Enphase IQ8AC-72-M-INT360VA single-phase microinverter for one PV module

Overview

The IQ8AC-72-M-INT is the mid-power model of Enphase's EMEA IQ8 Series, rated 360VA (366W peak AC) with a 28–45V MPP range and up to 530W of DC input. It accepts 54- to 72-cell and equivalent half-cell modules and leaves room for one more unit per branch than the IQ8HC: 10 on a 20A single-phase circuit and 30 on three-phase. It suits arrays where moderately sized modules or many units per circuit matter more than peak output.

• One MPPT per module, 18–60V DC input window
• Integrated Stäubli MC4 inputs, IQ Cable plug-in AC wiring
• IP67 Class II enclosure, natural cooling, -40…+65°C
• EU grid codes with IQ Relay, including VDE-AR-N 4105
• Up to 25-year warranty with internet-connected IQ Gateway
• Can be added to existing IQ7 systems, with conditions

How it works

Each IQ8 unit is fixed to the racking under one PV module and tracks that module's maximum power point on its own, so shade, soiling or a different orientation on one panel does not pull down the rest of the array. The DC circuit never exceeds the voltage of a single module (60V maximum), which keeps high-voltage DC strings off the roof. Conversion uses an isolated high-frequency transformer stage, and every unit reports over power line communication.

Each microinverter feeds 230V at 50Hz between one line and neutral. On a 400V three-phase supply the multi-phase IQ Cable rotates L1, L2 and L3 internally, so consecutive units land on different phases and the installed capacity is spread evenly across them.

Key features

The three EMEA versions share a 212×175×30.2mm housing weighing 1.1kg and differ in output: IQ8MC 325VA, IQ8AC 360VA and IQ8HC 380VA. Enphase sets no fixed DC/AC ratio. A module can be paired if its open-circuit voltage at the coldest site temperature stays under 60V and its short-circuit current does not exceed 20A, which is the 25A input limit with the 1.25 safety factor of IEC 62548.

The double-insulated enclosure carries integrated ground-fault protection, is rated IP67 and is cooled by natural convection. Advanced grid functions include power export limiting, phase imbalance management, loss-of-phase detection and Q(U) or cos φ(P) control; some of them require an IQ Gateway Metered with current transformers or an IQ Relay.

Installation and compatibility

A 20A AC branch takes up to 10 IQ8AC or 9 IQ8HC units on single-phase, or 30 and 27 on three-phase; local rules on breaker sizing take precedence. Each IQ Cable section should carry no more than 8 units single-phase or 18 three-phase, and centre-feeding is recommended to keep voltage rise below 2%. Plan for IQ Cable, IQ Terminators at the cable ends, sealing caps on unused connectors and an IQ Gateway.

Mount the unit under the module, shielded from direct rain and sun, with at least 19mm to the roof and 13mm to the module back; vertical mounting needs 300mm from the module edges. Fasteners are tightened to 5Nm (6mm hardware) or 9Nm (8mm hardware). The listed EU grid codes apply together with an IQ Relay; the Italian CEI 0-21 declaration requires IQ-RELAY-2-3P-ITA or Q-RELAY-2-3P-ITA plus an IQ Gateway.

Monitoring and settings

Production data and settings run through the IQ Gateway, which needs an internet connection and is the only tool for setting or changing the grid profile. Some units do not export until the gateway has detected every microinverter and propagated the profile, and full output can take 20–30 minutes after first switch-on. Installers commission with the Enphase Installer App and owners follow the system in the Enphase App.

Questions and answers