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Enphase Energy and Solaria Announce High-Performance AC Modules

April 23, 2018 by Paul Shepard

Enphase Energy, Inc. and Solaria Corporation today announced the introduction of an Enphase Energized™ AC Module, the Solaria PowerXT®-AC. The Solaria PowerXT®-AC features the Enphase IQ 7+ Microinverter and delivers high performance and aesthetics through Solaria’s proprietary module technology. The PowerXT®-AC will be available from Soligent at locations around the U.S. starting in June 2018.

The PowerXT®-AC is an Enphase Energized AC Module to be built by Solaria at its recently expanded manufacturing facility in Fremont, Calif. The company will integrate Enphase IQ 7+ Microinverters with its high-output PowerXT® 355W (60-cell equivalent) modules.

Enphase Energized AC Modules allow installers to be more competitive through improved capital management, reduced labor costs and accelerated design and installation times. The PowerXT®-AC can help ensure that solar installers maximize power deployment on customer roofs, which accelerates payback timelines for customers and increases profitability for installers.

“Solaria is excited to work with Enphase to deliver innovative solar solutions to homeowners,” said Suvi Sharma, president and chief executive officer of Solaria Corporation. “Customers who insist on quality AC solar modules will enjoy the many benefits of simplified system design and reduced costs with the PowerXT-AC. By outfitting solar arrays with these modules, we believe installers will bring their customers great-looking, highly efficient solar systems.”

The Solaria PowerXT®-AC is based on Solaria’s all-black, high output PowerXT 60-cell equivalent module and features a black back sheet. The proprietary PowerXT platform uses Solaria’s advanced cell interconnect and module production processes, which significantly boost power generation while avoiding reliability challenges that can reduce conventional PV modules’ long-term performance.

“Soligent is proud to carry this exceptional product that combines the best of what two of our strategic partners have to offer,” said Jonathan Doochin, CEO of Soligent Holdings. “We are excited to offer the Solaria PowerXT®-AC to our extensive network of solar installers around the country.”

The PowerXT®-AC features Enphase’s seventh-generation microinverter platform, the IQ 7+ Micro, which leads the industry with broad regulatory compliance, advanced ‘Smart Grid’ features, and an outstanding fire safety rating. The IQ 7+ Micro supports 60- and 72-cell PV modules up to 440W with peak AC output power of 295VA and a Maximum Power Point (MPP) tracking range of 27V - 45V.

“We consider the AC Module collaboration with Solaria to be an important step in bringing next generation clean energy solutions to the roof,” said David Ranhoff, chief commercial officer of Enphase Energy. “Powered by the IQ 7+ Micro, the Solaria PowerXT®-AC combines the innovation prowess of two Silicon Valley companies in partnership with a leading distribution partner like Soligent to offer AC Module value and performance to both installers and homeowners.”

AC Modules based on Enphase IQ™ microinverters meet or exceed regulatory requirements set by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and individual states and are certified compliant with NEC 2014 and 2017 rapid shutdown requirements. Unlike string inverters, Enphase IQ microinverters have rapid shutdown built in, with no additional equipment necessary.

Enphase IQ microinverters also comply with requirements for distributed solar on utility networks included in Rule 21 in California and Hawaiian Electric Company Rule 14H, such as power factor, voltage and frequency ride-through requirements.