Enphase Ensemble Technology System Planning Tech Brief

Planning an Ensemble Technology System – North America

Figure 1: Microgrid system components based on 2017 NEC 690 and 705

Backup Configurations

Ensemble technology system flexibility enables many backup configurations for different customer goals and needs.

There are two common configurations that allow the Encharge storage system to provide power to customer loads

independent of the grid.

Whole Home Backup – Enpower installed on the line-side of the main load panel

In the whole home (main load panel) backup configuration, Enpower smart switch is installed on the line-side of the

main load panels rated up to 200A. This allows a properly sized Ensemble technology system to provide power to all

loads in the main load panel in the event of a grid outage. In this configuration, the Enpower smart switch can be

configured with a main breaker to act as the service disconnecting means. The PV system can be interconnected to

the Enpower smart switch on a dedicated breaker or may be interconnected to the main load panel. This

configuration typically supports larger PV and storage system sizes and may allow avoiding expensive utility service

and/or main service panel upgrades. One example of this whole home (main load panel) backup configuration is

shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Always-On Ensemble technology system with whole home (main load panel) backup. The Enpower smart

switch is installed on the line-side of main load panel, and PV and Encharge storage system are interconnected into

the Enpower smart switch.