Enphase IQ7X-96 micro inverter application

Davtherav1

I have a large number of REC 235 PV panels and after looking at the specs for the IQ7X-96, I realized that two of my panels wired in series would meet the spec for one IQ7X-96. Any concerns you would have about an installation of this sort?? Cost savings would be significant if one inverter would service two smaller PV panels. thanks, dave

BB.

Looking at the IQ7 and REC 235 specifications... It appears that you could have issues in cold weather (you are in Colorado).

http://www.solardesigntool.com/components/module-panel-solar/REC-Solar/541/REC230-PE-US/specification-data-sheet.html
https://enphase.com/sites/default/files/downloads/support/IQ7X-DS-EN-US.pdf

So, you need to know the minimum temperature for your location, and see what the Voc-array-cold maximum would be. Two of your panels in sereis could exceed the 79.5 VDC max input voltage (in sub freezing temperatures?).

The IQ7 is designed for 96 Cell panels... Your two panels in series would be 60+60=120 cells.

Also, there is always the question of how you will be monitoring your panels/arrays. Will you get an Enphase monitoring box too (wireless networking) so you can keep track of how everything will work?

Using a string sizing tool from Midnite Solar:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/sizingTool/index.php

PV Array
Rated PV Array Power:	460	Watts
Anticipated Array Power @ 95F:	439	Watts
Rated PV Array Current:	7.8	Amps
Battery Charging Current @ 57.6 V:	8	Amps
VMP (Maximum Power Point Voltage) :	58.8	Volts
VOC (Open Circuit Voltage):	74.2	Volts
VMP @ 0 F°:	70.2	Volts
VOC @ 0 F°:	84.6	Volts

Classic, Classic SL & Classic Lite Charge Controller Selection	150	200	250
Max Operating Voltage	150	200	250
Max Non operating VOC (HyperVOC) @ 48V Nominal Battery Voltage	198	248	298
Maximum Number Of Modules In Series	3	4	5
Max Number Of Modules In Series (Using HyperVOC)	4	5	7
Max Allowable Output Current Per Classic Based On This Current Configuration	86	78	55
Max Allowable Wattage Per Classic Based On This Current Configuration	5022	4550	3212
Present PV Array Wattage Of This Configuration	460	460	460
Design Check
Max VOC	OK	OK	OK
Temperature The Classic Will Enter HyperVOC	-481 F°	-848.2 F°	-1215.4 F°
Array Power (Wattage)	OK	OK	OK
Classics Required	0.1	0.2	0.2

Voc-cold would be ~84.6 VDC at 0F (guessing your cold weather minimum temperature) and exceed the IQ7 79.5 volt max.

-Bill