Most of the solar systems we have designed and installed using Enphase micro inverters, since our inception in 2007, have failed at a point where one or more of the micro inverters had to be replaced. The good news is that Enphase offers a warranty, the bad news is that, especially in our area (salty air, extreme heat, high winds), you are guaranteed to have at least one micro inverter failure during the life of your solar system.

There are multiple articles in the media and online about micro inverters’ poor reliability, and needless to say, the solar industry in its entirety has been disappointed by their unreliability and mal-functioning, despite initially looking like a great, cutting-edge product. Today, micro inverters are being avoided by every serious solar installer in the nation due to their high failure rate. It is not unusual to have multiple failures on the same system. While some solar companies continue to use them due to the ease of design and installation, (micro inverters do not require sophisticated engineering capabilities), claiming higher efficiency and lower cost, if you do your homework, you will find that neither is correct. The truth is that the cost will be much higher, for the homeowner and the installer, as you can expect with certainly at least one failure, and therefore, losses in energy production.

If you are considering installing a solar system, do your homework, speak with references that installed a system with micro inverters, and obtain the necessary information to make an informed and comfortable decision regarding this technology.

AC PV modules, and especially SunPower ACPV panels, do not fall into this category based on their advanced technology.

Solar is one of the safest and most reliable investments you can make, provided it is properly designed and installed.