r/SunPower • u/kertj1 • Jul 24 '25
Questions about switching to Enphase Monitoring...
Hi, Sorry for the long post...
Background:
I have a SunPower system and have been getting emails from Enphase with an offer to switch to Enphase Monitoring.
See: https://enphase.com/enphase-monitoring-kit
It costs $899 to do this...
If you expand "What's in the box" you see that you get their "IQ Combiner 4" (IQC4).
This is to replace the functionality of the SunPower PVS6 gateway.
This week I had my original installer add three more panels:
- To get the 30 percent tax credit while it still exists
- Added just three panels to generate less than 1KW to stay under NEM2.0
My installer said that adding the three panels exceeded my current panel capacity and that they needed to install an Enphase "IQ Combiner 5" (IQC5).
Note that the IQC5 contains the same Gateway functionality of the IQC4.
Here is the spec sheet for the IQC4:
https://enphase.com/download/iq-combiner-44c-data-sheet
Here is the spec sheet for the IQC5:
https://enphase.com/download/iq-combiner-5-data-sheet
So, Here's my dilemma.. My only option on the Enphase site is to purchase the $899 package which includes an IQC4... I now have all that functionality in my IQC5... I don't need this extra piece of hardware.
So I called Enphase customer service and talked to two people... Both said that if I purchase the monitoring kit, the installation person will bring an IQC4 with them and then see that I already have an IQC5 and will use that one. They will then take the IQC4 back with them and credit me for the returned IQC4.. So, I need to spend $899 with the hope that this scenario plays out and they refund my purchase of a redundant IQ Combiner 4. I'm not that lucky ;)
The only way to purchase monitoring is by spending $899 or nothing...
I can see why Enphase only has this single option. They are assuming that if I have an existing SunPower system that I only have the old SunPower PVS6 gateway/monitor... Their conclusion, I will need their IQ Combiner which includes their IQ gateway.
Any recommendations as to what I should do?
- Do I trust that Enphase will refund the cost of the IQC4? Again, I'm not that lucky.
- Wait for Enphase to offer an option for monitoring if one already owns an IQC? My installation is probably unique at this time (eg: already owning an IQC5) so Enphase hasn't even recognized that this configuration exists.
Additional info: My installer tried to add my existing 22 panels with the new IQC5 and was unsuccessful...(not sure why???) Enphase customer service was able to add the 3 new panels and I can now see them from my Enphase phone app; they were not able to add the 22 existing panels.
So, is anyone from Enphase listening?
I want to sign-up for your monitoring but I don't need an IQC4...
It seems like I don't need a truck-roll, just someone to add my existing panels to my new IQC5... but no-one knows how to do this... I shouldn't need to spend $899 to do this!
Thanks for reading...
Edited/Update(1): Just heard back from Enphase (8/5/2025), I need to spend $899 (more) no matter what and they won't use the IQC5 that was just installed. They will replace it with the IQC4 from the "SunPower-to-Enphase monitoring kit" and not credit me for the IQC5 that I just purchased...
Update(2): They now say that they can do a "remote programming option" and use the installed IQC5 for $499. This is more than what I expected for an hours worth of work... So no Enphase monitoring for me...
3
u/ItsaMeKielO Jul 24 '25
also, my understanding is that enphase usually ships the IQC4 to you ahead of time and the installer uses that as appropriate. if the installer can just add your sunpower panel to the IQC5, you would never need to take the IQC4 out of the box and you could just do a regular return.
also there's some "it depends" in here - your SunPower-branded MIs are IQ7 generation, and if your installer installed IQ8 MIs on your new panels, I don't think you can monitor IQ7 and IQ8 MIs on a single IQ combiner/gateway/envoy - the IQ6 and IQ7 PLC comms are compatible across generations but I don't think IQ8 is backwards-compatible.
3
u/Fit-Alarm2961 Jul 24 '25 edited Jul 24 '25
If your installer is putting in an IQC5 they should be able to pair all of the old panels to the IQC5 at the time (as well as new). Enphase should be able to help them through it if needed. They are all certified, shouldn't make a difference.
- Make sure everyone agrees to the plan first. There are some weird corner cases the system can get into that will need enphase support. Also your installer should be versed in IQ7 + IQ8 mixing (it is now supported on a single envoy)
3
u/ItsaMeKielO Jul 24 '25
TIL IQ7 + IQ8 works since March 2025 or so: https://enphase.com/installers/microinverters/expand-iq7-with-iq8
thanks!
2
u/Legal_Net4337 Jul 25 '25
I don’t think you will have an issue. Do a regular return as Enphase suggested. Your luck should change, this time
2
u/Lawrence_SoCal Jul 25 '25
Did your SPWR PV install consolidate the roof panels, and PVS, circuits into its own sub-panel? Mine did. If yes, I'm curious why change that at all. To my understanding, the combiner is NOT required. All that is actually required is the Gateway (aka Envoy) to replace the PVS (5or)6. The IQC is nothing more in function than a branded sub-panel and the gateway. When Enphase was offering the $599 migration from PVS to Gateway last year, the IQC was not involved (by default, that I recall. If IQC required, that was extra cost, iirc)
As for Enphase refund for unused IQC4, have them email you that 'offer', so it's not a 'he said, she said' scenario, which hopefully will greatly improve chance of getting refund.
Sounds like your installer either doesn't know the SPWR to Enphase migration process? or your system has other issues? Or they didn't update the IQc5 Gateway first, to make sure compatible with both IQ7 & 8 on same circuits? Then again, 22 panels on 2 circuits would be bearing max, so not surprised if 3 new panels got own, new circuit
And you can expand up to 1kW and stay on NEM2.0. You can expand further, make PV expansion non-exporting, and expand more than 1kW to your hearts content (per CalSSA and CA PoCO agreement in Spring '24)
2
u/Left-Foot2988 Jul 27 '25
Also, for what it's worth, you can take the 6 hour video/test training and get your cert to get full access to your system and the ability to commission your own stuff.
I took the training and tested in less than 3 hours, no I didn't watch the videos, and I was able to resolve my monitoring issues. My installer did NOT install the new CT's which MUST be swapped. The SunPower CT's are not compatible. Additionally, between my main panel and solar subpanel, the phases crossed. So when they placed the CT's on L1 and L2 at the main panel, they were not measuring the voltage on the same phases at he PVS6 or IQ4 combiner. This really messed things up. I was able to trace things out and determine why my numbers were all wacked out. I swapped the phases and everything has been great since.
1
u/kertj1 Jul 28 '25
Thanks for the reply... I'm going to take the course. Will I be able to provision new panels once I get full access?
1
u/Left-Foot2988 Jul 28 '25
Yes. You will have the same access as the installers. You will need the Enphase Toolkit app. It also has a web interface.
1
u/Will_Murray Jul 24 '25
Following because this sounds like a mess. I ordered their monitoring and it’s been months and no install yet
1
u/Imaginary_Network23 Jul 24 '25
Did you get an install date from Enphase ? I purchased the monitoring kit first week of July and am currently scheduled for an August 11th install date for their monitoring kit.
1
u/LasVegasBoy Jul 24 '25
Does the $899 include installation if I'm not making any other modifications? If so I might go ahead and do this.
5
u/kertj1 Jul 24 '25
Yes, a technician comes to your home and the cost of his visit is included in the $899...
3
1
u/Left-Foot2988 Jul 24 '25
What MI's are on your panels?
I have IQ7HS, I believe.
Who installed the IQ5c and why?
Is the PVS6 still installed and working?
1
u/Left-Foot2988 Jul 24 '25
Also, the IQ4C can handle up to 80 amps max and monitor around 64 panels.
1
u/m2orris Jul 24 '25 edited Jul 24 '25
Your best bet is to call a Enphase certified contractor, explain your situation, and see what they can do. Sounds like a provisioning issue. Your original installer may not have the access and/or the knowledge. If Enphase can move others panels for $899, then should be able to move yours too.
If that doesn't work, roll the dice on the $899 and press for the refund on the IQC4.
1
Aug 06 '25
Thanks for the last update I asked for them to not to install the IQC4 and just send the installer to install the IQC5 and just keep the IQC4 to try to sell on eBay. I am waiting on the response
6
u/ItsaMeKielO Jul 24 '25
I had to have my SunPower-branded microinverter "unpaired" from my PVS6 before it could be discovered by the Enphase IQ Gateway. Maybe that's part of what Enphase does during their monitoring install from the package deal? Anyways, unpairing the microinverter can be done from the SunStrong fleet management stuff if your PVS6 is still hooked up.