Why Enphase
Enphase microinverters: every panel its own power plant.
One small inverter behind every panel. Here is why that works better on Aruban roofs than one big string inverter.
Most solar installers on Aruba connect all panels to one big string inverter on the wall. We have done it differently since 2011: a small Enphase microinverter behind every panel. Today we monitor 95 Enphase systems on the island, together 701 kWp, and they have produced more than 4,480 MWh.
Microinverters vs. a string inverter
| Enphase microinverters | One string inverter | |
|---|---|---|
| Shade or dirt on one panel | Only that panel produces less | The whole string drops to the weakest panel |
| Voltage on the roof | AC at the panel, no high-voltage DC | Several hundred volts DC on the roof |
| If something fails | The other panels keep producing | The whole system stops |
| Adding panels later | Add 4 or 8 panels any time | Often needs a new or second inverter |
| Monitoring | Production per panel in the Enphase app | Usually only the total |
| Warranty | 25-year limited warranty (IQ8) | Often 5 to 12 years, replacement after ±10 years |
Why this matters on Aruba
Aruba has strong sun all year, but the trade winds carry salt and dust onto every roof. Palm trees, water tanks and neighbouring houses cast shadows for part of the day. With a string inverter, one dirty or shaded panel pulls the whole row down. With Enphase, each panel works on its own, so you lose only what that one panel loses.
See every panel in the app
The Enphase IQ Gateway sends the production of every panel to the Enphase app. You see what your roof produces today, and we see it too. When one panel produces less than its neighbours, we notice it and come to check, often before you do.
Built to last: one of our home systems in Savaneta has been running since 2012 and has produced 118,597 kWh. A commercial system in Oranjestad from 2014 has produced 232,565 kWh.
What we install
- Enphase IQ8-P microinverters, one per panel, made for today's large 610 Wp panels
- Enphase IQ Gateway for monitoring, single-phase or three-phase
- Blue Sun 610 Wp panels with 144 cells
- Racking for roof tiles, shingles, metal/zinc and flat concrete
Already have an Enphase system from another installer? We also maintain, repair and extend existing Enphase systems.