One question that homeowners commonly ask during the solar installation process is whether they can power their homes with just solar panels in the event of an outage – typically the answer is no, you’ll also need storage for a safe and reliable setup that can keep the lights on. However, Enphase made headlines in October 2021 with the announcement of a new configuration of the Enphase Energy System which is, in fact, capable of providing off-grid functionality to homeowners without storage installed (with a few caveats).
In a two-part series, we’re explaining everything you need to know about the Enphase Energy System. In part one, we discussed the components that make up the Enphase Energy System. In this article (part two of our series) we’ll explain how the components can be configured into different setups: you can choose from four different configurations, depending on the level of backup you want or need.
Key takeaways
- The Enphase Energy System includes four different setups: Solar Only, Sunlight Backup, Home Essentials Backup, and Full Energy Independence
- If you want to backup your whole home through the Full Energy Independence setup you’ll need at least two 10.08 kWh IQ Batteries – you can install a maximum of 40.32 kWh of storage
- You can now easily integrate a generator into the Enphase Energy System in every configuration except Solar Only
- To start your solar journey today, visit the EnergySage Marketplace
What’s in this article?
- Solar Only
- Sunlight Backup
- Home Essentials Backup
- Full Energy Independence
- Integrating a generator into the Enphase Energy System
Solar Only
The Solar Only setup is exactly how it sounds: a traditional grid-tied solar system without backup energy. This means that in the event of an outage, you won’t be able to run any devices but you’ll still save considerable money on your utility bills and generate clean electricity. You’ll also be able to monitor how much energy your system is generating and how much you’re consuming with the Enphase App, as is the case with any solar-only setup.
With this setup, you’ll need to install:
- Solar panels
- Enphase Microinverters
- Enphase IQ Combiner 4/4C
- Enphase App
Sunlight Backup
The Sunlight Backup setup is the most unique of the four configurations, offering backup power to up to four basic loads when outages occur and the sun is shining. In this setup, Enphase suggests powering loads such as your refrigerator, your lights or fan, your Internet, and a miscellaneous 120 Volt power outlet to power things like your phone charger. However, you’ll want to avoid powering heavy loads such as air conditioners, electric vehicle chargers, space heaters, or hair dryers.
It’s important to note that Sunlight Backup is considerably less reliable than a solar-plus-storage setup. A Sunlight Backup system is dependent on irradiance – the amount of sunlight hitting your solar panels – so during the winter when there’s less sunlight or on a cloudy day, your backup power supply will be very limited. And at night, you won’t be able to power any devices. You’ll also notice more fluctuations in your power supply even while it’s sunny out with Sunlight Backup than with a battery: for example, if a cloud passes overhead, your lights may dim or even turn off if your overall demand for electricity exceeds the power supply in that moment.
With the Sunlight Backup configuration, you’ll need:
- Solar panels
- Enphase IQ8 Microinverters
- Enphase IQ Combiner 4/4C
- IQ System Controller 2
- IQ Load Controllers (x2)
- Essential loads panel
- Enphase App
Home Essentials Backup
This setup is similar to traditional solar-plus-storage systems, allowing you to power your necessary loads both during full sun and when sunlight is limited – such as during inclement weather or at night. Depending on where you live, you may also be eligible to participate in bring your own battery programs in which your utility provides you with monetary rebates and incentives in exchange for some access to your battery. With the Home Essentials Backup configuration, you’ll still need to be vigilant about which loads you power in the event of an outage, as you won’t have enough backup power to support your whole home.
This setup requires:
- Solar panels
- Enphase IQ8 Microinverters
- Enphase IQ Combiner 4/4C
- IQ System Controller 2
- IQ Load Controller
- IQ Battery (at least a 3/3T)
- Enphase App
Full Energy Independence
With the Full Energy Independence setup, you’ll have all of the same benefits as the Home Essentials Backup, but with much more grid independence. You’ll be able to power your whole home during extended outages and may even be able to go off-grid if you live in an area with ample sunlight to recharge your batteries. If you want whole-home backup, Enphase recommends a minimum of two IQ Battery 10/10Ts for a total of 20.16 kWh. Your configuration can’t exceed four IQ Batteries 10/10Ts or 40.32 kWh – so if you consume a lot of electricity, it’s possible you won’t be able to achieve full home backup.
For Full Energy Independence, you’ll need:
- Solar panels
- Enphase IQ8 Microinverters
- Enphase IQ Combiner 4/4C
- IQ System Controller 2
- IQ Load Controller
- IQ Battery (at least two 10/10Ts and up to four)
- Enphase App
What can you power with different battery sizes?
Enphase provides suggested appliances to power with their different battery configurations to help you determine how much backup power you actually need:
- 3.36 kWh: with one IQ Battery 3, the minimum battery size for Home Essentials Backup, you’ll be able to power your LED lights, your refrigerator, your fan, and charge your phone.
- 10.08 kWh: with one IQ Battery 10, which provides more flexibility for the Home Essentials Backup, you can run LED lights, your refrigerator, your fan, your microwave, your TV, your Internet, your garage door, and charge your phone.
- 20.16 kWh: with two IQ Battery 10s, the minimum amount of storage needed for Full Energy Independence, you can power LED lights, your refrigerator, your fan, your microwave, your TV, your Internet, your garage door, your dishwater, and potentially your air conditioner and well pump.
- 40.32 kWh: finally, with four IQ Battery 10s, the maximum amount of storage you can install in an Enphase Energy System, you can backup your whole home and concurrently run large loads.
Generator integration with the Enphase Energy System
Enphase’s other major update is that you can now integrate generators with the Enphase Energy System. A generator can be incorporated into any setup except the Solar Only configuration because the IQ System Controller 2 is the hub that actually connects to the generator. With an integrated generator, you’ll be able to use it to recharge your IQ Battery with a solar-plus-storage setup or as additional backup power with your Sunlight Backup set up. Generators from various manufacturers can be incorporated into the Enphase Energy System including some models from Kohler, Generac, Briggs & Stratton, and Cummins. It’s important to note that charging your battery with a generator may impact your eligibility for the federal tax credit for your battery.
Start your solar journey today on EnergySage
Whether you’re looking for an Enphase Energy System, or a different type of solar or solar-plus-storage setup, the best way to start saving money on your utility bill is by going solar. When you sign up for free on the EnergySage Marketplace, we’ll gather up to seven quotes for you from local installers. By comparing quotes, you can find a system that meets your needs at the right price. Only interested in Enphase equipment? Make a note in your profile to let installers know so they can include it in their quotes.
Missed part one of this series? Learn about the Enphase Energy System components in the previous article.
