Enphase vs SolarEdge: microinverters vs optimizers, which to pick

If you have partial shading, both solutions manage panel-by-panel so a shaded panel doesn't drag the rest. But Enphase and SolarEdge do it opposite ways, with practical consequences.

Enphase: microinverter per panel

Each panel has its own microinverter converting DC to AC on the roof. AC cables run to the panel. No single point of failure. One dies, others run. 25-year warranty.

SolarEdge: optimizer + central inverter

Each panel has a DC optimizer regulating its voltage to optimum. A central inverter converts DC to AC. If the central inverter dies, the whole system goes down. Optimizers: 25-year warranty. Inverter: 12 years (extendable).

Efficiency and yield

Unshaded roof, both produce equally (98% SolarEdge central vs 96.5% Enphase microinverters). Shaded roof, Enphase usually wins 2-5% with better panel-to-panel isolation.

Price

Enphase: $250-320 per panel (with IQ8 micro). SolarEdge: $180-230 per panel (optimizer + share of inverter). SolarEdge 20-30% cheaper. For 10 panels: $600-1000 difference.

Monitoring

Both excellent, panel-level real-time. Enphase Enlighten and SolarEdge Monitoring are the two best apps in the industry. Detect dead panels, drops, errors in seconds.

Outage backup

Enphase IQ8: partial backup without battery (small loads only, 'Sunlight Backup'). With Enphase battery: full backup. SolarEdge with StorEdge + battery: full backup. Without battery, neither has useful backup.

Verdict

Roof with partial shading: Enphase. Clean perfect south roof + tight budget: SolarEdge. Client valuing redundancy and 25+ year life: Enphase. Simple economical install: SolarEdge.

Compare with microinverters vs string inverter.