Newsletter - July 2009

In This Issue


CEO Letter

Since the launch of our Microinverter System less than a year ago, the entire team at Enphase has worked diligently to provide the highest quality product in a timely fashion. Demand for our product has grown tremendously over the last few months, and while this is a very positive endorsement for the Enphase technology, it has led to some long lead times. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused due to these delays.

We are very sensitive to the impact these delays have on our customers. I assure you that we are doing everything possible to increase production while maintaining our stringent quality standards. We have successfully completed our manufacturing shift to Flextronics, one of the largest contract manufacturers in the world, and we now have thousands of units produced each month. While the backlog delays are clearly difficult in the short-term, our increased manufacturing capacity will enable us to reliably scale our production to support all future needs.

I would like to thank you for the support that you have shown us and look forward to continued mutual growth and success.

Sincerely,

- Paul Nahi, President & CEO

Product Announcement

Enphase M190 Micro-inverterIt is with great excitement that we announce the impending introduction of the M210-240 Microinverter. The M210 is specifically tuned for use with the Sanyo N series modules and will provide the highest power density available on roofs today. Our M210 is extremely well paired with the new Sanyo modules. The M210 will be released with a CEC rated 95.5% efficiency, making it the most powerful and efficient Enphase Microinverter ever introduced. We intend to begin limited availability in late August, and general availability in September. As with any new product, quantities may be limited in the initial weeks after release.

Note: The 3-phase 208v version of the new M210 208 will NOT be available immediately, however we anticipate its introduction sometime in late Q4.

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Envoy Redesign

Enphase Envoy Unless you tend to wax nostalgic for how computers looked during the punch card era, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve given our communications gateway a facelift. The Envoy (formerly known as the EMU) now has a sleek new enclosure that any homeowner should be happy to display in their home. We hope you like it (and we apologize if you suddenly find yourself craving a Mint Milano cookie!) We anticipate that the new Envoy design will begin shipping in early August.

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Did You Know?

  • ... that we have an Installations List page on our website? System owners can allow visitors to their Enlighten site and choose to add them to installer and Enphase web lists. Take a look at the Enphase Installation List.
  • ... about the wire gauge on the grounding lug? The grounding lug on an Enphase Microinverter can accommodate #6 AWG to #10 AWG.
  • ... that we have a technical brief to address temperature concerns? Download it off our website.
  • ... you can read about Enphase reliability on our website? We have white papers regarding reliability of Enphase Microinverters and electrolytic capacitors. Download them off our website.
  • ... system owners can now renew their Enlighten subscriptions online? System owners will be notified when their subscription is about to expire and can click on the “Renew now” button, or log in to Enlighten and choose "Account", then “Subscription”.

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Featured Installation

The City of San Francisco has rolled out the first of its innovative solar-powered bus stops. The bus shelter incorporates a bright red plastic wavy roof containing PV, a single Enphase Microinverter, two maps, LED lighting, Wi-Fi, space for two advertisements, and a display that informs users of impending arrivals. By 2013, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (MTA) is planning to have 1,100 of these solar-powered bus stops installed throughout the city.

The energy produced by the PV roof will power the LED lighting, intercom system, and wireless router. Any excess energy will be fed back to the grid.

The bus stop is a custom design resulting from a competition that was won by Lundberg Design. The most eye-catching component is the undulating roof that resembles the hills of San Francisco and a seismic wave. The roof consists of thin-film PV cells embedded in a 40% post-industrial recycled polycarbonate material, designed by 3form Materials Solutions. The photovoltaic laminates were provided by Konarka Power Plastic.

“We were very happy with how well the Enphase Microinverter fit in to and supported our bus shelter design. It integrated easily and provided the best aesthetic option.” Olle Lundberg, Lundberg Design.

The new shelters will be installed and maintained by billboard advertising giant Clear Channel Outdoor. Clear Channel Outdoor will recoup the costs through advertising income in a revenue-sharing arrangement with the MTA.

SF Solar Bus Stop San Francisco solar bus stop

SF Solar Bus Stop Enclosure containing electronics and microinverter

SF Solar Bus Stop Installing the lightbox with the Enphase Microinverter

SF Solar Bus Stop The thin-film PV cells embedded in the roof

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Helpful Hint: AC Pigtail Cable Color Coding

The Enphase AC Pigtail Cable Assembly conductors are color coded as follows:

240VAC Split Phase:

  • Black - L1
  • Red - L2
  • Orange - (not used)
  • Blue - Neutral

208VAC Three Phase:

  • Black - L1
  • Red - L2
  • Orange - L3
  • Blue - Neutral

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