This installation tip was provided by Peter Lum, training manager at Enphase Energy

Solar installers that ensure their customers’ solar systems are always connected to a data network deliver peace of mind and value to homeowners. In contrast to utility-scale solar, individual homeowners do not stand to lose out on millions of dollars in ROI when their solar systems underperform, but that doesn’t mean homeowners are OK with the risk of system underperformance. Homeowners are still at risk of losing promised benefits of solar when their systems do not perform as intended.

As an industry, we disappoint the homeowner at our own peril. Advanced solar systems are essentially internet-of-things (IoT) appliances that allow remote diagnostics, software updates and performance monitoring. These always-connected IoT appliances allow solar homeowners (and their installers) to know exactly how much energy they are producing and alert them when something is amiss.

Enphase solar installers can now offer their customers a new level of confidence and service by including the IoT-grade Enphase Cellmodem-M1 cellular communications device with every Enphase system they install. A constantly connected solar system gives everyone peace of mind.