Enphase Energy and Q CELLS partner to develop Modules that enable installers to be more competitive

California — Enphase Energy and Q CELLS announced a strategic partnership to develop Enphase Energized™ Q CELLS AC Modules (ACMs) based on seventh-generation Enphase IQ™ microinverters. The first Enphase and Q CELLS-developed ACMs will be available from major distributors in the U.S. starting July 15th.

The Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+/AC 340-345 ACM features the Enphase IQ 7+™ microinverter and is the first Enphase Energized ACM from Q CELLS to come to market. The Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+/AC produces outstanding yields thanks to power classes of up to 345 Wp and efficiencies of up to 19.5%.

These performance values are possible through Q CELLS’ unrivalled Q.ANTUM DUO monocrystalline half-cell technology, combined with state-of-the-art circuitry and 6-busbar cell design. The Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+/AC also offers long-term reliability with a 25-year product warranty and one of the lowest degradation rates in the industry, which guarantees 85% initial performance in the 25th year.

The Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+/AC Enphase Energized ACM allows installers to be more competitive through improved capital management, reduced labor costs, improved SKU management with accelerated design, and faster installation times. The Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+/AC modules are assembled in the USA at Q CELLS’ manufacturing facility in Dalton, GA.

“Enphase was the right partner for Q CELLS to develop an AC module for the high-volume residential solar market because both companies are aligned in providing customers with the highest quality and most reliable solar technology,” said Hee Cheul (Charles) Kim, chief executive officer of Q CELLS. “Our shared customers will benefit from faster installations and reduced operating costs enabled by the AC modules, and we look forward to a long and successful collaboration with Enphase.”

The seventh-generation Enphase IQ microinverter system dramatically simplifies solar installations and provides a complete AC solution that produces no high-voltage DC, providing a safe solar solution for homeowners. Enphase Energized AC modules from Q CELLS work seamlessly with the full suite of Enphase IQ accessory products: the lighter two-wire Enphase Q Cable™, the Enphase IQ™ Combiner 3 with pre-installed Enphase IQ Envoy™ gateway, as well as the Enphase Encharge™ energy storage system. Solar installers who select the Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+/AC can monitor their solar fleets remotely using the powerful cloud-based Enphase Enlighten™ monitoring system, provide their customers the peace-of-mind of a 25-year module warranty, and rely on the Enphase support team to deliver an outstanding customer experience.

“I have great confidence in the quality and reliability of the products from both Q CELLS and Enphase, so this new ACM is certain to be a rock-solid combination,” said Dewaine Dennis Sr., founder and co-owner at Quantum Solar Designs. “This new Q CELLS AC Module fills an important gap in the mid-market and represents a great way to deliver value to both installers and homeowners. We are excited about offering Q CELLS AC modules to our customers.”

“Q CELLS is a global PV technology leader known for its high-quality photovoltaic solar cells and modules, and this AC module partnership is yet another validation of the ACM concept and Enphase’s microinverter technology,” said Badri Kothandaraman, chief executive officer at Enphase Energy. “This ACM partnership harnesses the strengths of both companies to offer a high quality, easy-to-use solution for the high-volume residential market.”

Q CELLS AC Modules based on Enphase IQ™ microinverters meet all necessary regulatory requirements set by individual states and the National Electrical Code (NEC) and are certified compliant with NEC 2014 and 2017 rapid shutdown requirements. Unlike string inverters, Enphase IQ microinverters have rapid shutdown built in, with no additional equipment necessary. Enphase IQ microinverters also comply with requirements for distributed solar on utility networks included in Rule 21 in California and Hawaiian Electric Company Rule 14H, such as power factor, voltage and frequency ride-through requirements.