Enphase Energy announces introduction of seventh-generation IQ microinverters
Leading US microinverter manufacturer announced the introduction of its seventh-generation Enphase IQ microinverters, which are reported to produce 4% more power, and to be 19% lighter and 17% smaller than the IQ 6 family of microinverters.
The Enphase IQ 7 Micro and Enphase IQ 7+ Micro are designed for worldwide markets and have started shipping to distributors in the United States. Enphase IQ 7 microinverters will continue to be phased into markets around the world through the first half of 2018.
Seventh-generation IQ microinverters are powered by Enphase’s unique software-defined architecture which results in an efficient design, and a single hardware SKU worldwide.
The new IQ Microinverters offer the same ease of installation with revolutionary two-wire cabling, and leverages semiconductor integration for higher reliability and better economies of scale.
The 250 W AC Enphase IQ 7 Micro and the 295 W AC Enphase IQ 7+ Micro will be followed by a new, high-power 320 W AC variant, the Enphase IQ 7X Micro, to address 96-cell modules. Enphase IQ 7X Micros are expected to be introduced in the second quarter of 2018.
According to Enphase, the seventh-generation IQ microinverters offer significant benefits to installers and homeowners, including:
- Seamless integration into the Enphase Home Energy Solution with IQ and energy monitoring and insights from the Enphase Enlighten™ software platform’s easy-to-use interface.
- Greater reliability achieved via BOM reduction enabled by a new 55nm ASIC chip.
- Fast and easy installation with the existing suite of IQ products: the lighter two-wire Enphase Q Cable™, the Enphase IQ Combiner+™ with pre-installed Enphase IQ Envoy™, and the Enphase Q Aggregator™ which enables “plug and play” connection for up to three branches on the roof.
- Expansion into new global markets within Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America that were not supported by previous generation microinverters.
Badri Kothandaraman, president and CEO of Enphase Energy said:
“With the IQ 7 family of microinverters, we continue to deliver on our vision of innovation and high quality. This in-line upgrade to the IQ family of microinverters represents another milestone in our mission to reduce manufacturing costs, and reach our 30% gross margin, 20% OPEX, and 10% operating income (30/20/10) target operating model by the fourth quarter of 2018.”
For more information about Enphase IQ 7 microinverters, visit the product page.
Source: Press Release by Enphase Energy. Photo Credit: © Enphase Energy.
