I NS TA L L A TI O N A N D O P E R A TI O N MA NU A L Envoy Communications Gateway 141-00011, Rev 05
Envoy Installation and Operation Contact Information Enphase Energy Inc. 1420 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma, CA 94954 http://www.enphase.com info@enphaseenergy.com support@enphaseenergy.com FCC Compliance This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Envoy Installation and Operation Table of Contents Important Information ................................................................................................................. 5 Read this First .................................................................................................................................. 5 Safety Instructions ........................................................................................................................... 5 Audience ..................
Envoy Installation and Operation Issue: LCD Screen Displays "Scanning Inhibited"..................................................................... 32 Issue: The Envoy has Good Signal Strength but is Too Far from the Router ........................... 32 Issue: Wireless Adapter Wi-Fi Problems ................................................................................... 32 Issue: How Set Up Wi-Fi Without Wi-Fi WPS............................................................................
Envoy Installation and Operation Important Information Read this First Follow the instructions in this manual. These instructions are key to the installation and maintenance of the Enphase Envoy® Communications Gateway (Envoy). To ensure the safe installation and operation of the Envoy, note the following safety symbols that appear throughout this document to indicate dangerous conditions and important safety instructions.
Envoy Installation and Operation The Enphase Envoy Communications Gateway The Envoy® Communications Gateway is an integral component of the Enphase® Microinverter System™. It operates between the Enphase Microinverters and the Enphase Enlighten® web-based monitoring and analysis software. The Envoy functions as a gateway and monitors the microinverters that are connected to the PV modules. The Envoy collects energy and performance data from the microinverters over on-site AC power lines.
Envoy Installation and Operation Other Elements in the Enphase System The Enphase Microinverter converts the DC output of the PV module into grid-compliant AC power. In addition to performing the DC to AC conversion, it maximizes energy production by using a sophisticated Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm. This integrated system maximizes energy harvest, increases system reliability, and simplifies design, installation and management.
Envoy Installation and Operation Installation Planning and Preparation Review the following preinstallation checks and sizing considerations before you install the Envoy. System Sizing The Envoy is capable of monitoring a large system of Enphase Microinverters. This number varies with Envoy model. Check the model number (SKU) on the Envoy box, or on the back of the Envoy, to determine which model you are installing.
Envoy Installation and Operation Installation Sequence 9 2014 Enphase Energy Inc.
Envoy Installation and Operation Install the Envoy To install the Envoy, perform the following steps. BEST PRACTICE: When powered up and connected for the first time, the Envoy may retrieve an automatic upgrade from Enphase. Because this upgrade may take up to 15 minutes, connect the Envoy first at the site (connect to both AC power and the broadband router) so that it performs the upgrade well before the solar module installation is complete.
Envoy Installation and Operation 2. Register the Envoy Register the Envoy at the beginning of the PV installation. a. Use your previously issued username and password to log in to in Enlighten. If you haven’t registered, go to www.enphase.com and click Enlighten Login. b. At the installer dashboard, click Add a New System. If you have already registered the site, find the system under Installations in Progress. c. Under System, enter the system Name, Type and Installer Reference (optional). d.
Envoy Installation and Operation 3. Find a Location for the Envoy Place the Envoy as close to the load center as possible. This ensures that the Envoy receives the strongest possible communications signal from each microinverter. Place the Envoy indoors or in an environmentally protected location. For wall mounting instructions, see “Wall Mounting” on page 16. a. Locate an indoor AC outlet close to the site’s load center. b. Place the Envoy so that its AC cord can reach this outlet. c.
Envoy Installation and Operation Method B: Power Line Communication Bridges (Included with ENV-120-01) If you need to locate the Envoy away from the router, at a distance where an Ethernet cable is not practical, use power line communication bridges with the Envoy or purchase a wireless Ethernet bridge. Bridges allow the Envoy to communicate with the broadband router without the need for additional Ethernet cabling.
Envoy Installation and Operation d. Once you have verified that the Envoy is running release R3.8 (or later), plug the wireless adapter into the left USB port (looking at Envoy from the front), and wait for 10 seconds. e. Press and hold the WPS button on the wireless router (or access point) for two seconds. On many routers, the WPS button flashes at this point. f. Within two minutes, return to the Envoy. Press and hold the Envoy menu button until the Envoy Menu appears.
Envoy Installation and Operation 7. Check the Envoy’s Progress a. Check the device count (shown as “2” in the illustration). An automatic device scan will to detect microinverters when the DC and AC connections are completed and the AC circuit is energized. If the device scan isn't running, start a new one: Press and hold the Envoy menu button (on the right side of the Envoy). Release the button when the LCD window displays Enable Device Scan. b. Check the power line communications.
Envoy Installation and Operation 8. Wall Mount the Envoy (Optional) NOTE: Before mounting the Envoy, it is best to perform a Communications check, as described on page 22, to find the best location for your Envoy. After you have positioned your Envoy for optimal communications and after it has detected all devices, you can mount the Envoy on a wall. To do this: a. Use two drywall screws or wall anchors (not included) to affix the Envoy to the wall, mounted at the dimensions shown.
Envoy Installation and Operation 9. Build the Virtual Array When the system is energized and the Envoy detects at least one microinverter, create the virtual array in Enlighten from the installation map you created. You can scan and upload the paper copy of the Installation Map, or you can use the ArrayGun feature from the Enphase Installer Toolkit to easily build and configure a system. Refer to http://enphase.com/products/arraygun/ for more information. To build the virtual array manually: a.
Envoy Installation and Operation Envoy Operation First Scan for Microinverters A newly installed Envoy automatically performs an initial scan to discover all of the microinverters that are installed and powered up at the site. This initial scan continues to search for new microinverters for eight hours from initial start up of the Envoy. This one-time scan is not repeated automatically. During the scan, you will notice some values increasing on the Envoy display.
Envoy Installation and Operation LCD Screen Display at Initial Start Up When the Envoy starts up for the first time, it goes through the initial boot sequence. During this initial boot sequence, the Envoy LCD screen displays startup progress as shown: [e] Enphase Energy Booting [||||||] Initializing Data 2013/05/30 16:21:20 Initial Communications Check The last two screens in the initial sequence alternate until the Communications Check ends, after 20 minutes.
Envoy Installation and Operation Normal Operation Once the Envoy completes a scan, normal operation begins or resumes. At this point, the indicators in the LCD screen show current values for your system. This is the home screen: 192.168.2.140 +Web 2407W 783kWh 25 It may be a few minutes before energy data appears or increases on the home screen after starting up the Envoy or initiating a scan. Information shown during normal operation includes: Local IP address, for example: 192.168.2.
Envoy Installation and Operation 3. To select a menu item, release the Menu button when the desired menu item appears. The menu continues to cycle as long as you are pressing the Menu button. The Exit Menu option returns to the normal (default) display, usually the Home screen. See the following sections for detailed procedures.
Envoy Installation and Operation Initiating a Scan for New Microinverters If you add additional microinverters to an existing system or replace a microinverter, you must run a scan to detect the new devices. To initiate a scan after you add new microinverters to an existing Enphase system, perform the following steps.
Envoy Installation and Operation To use the Envoy Menu button to initiate a communications check: 1. Press and hold the Menu button on the right side of the Envoy to bring up the Envoy menu on the LCD screen. 2. When the LCD screen displays “Enable Communication Check”, release the Menu button.
Envoy Installation and Operation Viewing the Grid Configuration To view the grid configuration (trip points profile) for the site, do the following. NOTE: You cannot change the grid profile using this menu. To change this profile, and for more information on grid profiles, see “Set or Change the Grid Profile” on page 41. 1. Press and hold the Envoy Menu button. After two seconds the Envoy menu appears. 2. Continue holding the Menu button.
Envoy Installation and Operation (n)are propagating with (local spec) Number of microinverters that are in the process of being set and the name of the specification being used. (n)devices have failed Number of devices that failed to be set with a grid profile. Checking grid config Select to exit Updating grid configuration data. Getting a New IP Address The Get New IP Address menu item makes the Envoy request a new IP address from the broadband router. To get a new IP address: 1.
Envoy Installation and Operation Enabling a Connection to Enphase The Enable Connection to Enphase menu item creates a secure connection to Enphase allowing Enphase personnel to troubleshoot the system remotely. To open a connection to Enphase: 1. Press and hold the Envoy Menu button. After two seconds the Envoy menu appears. 2. Continue holding the Menu button. When the LCD screen displays “Enable Connection to Enphase”, release the Menu button.
Envoy Installation and Operation Viewing the Envoy Serial Number The View Serial Number menu item displays the serial number of the Envoy. To view the serial number: 1. Press and hold the Envoy Menu button. After two seconds the Envoy menu appears. 2. Continue holding the Menu button. When the LCD screen displays “View Serial Number”, release the Menu button.
Envoy Installation and Operation How the Envoy Works with Enlighten The Envoy operates between the Enphase Microinverters and the Enphase Enlighten web-based monitoring software. The Envoy collects energy and performance data from the microinverters and forwards that data to Enlighten, via the Internet, for reporting. Once you have registered the system and successfully installed the Envoy, Enlighten will set up an account for the site owner.
Envoy Installation and Operation Troubleshooting The following sections describe possible problems and solutions. For information on system status and event messages, see “Event Messages” on page 54. For more extensive information, refer to the Installer’s Guide to Troubleshooting an Enphase Installation at http://www.enphase.com/support. WARNING: Do not attempt to repair the Enphase Envoy; it contains no user-serviceable parts. Tampering with or opening the Envoy will void the warranty.
Envoy Installation and Operation Issue: Envoy Displays Fewer than Three Bars Follow the previous procedure for “Issue: The Microinverter Count is Lower than the Number of Installed Units”. Issue: Envoy Displays Zero Bars The following conditions may exist. Has a device scan been run while the array was active? The Envoy may have run a device scan on power-up when the array was not connected to the grid or when the array was not powered by sunlight. Run another scan during daylight hours.
Envoy Installation and Operation Network Basics and Troubleshooting To the Local Area Network (LAN), the Envoy is just another host on the network, much like a personal computer. Enphase offers technical support at support@enphaseenergy.com for Envoy issues, but Enphase's Support responsibility does not extend to the premises network or LAN. The Envoy must obtain a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) IP address and have a route to the Internet.
Envoy Installation and Operation Issue: LCD Screen Displays “Envoy Failure +Web or -Web” This message displays after the Envoy has tried unsuccessfully three times to initialize. Unplug the Envoy from the AC outlet and plug it in once again. Leave it in place for at least 15 minutes. If it continues to display “Envoy Failure” or if it never moves beyond the Initialization stage, contact Enphase Customer Support (support@enphaseenergy.com).
Envoy Installation and Operation d. Enter the default login credentials for the Administration menu are: Username: admin Password: admin e. From the Administration menu, select Wi-Fi Configuration. This menu option is available only when the wireless adapter is installed in a USB port on the Envoy. f. The interface displays a list of available networks. g. Click a network to select it, enter the password, and click Test Connection.
Envoy Installation and Operation Issue: Internet Traffic is Slower After Installing a Bridge A power line communication bridge can establish communication with a bridge in a neighboring home or business. This condition is called bridge crosstalk and it can affect your volume of Internet traffic. To see if an Internet traffic slowdown problem is caused by crosstalk, disconnect the bridge from the router.
Envoy Installation and Operation WARNING: Do not change the Envoy DHCP setting to use a static IP address unless you also reserve the same IP address on the broadband router. See the section on DHCP reservations in the router instructions. Failure to reserve the static IP address on the router will result in duplicate IP addresses and intermittent Internet connection problems with the Envoy. MAC Filtering Check to see if MAC filtering is in use at the site.
Envoy Installation and Operation Replacing an Envoy If problems remain after following the troubleshooting steps above, contact Enphase at support@enphaseenergy.com. If Customer Support authorizes an Envoy replacement (RMA), perform the following steps. 1. Disconnect the Ethernet cable and power cord from the old Envoy. 2. When the replacement Envoy arrives, connect it to the Ethernet cable and power cord. 3. Verify that the new Envoy powers up. The Envoy LCD may display "Upgrading...
Envoy Installation and Operation Envoy Local Interface The Envoy relays data to Enlighten, and connection to the Enphase Enlighten web-based monitoring and analysis software requires an Internet connection. However, if there is no broadband router at the installation site, you can communicate directly with the Envoy using the Ethernet port and a personal computer with a web browser.
Envoy Installation and Operation Home Screen The Home screen provides a system overview and shows the current status of the microinverters that have been identified by this Envoy. From this screen, you can access other screens in the interface. This screen includes information on web connection, microinverter count and various other data.
Envoy Installation and Operation Production Screen To view system energy harvest statistics for your system, click Production from the Envoy home screen to navigate to the Production screen. Inventory Screen To view a listing of the devices in your system, click Inventory from any screen to navigate to the Inventory screen. 39 2014 Enphase Energy Inc.
Envoy Installation and Operation Administration Screen The Administration screen of the Envoy local interface contains several configurable options. Click Administration to access this menu. NOTE: For Envoy performance reasons, Enphase does not recommend giving the Envoy a publicly accessible IP address. However, if you must place the Envoy on a public-facing IP address, Enphase recommends that you change the Administration password to disallow unauthorized modification to your Envoy.
Envoy Installation and Operation Set or Change the Grid Profile Many Enphase Microinverters have field-adjustable voltage and frequency trip points. Trip points are input voltage or frequency values that trigger the microinverters to shut down when the values are exceeded. If local regulations require adjustments to these trip points, or if the grid profile was not set up during registration (see page 11), the installer can set up the system to use an alternate Grid Profile (set of trip points).
Envoy Installation and Operation 3. From the Administration menu, select Device Grid Configuration. If no alternate device grid configuration has been applied, the following Device Grid Configuration screen appears, which indicates that the microinverters are using the factoryinstalled grid profile. This screen allows a licensed solar professional to select and apply the appropriate trip points for the solar installation. 42 2014 Enphase Energy Inc.
Envoy Installation and Operation If an alternate device grid profile has been applied, the following screen appears. 4. Select a Country regulatory specification. 5. Select a Grid profile appropriate for your region. 6. Make note of the Envoy serial number and the authorization number on the screen. You will need this information in the following steps. 7. Click the link to the Enlighten website. (If you do not already have an account, click Enlighten Login at the Enlighten website to register.
Envoy Installation and Operation 9. Enter the Envoy serial number. 10. Enter the authorization number from the Envoy Interface. 11. Click Get Token. Copy this token. 12. Copy the token. 13. Paste or enter the token in the Grid Profile screen. 14. Click Apply Grid Profile. This propagates the settings to the microinverters. 44 2014 Enphase Energy Inc.
Envoy Installation and Operation The Apply Profile screen appears. This screen shows the Grid Profile Status for each microinverter. Initially the status for each unit is shown as un-set, soon followed by a status of "propagating." After approximately 10 minutes, the status is "set." This screen also allows you to generate a report to confirm that the microinverters have been set with an updated grid profile. 15. Click View Device Profile Report. The Device Profile Report screen appears. 16.
Envoy Installation and Operation 17. Use your browser to send this report to your printer or to save it to a file. After printing or saving the file, you can send it to the local regulatory agency to verify the trip point settings. The report will look like the following example. 46 2014 Enphase Energy Inc.
Envoy Installation and Operation 47 2014 Enphase Energy Inc.
Envoy Installation and Operation Clear GFI Tripped Condition This condition occurs only with the M190, D380, M210, M200, M175 and some M215 microinverters. A solid red status LED on the microinverter indicates a ground fault (GFDI) error. The LED will remain red and the fault will continue to be reported by the Envoy until the error has been cleared. If a microinverter registers a GFI Tripped condition, you can attempt to clear this condition through the Envoy Interface.
Envoy Installation and Operation 3. In the clear-gfi box, select set. 4. Click Send Command to complete this task. Clear DC Resistance Low - Power Off Condition This condition occurs only with the M250 Microinverter and some models of the M215 Microinverter. A solid red status LED on the microinverter indicates this condition. The LED will remain red and the fault will continue to be reported by the Envoy until the error has been cleared.
Envoy Installation and Operation NOTE: Do not click or select the box under the column labeled Select. 2. Click on the serial number of the unit showing the “DC Resistance Low - Power Off” condition. The Control Flags screen appears. CAUTION: The other control flags (reboot and cmd-alert) on this screen should be used only when recommended by Enphase. Their functions are: reboot - reboots the inverter cmd-alert - clears a condition flag for a command sent 3.
Envoy Installation and Operation 4. Click Send Command to complete this task. Set Up Device Scan Control The “controlled” device scan differs from other Envoy device scans in that it allows control over the scan period, scanning method, and the number of devices. When first installed, the Envoy initiates an eight-hour scan. This initial scan is the only scan needed for most systems.
Envoy Installation and Operation 2. Enter a Scan Duration in days:hours:minutes (e.g., 0:00:60 to indicate zero days, zero hours, and 60 minutes). The scan duration depends on many factors, such as number of devices to be detected and quality of power line communication. You may want to start with a one-hour scan and increase the duration as needed. 3. Although optional, it is best practice to enter a value for Total Devices. Enter a value in this field.
Envoy Installation and Operation ZigBee Device Configuration Use the ZigBee Device Configuration menu option only if you are also installing an Enphase compatible GE i210+ Revenue Grade Meter (RGM). For complete installation instructions, refer to the Metering and Management Solution Installation and Operation Manual at http://www.enphase.com/support. Set the Time Zone (optional) Ordinarily, the Envoy obtains the time zone setting from Enlighten.
Envoy Installation and Operation Event Messages The following table lists messages that the Envoy local interface displays to indicate various conditions. These messages appear on the computer screen when your computer is connected to the Envoy local interface. Message Shown on Events and Inventory Screens Description AC Frequency Changing Too Fast Recommended Action: No action is required unless the condition persists.
Envoy Installation and Operation Message Shown on Events and Inventory Screens Description Bad Flash Image Recommended Action: Contact Enphase Energy customer support. Description: The microinverter is not producing power due to a software problem. Commanded Reset Recommended Action: No action is required; it will automatically resume normal operation momentarily. Description: The microinverter was reset, either following a successful software download or by user command.
Envoy Installation and Operation Message Shown on Events and Inventory Screens DC Voltage Too High Description Recommended Action: Ask your installer to check that the PV module and microinverter are compatible. It may be that the PV module generates a higher voltage than is recommended for the microinverter. The Enphase M250 and M215 are compatible with most 60-cell modules. The M190 and D380 are compatible with many 60- and 72-cell modules.
Envoy Installation and Operation Message Shown on Events and Inventory Screens GFI Tripped Description Recommended Action: To clear this error using the Envoy interface, follow the directions on page Error! Bookmark not defined.. After being reset, the condition will clear unless the conditions causing the event remain or if the failure is permanent. Description: A microinverter has detected ground fault current greater than one amp on the DC side.
Envoy Installation and Operation Message Shown on Events and Inventory Screens Description Grid Offset Low Recommended Action: No action is required unless the condition persists. Description: The average current to the grid is too low for the configured grid profile. When the microinverter is operating normally, no DC current is injected into the grid. If the DC current is too low (negative), this may indicate an issue with the microinverter.
Envoy Installation and Operation Message Shown on Events and Inventory Screens Microinverter grid configuration failure cleared after xx attempts Description Description: A failed attempt to change the grid profile for the microinverters has cleared. The grid profile was successfully applied. xx = number of attempts Recommended Action: No action is required. Module Sleeping Description: The microinverter is off for the night. Recommended Action: No action is required.
Envoy Installation and Operation Technical Data Communications Interface Power line Enphase proprietary Ethernet 10/100 auto-sensing, auto-negotiation USB (one or two ports, depending on Envoy model) USB 2.0 interface, auto-sensing, auto-negotiation Monitoring capacity Model numbers (SKU) ENV-120-01 and ENV-120-02 can monitor up to 600 Enphase Microinverters. Power Requirements AC outlet 120 VAC, 60 Hz Power consumption 2.5 watts typical, 7 watts maximum Mechanical Data Dimensions (WxHxD) 8.
