Enphase Energy announced the availability of the company’s new Cellmodem-M1, which enables Enphase customers to stay connected to their systems remotely without the need for a dedicated local network. The Enphase Cellmodem-M1 is based on the LTE Cat-M1 communications standard.
As part of the Enphase Mobile Connect family, the Cellmodem-M1 uses Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LP-WAN) technology to communicate home energy data from the Enphase Envoy communications gateway over long ranges at very low power. Once connected to an Enphase Envoy-S or IQ Envoy, the Cellmodem-M1 eliminates the need for an on-site internet connection to monitor an Enphase Microinverter System. The new device provides plug-and-play internet of things (IoT) connectivity to the Enphase Enlighten monitoring and service platform for solar systems with up to 60 Enphase microinverters. The Enphase Cellmodem-M1 comes with a five-year pre-paid data plan from AT&T and a five-year equipment warranty.
“The value of the high-fidelity energy monitoring provided by Enphase microinverters increases exponentially when those systems connect to a data network, and we are eager to deploy this new iteration of Enphase cell modems,” said Arno Aghamalian, president and CEO at Solar Optimum in Los Angeles. “Our team serves thousands of customers, and the ability to quickly understand and resolve issues is only possible with an advanced monitoring platform that is always connected. This new IoT cell modem from Enphase will keep our customers informed about their solar systems and allow us to keep taking our customer service to the next level.”
“Our customers get very excited when they learn that the Enphase systems we install on their houses are highly advanced IoT appliances,” said Ross Ulowetz, VP of operations at Alba Energy in Austin. “Just like so many of the connected devices we all have in our houses today, the power of Enphase-based solar systems is truly unleashed once they are connected to the outside world. We use cellular communications products from Enphase to ensure that each of our customers’ systems provides the best experience possible, and we look forward to installing this new IoT communications option from Enphase on all our customers’ systems.”
“Keeping our home energy systems always connected adds significant value for both system owners as well as the installation professionals who maintain and support those systems,” said Jeff McNeil, VP of operations, quality and customer support at Enphase Energy. “Enphase Mobile Connect gives solar professionals greater installation flexibility and ensures reliable system monitoring independent of the Internet service on site. Homeowners also don’t have to worry about updating Wi-Fi settings for the Envoy with this connectivity option, which improves customer experience.”
The Enphase Cellmodem-M1 is pre-configured for data service and becomes activated when connected to the Envoy communications gateway. Enphase Mobile Connect is available in regions where there is adequate (non-roaming) cellular service in the installation area, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Mobile Connect plan is available for systems of more than 60 microinverters for an additional charge. Enphase Mobile Connect modems cannot be transferred to another Envoy after initial installation.
News item from Enphase Energy
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