california solar: 101

 Direct current (DC) is one-directional flow of an electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or even through a vacuum as in electron or ion beams. The electric current flows in a constant direction, this is the difference between AC.

 Alternating current (AC) is a type of electric current that periodically reverses its direction of flow. Its polarity changes over time, and its magnitude fluctuates sinusoidally, typically following a waveform like a sine wave. This variation results in the current alternating between positive and negative values as it cycles through different phases, characterized by its frequency. This behavior is opposite to a direct current (DC), where the waveform remains steady over time. 

Solaredge makes a CENTRALIZED inverter system. This means, All the solar panels connect to OPTIMIZERS, those all connect to each other in series making a circuit, then those wires (DC) run down to an inverter on the wall (near the MSP) where it converts the DC to AC so your house can accept the energy. Back in the day when solar started, all the panels were all connected to each other, then you just had a hot (live electricity) positive and negative wire, still DC. This worked fine but was very inefficient. If there was an array (block) of 10 panels, and one was shaded, it limited all the panels in that circuit to the watts being produced by the shaded panel. "You're only as strong as your weakest link," literally. Solaredge invented the optimizers, so the panels production is independent of the other panels. 

Enphase is the other company that makes inverters, however, they do not use a centralized inverter or optimizers, instead, they use MICROINVERTERS, for which there is one microinevrter connecting to every solar panel. Then, the microinverters are wired together, but then the wires going down towards the MSP are already AC. But, because normally 10 panels go on one string, usually you have two to three strings (circuits) coming from the roof. So, you need a subpanel (combiner panel) to combine the strings. We usually use an Enphase Combiner Panel, but if its solar only, no battery, you can just use a 125A Eaton outdoor subpanel to combine circuits. Enphase makes a good system, but if you use an Enphase battery or microinverters, then you have to use all Enphase products, including roof wires, etc. 

Tesla was the original top quality battery with an iPhone app and great customer service. I used to be a strictly Tesla battery guy, telling people, "If you get a battery ONLY get a Tesla battery." Until there was a shortage of the batteries, then after that fixed itself then there was a shortage of the other little equipment needed to complete a battery install to get it to pass the building inspection. Tesla, the company, saves all the parts for themself, and only sells other solar companies extras. This is because they want you to pay that Tesla money to get a Powerwall System. The Tesla battery is called a Powerwall. The latest and greatest is a Powerwall 3. The first battery bank with a built-in solar inverter. Sounds dope, but it's not as good as it seems! Teslas are still extremely good batteries. But Elon just moved their headquarters to Austin, is dealing with political pressure, and some of the little parts are made in China, so I don't know how bad the tariffs are going to affect the cost of a Tesla battery system. They do look extremely clean after installed and I would say that the iPhone app you usen to control it is more user friendly than Enphase's.

So, after becoming NOT a Tesla guy, after you couldn't get them./ I became an Enphase guy. They are made in America, so they won't be affected by tariffs, there's plenty of them available, and they aren't owned by somebody who is all involved in politics. So, now I tell people, "If you're going to get a battery, get an Enphase 10C." The 10C is the new Enphase battery, it's 10 kW of storage, it's made different so you can backup the whole house with one. I was the first person who didn't work for Enphase Beta Team who installed the new 10C batteries with the new 6C Combiner. Where, in the past, you could only backup 30A of circuits per battery, so 2 batteries were needed for 60A of breakers, and so on. You needed 3 or 4 for a whole home backup. All in all, after installed, both battery systems end up being about the same. The one thing I don't liuke, is when using Enphase microinverters you HAVE to use Enphase connector wire, and when using ENP batteries you HAVE to use Enphase communication wire. Where, with Solaredge and every other system, you can use universal wires and parts. This makes it slightly more complicated. (Not for us.)