Sunlight Backup

An Enphase Sunlight Backup system with IQ8 Series Microinverters keeps essential appliances running during a grid outage without the need to install a battery. This makes Sunlight Backup systems ideal for homeowners who want basic daytime protection from grid outages while reducing their initial investment. In addition, Sunlight Backup systems make it even easier than Solar Only systems to add batteries in the future since the IQ System Controller 2 that is required for Home Essentials Backup or Full Energy Independence will already be integrated into the system.

Components System diagram Important tips Documentation FAQ

Overview

In this configuration, the Enphase Energy System provides backup using IQ8 Series Microinverters when the sun is shining. The system does not include any IQ Batteries. The system can support PV branch circuits rated for up to 64 A continuous current output.

The IQ System Controller 2 is installed on the load side of an existing main load panel. This configuration must be used with an essential loads solution, consisting of:

An off-the-shelf panel with a maximum of four 240 V L-L or eight 120 V L-N, essential load circuits that are backed up by the system. An additional 120 V L-N breaker is required to power each IQ Load Controller.
Either one or two IQ Load Controllers, each enabling fine-grained, circuit-level control of each 240 V or a group of two 120 V essential load circuits.

Using this configuration for backing up an entire home will lead to poor customer experience and is not a use case supported by Enphase.

Components

All the important parts you'll need for the IQ8 Series Sunlight Backup configuration.

IQ8 Series Microinverter

Our newest microinverters are the industry’s first grid-forming microinverters with split-phase power conversion capability to convert DC power to AC power efficiently.

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IQ8/IQ8+

IQ8A/IQ8M

IQ8H

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IQ8 Series

IQ Combiner 4/4C

The IQ Combiner consolidates interconnection equipment into a single enclosure, streamlining solar and storage installations by providing a consistent, pre-wired solution for solar PV for residential applications. The IQ Combiner 4C has an integrated 4G LTE CAT M1 cellular modem while IQ Combiner 4 does not. The IQ Combiner 4/4C is IQ8-ready for Solar Only as well as backup-capable systems.

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IQ Load Controller

While off-grid, the IQ Load Controller helps power your critical loads longer by shedding nonessential loads and loads that cannot be supported at current level of power generation. It can also help ensure the right solar-to-storage ratio for an off-grid system.

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System Shutdown Switch

The System Shutdown Switch provides rapid shutdown initiation capability, as required by NEC standard, for IQ8 Series Microinverters when used with IQ System Controller 2. This switch and IQ System Controller 2 are certified to the UL1741 PVRSE requirement. The component also contains necessary labels that are required as per the NEC to identify a rapid shutdown initiator.

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Important tips

Visit our Sunlight Backup installation support page for the latest information and videos to ensure successful Sunlight Backup deployments.

Systems with IQ8 Series Microinverters must contain only IQ8 Series Microinverters as they are incompatible with older generations of Enphase IQ Microinverters, including IQ6 and IQ7 Series Microinverters. This applies for all system configurations, with and without storage.

Hold-down kits are required for all solar PV branch circuit breakers in IQ Combiner 4/4C and IQ Combiner breaker in IQ System Controller 2.

Sunlight Backup systems require the use of an IQ System Controller 2. IQ System Controller (formerly Enpower) is incompatible with Sunlight Backup systems.

Sunlight Backup systems support up to 4 x 240 V or 8 x 120 V essential load circuits with two IQ Load Controllers and 2 x 240 V or 4 x 120 V essential load circuits with one IQ Load Controller. You must install at least one IQ Load Controller before commissioning a Sunlight Backup system.

Sunlight Backup systems require the use of the System Shutdown Switch. The System Shutdown Switch along with 20 feet each of red, black, orange and purple wires are included in the IQ System Controller 2 package. This switch acts as the rapid shutdown initiator for grid-forming IQ8 Series Microinverters.

Backup-capable systems with IQ8 Series Microinverters require IQ Gateway (formerly known as IQ Envoy) software version 7.3.120 or later. The Enphase Installer App (formerly Installer Toolkit) will prompt you to update software if required.

Be sure to update your Enphase Installer App to 3.27.0 or higher. Check back regularly for updates and improvements.

Sunlight Backup

Overview

Components

IQ8 Series Microinverter

IQ Combiner 4/4C

IQ System Controller 2

IQ Load Controller

System Shutdown Switch

Eaton Type BR circuit breaker hold-down screw kit

Eaton hold-down kit for PV breakers in IQ Combiner

Communications Kit

System diagram

Important tips

Documentation

Frequently asked questions

On-demand webinar

Learn about adding IQ Batteries to Enphase Energy Systems.

Enphase University

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