0.29/W. These are being sold by the same vendor from which I had previously purchased M250-72s for $85/each shipped, or $0.34/W. This indicates to me that the selling price for the IQ-Series inverters may have now dropped below that of the M-Series inverters. (FWIW, the IQ6 has nearly the same power capability as the M250-72s (240W versus 250W), but it is only suitable for 60-cell PV modules.)

OTOH, I haven't seen any good pricing on the IQ cabling system. That's a bit confusing to me since it appears that the IQ cabling should be significantly cheaper than Engage.

[RegGuheert]

Enphase has followed their roadmap closely and appears to be shipping their 7th-generation inverters:



I see no big specification differences between the IQ7 and IQ7+ versus their IQ6 and IQ6+ counterparts. The IQ7 now offers 250VA maximum power versus the 240VA of the IQ6. The IQ7+ offers 295VA versus the 290VA of the IQ6+. Weight is dropped from 1.29 kg for the IQ6-series to 1.08 kg for the IQ7 series.

I assume the real benefits of the IQ7-series inverters are for Enphase, as seen in the table above. They have reduced the component count by 25% from 339 to 250. By reducing the weight they have reduced material and shipping costs. And I will assume that the move to three ASICs instead of just one both reduces total component count and allows them to minimize the total cost of these ICs. All of these things should reduce module costs. Reliability should also be improved.

I expect the IQ6-series inverters to disappear fairly quickly as Enphase needs to minimize their manufacturing costs.

Finally, Enphase has a preliminary datasheet for the new IQ7X, which is designed for 96-cell PV modules. It is the same size and weight as the other IQ7-series inverters but it puts out up to 320VA and has a maximum DC voltage rating of 80V (instead of 60V). Because of the higher voltage, this inverter offers a slightly-higher efficiency of 97.5% versus 97.0%, at least at 240VAC output. Based on that product offering, I suppose some PV manufacturers must be bringing 96-cell modules to market. Given that, I think Enphase will need to increase the power rating of this inverter in the very near future.

[RegGuheert]

Finally, Enphase has a preliminary datasheet for the new IQ7X, which is designed for 96-cell PV modules. It is the same size and weight as the other IQ7-series inverters but it puts out up to 320VA and has a maximum DC voltage rating of 80V (instead of 60V). Because of the higher voltage, this inverter offers a slightly-higher efficiency of 97.5% versus 97.0%, at least at 240VAC output. Based on that product offering, I suppose some PV manufacturers must be bringing 96-cell modules to market. Given that, I think Enphase will need to increase the power rating of this inverter in the very near future.

It appears that Panasonic and others are offering high-performance 96-cell PV modules using what appear to be cells from 6-inch wafers. The rating on that panel is 325W, so the power level of the IQ7X looks right for now.

[RegGuheert]

Enphase now has a splash screen for the IQ7 microinverters on their main page. I find it a bit odd that they still list the IQ6 products. I see no good reason that they would keep them around, but cost should be a good reason to get rid of them. Certainly any warranty replacements of IQ6 inverters can be done using an IQ7 instead.

[RegGuheert]

I guess I'm wondering who is purchasing NEW PV modules small enough these days to warrant the IQ6 instead of the IQ6+. I would think most new modules sold these days would be over 300Wp.

It seems buyers are now wondering the same thing. I received an email from a vendor who is having a "clearance sale" on the IQ6 and IQ7 for $0.33/W and $0.35/W respectively.

The are also clearing out the IQ6+ for $0.31/W.

I believe the elimination of the IQ7 may get Enphase to the single SKU that they were discussing last year.