When homeowners start comparing solar quotes in Alberta, one of the first things they notice is that different companies recommend completely different inverter systems. Some installers use microinverters, such as Hoymiles, APsystems, or Enphase, while others use SolarEdge, a string-inverter system with panel-level optimizers. You also occasionally see Solis or Sol-Ark.
At Potential Solar, we install Enphase (our micro of choice – read why here!) and SolarEdge. Not because we couldn't decide which one is “better,” but because they are both excellent technologies, and the right choice depends on the circumstances.
So, the key question is “Which inverter system makes the most sense for your home?”
Both systems allow each solar panel to be monitored individually. Both offer consumption monitoring. Both are highly capable. But the architecture behind them is different.
In this article, I’ll explain how Enphase and SolarEdge work, what they have in common, where they differ, and how we choose between them when designing solar systems for Calgary and Alberta homeowners.
What Does a Solar Inverter Actually Do?
Solar panels produce DC (Direct Current) electricity, but your home uses AC (Alternating Current) electricity. The main job of any solar inverter is to convert the electricity produced by your solar panels into electricity your home can actually use.
- In a traditional string inverter system, several solar panels are connected together in a series, or “string,” and the DC electricity from that string of panels is sent to one central inverter for conversion into AC power.
- Normally, this means that all of the panels match the production of the lowest-producing panel in the string (ouch!), but SolarEdge has a trick up its sleeve. Read on to find out!
- In a microinverter system, each panel has its own small inverter installed underneath it, so the DC-to-AC conversion happens right at the panel before the electricity travels to the home.
Enphase vs SolarEdge: The Choir and Soloist Analogy
An easy way to understand the difference between Enphase and SolarEdge is to think about a choir and a soloist.
Enphase: The Choir
With Enphase, each solar panel has its own microinverter installed underneath it. That means each panel is having its DC power converted to AC right at the panel.
In this setup, the solar system works more like a choir. Each panel has its own “voice,” and each panel contributes independently to the overall performance of the system. If one panel is affected by snow, shade, dirt, or a temporary issue, the rest of the panels can keep performing independently.
SolarEdge: The Soloist... with a Support Crew!
With SolarEdge, all of the panels are connected to one central inverter where the conversion from DC to AC happens. However, each solar panel has what is called a DC power optimizer installed underneath it. The optimizer helps each panel perform independently, but the system still uses a central inverter, usually installed near the home’s main electrical panel, to convert the electricity from DC to AC.
In this setup, the optimizers are like a support crew helping each panel perform its best, while the central inverter is the soloist that handles the major conversion work for the whole system. This is why SolarEdge systems have DC cabling from the roof to the inverter, while Enphase systems convert to AC at the panel level.
What Enphase and SolarEdge Have in Common
- Both offer panel-level monitoring and optimizing – great against shading (vents, trees)
- Both can offer consumption monitoring
- Both have battery-ready ecosystems
- Both offer proprietary EV charger options
- Both are strong options for residential solar
Choosing Between Enphase and SolarEdge
So, why would we choose one over the other? The short version is this: we usually default to Enphase because it is our preferred system for most homes and offers industry leading features, warranties, construction, reliability and easy of installation.
However, occasionally there are homes where factors such as energy requirements or home/roof complexity mean that going with Enphase will incur extra costly changes or upgrades – this is where SolarEdge shines.
Here are a few of the factors that we consider when deciding whether Enphase or SolarEdge makes more sense for a home:
- Roof layout, South or East/West roof faces
- Complex roof geometry (multiple, small roof faces)
- Detached garages (requiring semi-independent systems)
- Electrical Main- and sub-panel size and location
- Breaker size and available electrical capacity
- Meter location compared to the main electrical panel
- Future EV charger plans
- Future battery plans
- Solar System expandability requirements
As you can see, it’s not a simple tick-box decision. For example, an East/West roof does not automatically mean a home needs a SolarEdge system. Similarly, needing roof for future expansion doesn’t automatically mean an Enphase system! We consider all of the factors above to determine which inverter architecture is the best fit: that is why two homes with similar roof shapes or size can still end up with different inverter recommendations!
When Do We Rule Out Enphase?
We may rule out Enphase when a homeowner needs more solar panels to offset their electricity consumption than their existing main electrical panel can comfortably support using Enphase. For example, if a home has a 100A main panel with a 125A busbar and a 100A main breaker, then the maximum number of Enphase IQ8HC microinverters that we can install is 27 (so 27 solar panels). However, if the home’s energy needs require more than 27 solar panels, SolarEdge can sometimes* allow us to install a larger solar array because it can support a higher DC-to-AC ratio (basically, more watts of solar panel capacity per watt of inverter capacity).
In plain language, this can sometimes help us offer the homeowner more solar production without triggering a main panel upgrade, making the project more cost-effective!
*"Sometimes” because truly optimising a solar system design can get complicated and it’s not always as simple as “plug in more panels”! This is why it’s best if solar design is done by professionals.
When Do We Rule Out SolarEdge?
We may rule out SolarEdge when the electrical meter and the main electrical panel are on opposite sides of the home. Because SolarEdge uses a central inverter and often requires a special lockable disconnect in the right location, this kind of layout can make the wiring route longer, more complicated, and too expensive.
Enphase is also preferred for many homes with detached garages because its consumption monitoring setup is typically easier to integrate cleanly into that type of electrical layout than with SolarEdge.
Warranty Comparison
Warranty is another important part of the inverter discussion. Solar proposals often show savings over 25 years, so it is important to understand how the inverter warranty fits into the expected system life. Here is a simple comparison:
Homeowners should understand which components they are being offered, what each warranty covers, and how future equipment replacement could affect long-term ownership. We have already covered microinverter reliability and failure rates in more detail in a separate article, so if you want to go deeper into that topic, you can read our post: https://www.potential.solar/post/do-microinverters-fail-more-solar
So, Which One Is Better for Calgary Homes?
If you are comparing solar quotes and one company recommends a microinverter setup while another recommends SolarEdge, do not panic. That does not automatically mean one quote is good and the other is bad. But it does mean you should ask questions. Here are a few good ones:
- Why did you choose this inverter system for my home?
- Does the proposal include consumption monitoring?
- What warranties apply to each component of the proposed system?
- Are future EV chargers or batteries being considered?
- If another installer recommended a different inverter, why might that be?
A good company should be able to explain their design choices and you don’t have to be content with “well that’s just the inverter system that we use”. Make sure you end up with a solar system that you feel good about and understand, or at the very least, with an installer that can give true peace of mind about their choice.
Ask Us Which Inverter Makes Sense for Your Roof
If you are comparing solar quotes and wondering why different companies recommended different inverter systems, we would be happy to help you understand the difference!
