Enphase boosts micro-inverter warranty to “close gap” with solar panels

Californian energy technology company Enphase Energy is aiming to set a new benchmark for solar quality standards in Australia, extending the limited warranty for its IQ8 Microinverter product range to 25 years.

Billed as “the industry’s first grid-forming microinverters with split-phase power conversion capability to convert DC power to AC power efficiently”, Enphase’s range of IQ8 Microinverters will now automatically apply for the new 25-year limited warranty from 1 October.

A 25-year warranty will put the IQ8 Microinverter on the same level as most solar panels, which already come with a 25-year performance warranty, breaking the tradition in the Australian market of inverters that are backed only by a 10-year warranty.

“Australian households are world champions in adopting rooftop solar, but sustainable energy is about quantity and quality,” said Patrick Matweew, general manager of Enphase Energy Australia.

“Our improved warranty terms are designed to ensure that Australian solar systems not only provide much-needed electricity bill relief but also deliver long-term peace of mind,” he said.

“We identified the performance between solar panel and inverter warranties as a quality assurance issue that can compromise ROI for homeowners.

“Enphase is closing that gap to give households that chose Enphase unprecedented solar investment security.”

Enphase currently offers three IQ8 Microinverters in Australia, compared to the 13 on offer in its home market. Pricing for the three local options hovers around the $200 mark but all are designed to be the safest choice on the market.

Unlike systems with a central inverter, the Enphase IQ8 Microinverter never contains high-voltage DC power, which eliminates the risk of DC arc fault fires.

All IQ Microinverters certified IP67 and are made with a double-insulated, corrosion-resistant polymer housing which means that they are rated to withstand numerous weather conditions.