Northern Electrical Energy Know-how Inc. (NEP) is a U.S.-founded firm that focuses on the manufacturing of module-level energy electronics (MLPE) for photo voltaic installations. Though the very first thing you consider when putting in photo voltaic isn’t microinverters or speedy shutdown units, they’re key parts to creating positive a photo voltaic power system powers your own home safely.
Can NEP’s merchandise be the suitable alternative to your photo voltaic set up even when they’re not probably the most well-known ones available on the market? Let’s have a look.
Northern Electrical Energy microinverters
Northern Electric Power offers five models of microinverters:
- BDM 800
- BDM 600X
- BDM 600-LV
- BDM 500
- BDM 300
NEP advertises its BDM 500 model as a “macroinverter” because it can be paired with high-power solar panels up to 750 watts in size. This is way more than what many microinverters can handle, however, most home solar installations don’t install solar panels that large, so you probably won’t need to worry about taking advantage of this benefit.
The rest of NEP’s microinverters are compatible with solar panels up to either 385 or 450 watts in size. Each BDEM 800, BDM 600X, and BDM 600-LV can connect to two panels, reducing the total number of microinverters needed for a system.
All NEP microinverters have efficiency ratings between 95.5% and 96.5%, which is right in line with Enphase microinverters, the most popular brand on the market.
How much do NEP microinverters cost?
NEP microinverters typically cost somewhere around $160 each. This means installing NEP microinverters with an average-sized solar panel system would cost somewhere around $3,200.
At first glance, this seems like it’s just about the same price as an Enphase inverter. But, some of NEP’s inverter models are able to output more power than that of Enpahse, so you could get more bang for your buck.
How long do NEP microinverters last?
NEP’s warranty terms are a bit confusing. Based on what we can find, there is a standard limited product warranty that states NEP will cowl any defects in workmanship or supplies for 25 years except the “unique buy is for the decrease price 10-year guarantee possibility”. It’s not totally clear how a lot additional you pay for the longer guarantee and even easy methods to go about accessing it, and we haven’t been in a position to simply discover this sheet on NEP’s web site.
What we have discovered on NEP’s web site is the guarantee included of their set up manuals. All the microinverters have a 10-year guarantee listed, aside from the BDM 300 and the BDM 600X which don’t have any guarantee time period size listed.
Most microinverters available on the market right now include 25-year warranties. The shorter guarantee may be very low and suggests that you simply might need to switch the inverters after 10 years. This may very well be expensive, as you would wish to get an installer in your roof and connect new inverters to each panel.
To search out out the precise guarantee that your product truly qualifies for, it’s greatest to get in touch with NEP’s buyer assist.
What different merchandise does NEP supply?
NEP doesn’t simply promote microinverters – the corporate additionally gateway methods and rapid shutdown devices. Gateways communicate with the grid and display the system’s energy production on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. NEP’s gateway also comes with a unique feature that shows the amount of carbon dioxide that the solar panels have prevented.
Rapid shutdown devices stop a solar system from generating electricity so first responders can safely access the roof in case of an emergency. Solar panels are required by law to have rapid shutdown capabilities. Many inverters have built-in rapid shutdown mechanisms, but you can opt for a NEP’s PVG-Guard device for those who don’t.
Are NEP microinverters right for you?
Northern Electric Power’s microinverters have some pretty impressive specs, especially when it comes to the amount of power they can accept from solar panels, and they come at a reasonable price. However, the confusion surrounding their warranty and the fact that they aren’t a well-known brand could be a bit concerning for some.
Overall, it’s up to you to decide whether or not NEP equipment will meet your needs. The best way to determine if NEP is right for you is by talking to a solar installer. Local solar installers can give you a better idea of what brands they recommend, and what type of system will help you bring down your energy bills.
