Batteries

No, IQ System Controller 3 or 3G does not support the IQ Meter Collar.

Yes. The IQ System Controller 3M and the IQ Meter Collar are paired solutions.

No. Unlike the IQ System Controller 3, which usually needs a backup panel, the IQ System Controller 3M sends power back to the home's main panel. This means you don't have to move circuits or install a separate backup panel, saving on labor costs, installation time, and space.

No. The IQ System Controller 3M does not support generator integration. If generator support is essential, consider an IQ System Controller 3G that specifically offers this feature.

Absolutely. The IQ System Controller 3M is fully compatible with the IQ Load Controller, letting homeowners intelligently manage and prioritize essential loads during an outage.

The IQ System Controller 3M can manage a maximum combined PV + battery capacity of 46.08 kW. Each of the three distributed energy resource (DER) ports can support a continuous power output of up to 15.03 kW:

• DER 1: Used for PV
• DER 2: Used for battery
• DER 3: Can be assigned to either PV or an additional battery

The system also supports up to 80 kWh of storage through the battery oversubscription feature, making it a robust choice for large energy demands.

While you wait for utility approval or installation, the system can operate in a standard grid-tied mode, until the IQ Meter Collar is commissioned to enable full backup.

Until the IQ Meter Collar is commissioned, if consumption CTs are already installed, the IQ Battery 5P can continue operating in grid-tied mode. Once you add the IQ Meter Collar, the battery gains the ability to form its own microgrid for backup.

Yes. Because the IQ Meter Collar is placed behind the utility meter, you must obtain the necessary permissions or approvals from your local utility to ensure compliance with regulations.

Yes. Installers must be certified and trained by Enphase to handle the IQ Meter Collar. Official training will be available via Enphase University (IQ System Controller 3M with IQ Meter Collar Installer Certification Training).

Starting January 1, 2025, new solar customers in Illinois will be billed under a new electricity pricing plan called Smart Solar Billing, which is replacing the legacy full retail net metering pricing plan. The new plan uses hourly dynamic pricing to value energy exports as per time of use.

Under the new plan:

• Electricity import and export prices change every hour
• Prices are updated daily and are published up to a day in advance*
• Export credits apply only to the generation component of the electricity bill
• Credits cannot be applied to the delivery component and taxes
• Unused export credits roll over to the next billing period

*Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) publishes forecasted prices for the day. The actual prices are available after the day is over. Ameren publishes the actual prices one day in advance.

Yes. Enphase systems are ready for the new Smart Solar Billing plan. Enphase installer partners can commission new systems in Illinois under this plan by using the correct system settings in the Enphase Installer App.

To ensure proper operation under Smart Solar Billing, the following settings must be configured correctly:

1. Grid Connection Type

Grid Connection Type defines how solar systems exchange electricity with the utility grid and how system owners are billed or compensated for the exchange.

• Smart Solar Billing is the correct Grid Connection Type for systems without battery or for battery systems where the battery rebate has not been claimed
• Smart Solar Billing (with hourly dynamic pricing) is the correct Grid Connection Type for systems with battery where the battery rebate is claimed

2. Battery Mode

Battery Mode controls how the storage system interacts with the utility grid. Battery can operate in Export Only or Import Only mode. 

Under Export Only, battery can discharge to the grid and charge only from PV. In Import Only, battery can charge from the grid but cannot export to the grid.

Battery Mode applies only to systems with storage. Additionally, for systems under Smart Solar Billing (with hourly dynamic pricing), the battery can only operate in Export Only mode.

These settings can be set up using the Enphase Installer App during the commissioning or on the Enphase Installer Portal.

System settings can be set up with the Enphase Installer App during the commissioning or with the Enphase Installer portal.

The following information is required for all systems installed in Illinois since January 1, 2025:

*Smart Solar Billing (with hourly dynamic pricing) is only applicable for battery systems where storage rebate is claimed. For such systems, Battery Mode is defaulted to Export Only as Import Only mode is not applicable.

Using Enphase Installer App for Smart Solar Billing system settings

Setting up a system without all the required information or with incorrect details may result in compliance violation or sub-optimal system performance as explained below.

1. Compliance

A Solar Plus Battery system where the battery rebate is claimed, must be configured to operate under Smart Solar Billing (with hourly dynamic pricing) to ensure that systems owners are eligible to receive the rebate.

2. System Performance

Based on the Grid Connection Type and Battery Grid Mode settings, Enphase systems will automatically maximize savings for homeowners. If a system is incorrectly configured, the system savings would be impacted.

The Grid Connection Type and Battery Operating Mode filters on the Enphase Installer Portal allow Enphase system installers to get all the sites in their fleet with the missing details.

Please navigate to the System List tab under the following URL:

https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/manager/dashboard/systems

The IQ Battery 5P in California, in grid-tied configuration supports 2 different voltage levels, 240 V split-phase and 208 V single-phase. The table below summarizes the power at each voltage level.
 

There are 2 ways to tell if your unit of IQ battery 5P supports 208 V.
 

1. Check the packaging box of your unit. A yellow label on the side will highlight if the unit supports both 208 V and 240 V operation
    

   
    

2. Underneath the cover of the IQ Battery 5P unit, you will find the main label, which lists 208 V as a supported voltage.
    

   

The following settings must be set up correctly for Enphase Energy Systems to operate accurately under NEM 3.0:

1. Grid Connection Type

The Grid Connection Type sets rules for solar systems to exchange electricity with the utility grid, and determines how system owners will be billed or compensated for the exchange.

Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0) is the correct setting for systems under NEM 3.0.

2. Interconnection Date

The Interconnection Date is the date on which the interconnection application was submitted to the utility. It determines the export rates that will be applicable to the system.

The interconnection date for NEM 3.0 systems should be on or after the NEM 2.0 sunset date, which was April 15, 2023.

3. Battery Operating Mode

The Battery Operating Mode determines the rules for the storage system to exchange energy with the utility grid. Under NEM 3.0, the battery can operate in either Export Only or Import Only mode.

Under Export Only, storage can discharge to the grid, but can only be charged from PV. Under Import Only, storage can charge from the grid, but cannot export to the grid.

Battery Operating Mode is only applicable for NEM 3.0 systems with storage. To maximize electricity bill savings, the mode must be set to Export Only.

These settings can be selected using the Enphase Installer App during commissioning, or through the Enphase Installer Portal.

NEM 3.0 system settings can be selected through the Enphase Installer App during commissioning, or through the Enphase Installer Portal.

The following information is required for NEM 3.0 systems:

*Battery Operating Mode is only applicable for NEM 3.0 systems with storage.

Battery export must be enabled in two locations:

1. On the utility interconnection agreement.

2. In the Enphase Energy System settings via either:

a) the Enphase Installer App;

b) the Enphase Installer Portal.

Using the Enphase Installer App for NEM 3.0 system settings:

Using the Enphase Installer Portal for NEM 3.0 system settings:

Setting up a NEM 3.0 system without all the required information, or with incorrect details, may result in compliance violation or sub-optimal system performance.

1. Compliance

If a Solar Plus Batteries system is operated under NEM 3.0, it must be configured to operate using the Import Only or Export Only modes to ensure NEM integrity and receive NEM credits for energy generated by the system.

2. System performance

Based on the Grid Connection Type and Battery Operating Mode settings, Enphase systems will automatically maximize savings for homeowners. If an Export Only system is incorrectly configured as Import Only, the savings would be significantly reduced.

In the Enphase Installer Portal, you can easily view which sites in your fleet have missing data. Navigate to the Systems tab in the Portal, and scan to see which sites are missing Grid Connection Type, Interconnection Date, or Battery Operating Mode data.

The battery mode information for a NEM 3.0 system can be found in the interconnection application with the utility.

Here are examples from the three major IoUs in California:

PG&E

The PG&E online portal allows installers to view existing applications. Within an existing/PTO battery application, you can view under the battery system details whether the agreement was submitted as Yes or No to Exporting to the grid.

Yes reflects an Export Only battery system for NEM 3.0, as shown below:

Checking and modifying battery mode after PTO:

After PTO, modifications to the battery mode can be made by selecting the Upgrade an Existing Facility option. A $145 modification fee is necessary.

PG&E contact details: (877) 743-4112 or rule21gen@pge.com.

SCE

The SCE online portal allows installers to view existing applications. Within an existing/PTO battery application, the installer can view under the battery system details whether the agreement was submitted as Yes or No to export in the Will the Generating Facility(ies) export power to SCE’s Distribution System field.

Yes reflects an Export Only battery system for NEM 3.0, as shown below:

Modifying battery mode for unsubmitted applications:

• Change Will the Generating Facility(ies) export power to SCE’s Distribution System to Yes.
• Finalize application submission.

Modifying battery mode after PTO:

• The preferred route is to email nem@sce.com (or the assigned engineer) to request that the project in question temporarily have PTO rescinded while the change to export is studied by the utility.
• Or, create a new application with exporting to grid enabled. This requires a $94 fee.

SCE contact details: (866) 600-6290 or customer.generation@sce.com and nem@sce.com.

SDG&E

As time of publication, the online SDG&E DIIS portal does not include ESS Operating mode in its application. Instead, SDG&E requires Form 142-02775, titled Power Control Based Equipment Attestation, to be emailed to their net metering department when submitting a net metering application.

To confirm the operating mode for an existing PTO system, installers may need to find it in their sent emails or reach out to SDG&E to receive a copy. Refer to the SDGE NEM/NBT Documents and the SDG&E net metering department for current guidance.

Form 142-02775 reflecting an Export Only, non-import battery system for NEM 3.0:

Modifying the battery mode for unsubmitted applications:

Form 142-02775 may be re-filled to reflect exporting to SDG&E’s grid and submitted with the completed application.

Modifying the battery mode after PTO:

Installers must submit a new application and battery attestation form, and pay another $132 application fee. The project will need to be reviewed for potential transformer overload issues.

SDG&E contact details: (858) 636-5585 and netmetering@sdge.com.

Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0) and the related settings apply only to systems interconnected with either PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, or their CCA partners offering NEM 3.0 interconnection.

NEM 3.0 settings are not applicable for Enphase systems connected to municipal utilities like SMUD, LADWP, Lodi Electric, or others that do not offer NEM 3.0 interconnection.