SolarEdge vs. Enphase: Which Solar + Battery System Is Right for You?

In the fast-moving world of solar energy, two names dominate the residential market: SolarEdge and Enphase. If you’re a homeowner or business exploring solar and battery storage, chances are your installer has recommended one of these brands—or you’ve seen them come up over and over again in your research. That’s not by accident.

We haven’t tested every battery on the market. There are countless brands—some good, some unproven. But after spending years researching the most viable options in terms of performance, reliability, software, and install partner availability, it’s clear why SolarEdge and Enphase consistently rise to the top. Especially Enphase, which is now one of the most widely adopted solutions in the U.S. residential market.

This article isn’t here to sell you one system or the other. It’s designed to walk you through what makes each platform different—how they handle solar production, battery storage, time-of-use savings, and backup power—so you can make an informed choice.

Quick Company Background

SolarEdge

Founded in 2006, SolarEdge is best known for its DC optimizer + inverter architecture. They introduced a middle ground between traditional string inverters and microinverters, by allowing each panel to be optimized individually while still feeding into a central inverter. Over the years, they’ve expanded into batteries, EV chargers, and smart home energy management tools. Their Home Hub ecosystem is designed to give you control over production, usage, and backup power—assuming all pieces are correctly integrated.

Enphase

Also founded in 2006, Enphase pioneered the microinverter. Instead of relying on a central inverter, each panel has its own inverter that converts DC to AC at the source. This architecture allows for panel-level performance, more design flexibility, and greater fault tolerance. Enphase has built a complete smart energy system—including batteries, monitoring, EV charging, and load control—all designed to work seamlessly together under one app.

System Architecture: Central vs. Distributed

SolarEdge

• Uses DC optimizers at the panel level

• Panels feed into a single central inverter

• Inverter is the heart of the system—if it fails, everything goes offline

• Batteries connect DC-side for higher round-trip efficiency

• Easier to design for larger systems or longer string runs

• More components = more installation planning required

Enphase

• Each panel has its own microinverter

• Converts power at the panel into grid-ready AC

• Completely distributed system—no central point of failure

• Batteries connect AC-side for easier retrofits

• Easier expansion over time (add more panels or batteries when needed)

• Excellent for complicated roofs or shading

Batteries & Storage: 5P vs. Home Battery

Now let’s talk about storage—the biggest leap in residential solar over the last 5 years. Whether you’re looking to store solar for night-time use, avoid Time-of-Use rates, or keep your home running during a blackout, batteries are a game changer.

Enphase IQ Battery 5P (2023)

The 5P is Enphase’s latest battery, and it marks a major upgrade in both power and capability:

• Modular: 5 kWh usable per unit, scalable up to 80 kWh per system

• Peak output: 3.84 kW continuous and 7.68 kW surge per unit (can handle startup loads like ACs)

• Chemistry: LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate), known for safety and longevity

• AC-coupled: Easily added to existing Enphase or third-party systems

• Full integration with IQ8 microinverters and IQ System Controller

• Black Start: System can restart even with a fully depleted battery if there’s sun

• Storm Guard™: Prepares battery for outages using weather data

SolarEdge Home Battery

SolarEdge offers a 9.7 kWh battery designed to integrate directly with their Home Hub Inverter:

• DC-coupled: Reduces conversion losses (no AC/DC switching)

• Peak output: Around 5 kW per battery, scalable by stacking multiple units

• Chemistry: LFP

• Requires Backup Interface and properly paired inverter to work in outage mode

• More efficient than AC-coupled systems—if designed and installed correctly

• Best suited for new systems where everything is designed around SolarEdge

Time-of-Use Optimization (Without Backup)

Not everyone needs backup power. Many homeowners are looking to store solar during the day and use it in the evening when utility rates spike. This is especially common in places like California, where TOU rates have become the norm.

Both Enphase and SolarEdge support self-consumption without backup.

Enphase TOU Setup (No Backup)

• Easy to configure in the Enphase App

• Set charge/discharge times based on your utility plan

• Works with or without a backup gateway

• Highly flexible—you can modify schedules anytime

• Smoothly discharges in the evening to offset peak pricing

SolarEdge TOU Setup (No Backup)

• Requires SolarEdge’s Energy Hub Inverter

• Schedule battery to store during day, discharge at night

• Can be paired with smart relays to control energy-hungry appliances

• Slightly more setup required, but strong automation features available

If TOU is your primary concern (and not outages), both systems can help you avoid high bills—though Enphase is a bit more plug-and-play.

Backup Power: Whole vs. Partial Home

If you’re planning for power outages, this section is key. Both Enphase and SolarEdge support backup power, but the execution is different.

Enphase Backup

• Requires the IQ System Controller 2

• Modular batteries (5P or older IQ 3/10) can support whole or partial home

• IQ8 microinverters can island your home even without batteries

• Full blackout resilience with seamless transitions

• Prioritize circuits during install (e.g., fridge, lights, internet)

SolarEdge Backup

• Requires the Backup Interface

• Supports full or partial backup, depending on battery/inverter capacity

• Black start capability available with battery present

• DC-coupled system has slightly better round-trip efficiency

• Central inverter failure = entire system down (no micro-level resiliency)

If you want redundancy, ease of service, and modular scaling, Enphase has the advantage. If you’re optimizing for efficiency and doing a new build or full-home install, SolarEdge can deliver.

Monitoring & Apps

Enphase App (formerly Enlighten)

• Easy to use, mobile-friendly

• Tracks solar, storage, EV charger, and consumption

• Panel-level data for installers and homeowners

• Real-time alerts and firmware updates

SolarEdge mySolarEdge App

• Offers solar + storage + consumption data

• Forecasting features based on historical production

• Works well with smart home relays

• Centralized view through inverter (data not panel-native)

Both apps are solid, but Enphase tends to be preferred by homeowners who want a clean, simple interface with real-time feedback.

Availability & Compatibility

In our experience across dozens of installs and partners:

• Enphase is currently more available through nearly all of our trusted partners

• SolarEdge is more selective—some partners do not offer full battery integration

• Retrofitting Enphase is easier due to AC-coupling

• SolarEdge is better when doing ground-up design around their ecosystem

This matters not just at install—but years down the line when you want service, upgrades, or replacements.

Final Thoughts

Let’s be honest: both SolarEdge and Enphase make excellent technology. They’re reliable, UL-certified, and built for the future of clean energy. But how they work is very different, and the choice should reflect your energy goals, roof layout, budget, and desired experience.

You might prefer Enphase if:

• You want panel-level independence

• You plan to add batteries or expand later

• You’re in a market with shading or complex roofs

• You want full app control without technician support

• You value long-term modularity and resilience

You might prefer SolarEdge if:

• You have a simple roof and want to optimize cost

• You’re doing a full energy-smart home design from scratch

• You want tighter control over loads via smart relays

• You prioritize inverter-level automation and DC-side efficiency

Still Not Sure?

Let us help you compare real quotes, design layouts, and production forecasts based on your home.

Visit www.reinnovations.org to request a free consultation.

We’ll break it down for you—panel by panel, battery by battery—so you can choose with confidence.