enphase Envoy Communications Gateway User manual

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
141-00011, Rev 04
Envoy™ Communications Gateway

Envoy Installation and Operation
Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
2
Contact Information
Enphase Energy Inc.
1420 N. McDowell Blvd.
Petaluma, CA 94954
http://www.enphase.com
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
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. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, you are encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance may
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Other Information
For third-party license information, refer to www.enphase.com/licenses.
For Enphase patent information, refer to http://enphase.com/company/patents/.
Product information is subject to change without notice. All trademarks are recognized as the
property of their respective owners.
User documentation is updated frequently; Check the Enphase website
(http://www.enphase.com/support/downloads) for the latest information.
Copyright © 2012 Enphase Energy. All rights reserved.

Envoy Installation and Operation
Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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Table of Contents
Important Information................................................................................................................. 5
Read this First ...........................................................................................................................5
Safety Instructions.....................................................................................................................5
The Enphase Envoy Communications Gateway......................................................................... 7
Other Elements in the Enphase System...................................................................................8
How the Envoy Communications Gateway Works...................................................................8
Envoy Installation....................................................................................................................... 9
Planning and Preparation .........................................................................................................9
System Sizing ........................................................................................................................9
Preinstallation Checks...........................................................................................................9
Installation Flow.......................................................................................................................10
Install the Envoy ......................................................................................................................11
1. Add Serial Number Label to Map ...................................................................................12
2. Register the Envoy ..........................................................................................................12
3. Find a Location for the Envoy .........................................................................................13
4. Connect Ethernet and Power Cables .............................................................................13
5. Connect Power Line Communication Bridges (Optional)..............................................14
6. Check the Envoy’s Progress...........................................................................................15
7. Wall Mount the Envoy (Optional) ....................................................................................16
8. Build the Virtual Array ......................................................................................................17
9. View System Performance in Enlighten..........................................................................17
Envoy Operation.......................................................................................................................18
First Scan for Microinverters ...................................................................................................18
LCD Screen Display at Initial Start Up....................................................................................19
Initial Communications Check ............................................................................................19
Subsequent Start Up...........................................................................................................19
Normal Operation....................................................................................................................20
Using the Envoy LCD Menu....................................................................................................20
Initiating a Scan for New Microinverters .............................................................................22
Performing a Communications Check................................................................................23
Viewing the Grid Configuration ...........................................................................................24
Enabling a Connection to Enphase....................................................................................25
Disabling a Connection to Enphase ...................................................................................26
Selecting a New Locale (Change Language Display) .......................................................26
How the Envoy Works with Enlighten .....................................................................................27
Networking and Firewall Info...............................................................................................28
Using Enlighten to Check Envoy Status .............................................................................28
Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................29
Power Line Communication Troubleshooting........................................................................29
Issue: The Microinverter Count is Lower than the Number of Installed Units ...................29
Issue: Envoy Displays Fewer than Three Bars ...................................................................29
Issue: Envoy Displays Zero Bars ........................................................................................30
Local Area Networking Troubleshooting ................................................................................30
Issue: IP Address Problems................................................................................................30
Issue: LCD Screen Displays “-Web”..................................................................................31
Issue: LCD Screen Displays “Envoy Failure +Web or -Web” ...........................................31

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Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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Issue: The Envoy has Good Signal Strength but is Too Far from the Router ...................31
Replacing an Envoy ................................................................................................................31
Envoy Local Interface................................................................................................................32
Connecting to the Envoy through the Site’s LAN...............................................................32
Directly Connecting to the Envoy without a Broadband Router ........................................32
Home Screen ..........................................................................................................................33
Production Screen...................................................................................................................34
Inventory Screen......................................................................................................................34
Administration Screen.............................................................................................................35
Administration Screen Tasks ..................................................................................................35
Change or View the Grid Profile..........................................................................................36
Clear GFI Tripped Condition ...............................................................................................41
Set Up Device Scan Control ...............................................................................................42
ZigBee Device Configuration ..............................................................................................44
Set the Time Zone (optional)...............................................................................................44
Other Administration Tasks.................................................................................................44
Event Messages......................................................................................................................45
Technical Data..........................................................................................................................54

Envoy Installation and Operation
Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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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.
WARNING! This indicates a situation where failure to follow instructions may be a
safety hazard or cause equipment malfunction. Use extreme caution and follow
instructions carefully.
NOTE: This indicates information that is very important for optimal system operation.
Follow instructions closely.
Safety Instructions
Perform all electrical installations in accordance with all local electrical codes and the
National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70.
Do not attempt to repair the Envoy; it contains no user-serviceable parts. Tampering
with or opening the Envoy will void the warranty. If the Envoy fails, please contact
Enphase Customer Support for assistance ([e-mail]).
Before installing or using the Envoy, please read all instructions and cautionary
markings in the technical description and on the Envoy.

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Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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Envoy Installation and Operation
Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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The Enphase Envoy Communications Gateway
The Envoy is an integral component of the Enphase Energy 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. It then forwards that data to Enlighten, via the Internet,
for statistical reporting.
The three key elements of an Enphase system are the:
•Enphase Microinverter
•Enphase Envoy Communications Gateway
•Enphase Enlighten™ web-based monitoring and analysis software
This integrated system maximizes energy harvest, increases system reliability, and simplifies
design, installation and management. The following diagram shows the Envoy in the system.

Envoy Installation and Operation
Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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Other Elements in the Enphase System
The Enphase Microinverter is a fully integrated device that converts the DC output of the PV
module into electric-utility compliant AC power. In addition to performing the DC to AC conversion,
it maximizes the PV modules' 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.
The Enphase Enlighten web-based monitoring and analysis software analyzes the per-module
data collected by each communicating microinverter. Enlighten automatically detects any shortfall
in energy production, identifies possible causes, and suggests solutions. Enlighten constantly
monitors every Enphase Microinverter connected to the Envoy and is essential for detailed
monitoring and troubleshooting.
How the Envoy Communications Gateway Works
Installation and operation of the Envoy require no specialized equipment or unique computer or
networking expertise. To the Local Area Network (LAN), the Envoy is just another host on the
network, much like a personal computer. The Envoy simply connects to the on-site router for
communications with the Enphase Enlighten monitoring and analysis website. The Envoy
communicates with the individual microinverters using the existing power lines in the residence or
business.
After the Envoy is installed and completes its initial scan, it maintains an internal database of all
known Enphase Microinverters at the site it manages. At regular intervals, the Envoy polls each
microinverter for its energy data. Using the site’s broadband router, the Envoy then forwards that
information to Enlighten. The Envoy also reports any error conditions that affect it or the
microinverters. You can view both energy data and error conditions in Enlighten.
The Envoy incorporates power line and Internet communications functions. As shown in the
following diagram, one side of the Envoy communicates with the microinverters through power
lines at the site. The other side of the Envoy communicates with the Internet using a standard
Ethernet/network cable plugged into your broadband router.

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Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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Envoy Installation
Planning and Preparation
Review the following preinstallation checks and sizing considerations before you install the Envoy.
System Sizing
The Envoy Communications Gateway is capable of servicing 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. Check the
following table for capacity information:
Envoy model
number (SKU)
Number of microinverters
monitored
ENV-120-01
500
IEMU-03 250
NOTE: When multiple Envoys are required at a single site, you must use
specialized Envoys, called Line Communications Filters (LCFs), in place of
traditional Envoys. You cannot add a second traditional Envoy to an existing
system. This is because an LCF provides noise filtration for each communication
domain and prevents cross talk between domains. The LCF also filters electrical
noise from the site loads. Each LCF includes an Envoy within its enclosure and
must be located near the communication domain it serves. For more information,
see the LCF Quick Install Guide at http://www.enphase.com/support/downloads.
Preinstallation Checks
Before installing the Envoy, make sure that the site has a standard AC outlet available near the
load center. Do not use a power strip.
If you plan to use Enlighten web-based monitoring and analysis software, additional requirements are:
•Always-on broadband Internet connection
•Broadband router with spare Ethernet port
•Up-to-date web browser to view Enlighten. Supported browsers are Internet Explorer 8
or higher, Firefox 3.6 or higher, Chrome 5 or higher, and Safari 4 or higher. Enlighten
requires Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher.
Check the Envoy shipping box for the following items:
•Envoy Communications Gateway
•Ethernet cable
•AC power cord
•Power line communication bridges
•Envoy Communications Gateway Installation and Operation Manual
•Envoy Communications Gateway Quick Install Guide

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Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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Installation Flow

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Install the Envoy
To install the Envoy, perform the following steps while referring to the diagram shown.
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 20
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.
WARNING!Do not remove power from the Envoy if the LCD displays:
“Upgrading. . . Do Not Unplug.”

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1. Add Serial Number Label to Map
a. Remove the Envoy’s removable serial number label as shown in the diagram.
b. Attach the serial number label to the microinverter installation map, or make note of it
for registration in the next step.
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 haven’t already started one.
If you have already registered the site, find the system under Installations in Progress,
and register the Envoy serial number in the space provided online.

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3. Find a Location for the Envoy
Enphase recommends that the Envoy be placed as close to the load center as possible. This
ensures that the Envoy receives the strongest possible signal from each microinverter. The Envoy
must be indoors and can be placed on a table or it can be wall mounted. 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.
4. Connect Ethernet and Power Cables
The Envoy needs to obtain a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) IP address and have a
path to the Internet. The Envoy will request a dynamically assigned (DHCP) IP address from the
broadband router during the power-up sequence. Two small green LEDs on the Ethernet port
indicate Internet link and activity. One LED will be solid green, and the other will blink green every
few seconds.
a. Plug the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the Envoy.
b. Plug the other end of the cable into a spare port on the broadband router.
NOTE: Next to the Ethernet port on the Envoy, there are one or two USB ports. You
cannot use these USB ports for a wired or a wireless Ethernet connection. However,
you can use these ports to connect optional devices, such as a wireless
communication device for the Enphase Environ Smart Thermostat or Revenue Grade
Meter (RGM).
c. Plug the AC power cord into the AC input on the Envoy.
d. Plug the other end of the power cord into a dedicated 120VAC outlet (not a power
strip). For best results, the outlet should be near the load center.
WARNING!Do not remove power from the Envoy if the LCD displays:
“Upgrading. . . Do Not Unplug.”
WARNING!Do not plug the Envoy into a power strip, surge protector, or
uninterruptable power supply (UPS).
The surge suppression or filtering from a power strip or other protective device can
substantially diminish communication performance. Also, if possible, do not plug a
power strip into the same outlet that the Envoy is using. The surge suppression or
filtering components of a power strip may still interfere with communications if they are
near the Envoy.

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5. Connect Power Line Communication Bridges (Optional)
If the Envoy needs to be located away from the router, at a distance where an Ethernet cable is not
practical, use the power line communication bridges provided 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. To install the bridges:
WARNING!Do not remove power from the Envoy if the LCD displays:
“Upgrading. . . Do Not Unplug.”
a. Plug one of the bridges into the same AC outlet that the Envoy is using.
b. Connect one end of the Ethernet
cable into the Ethernet port on the
Envoy.
c. Connect the other end of that
Ethernet cable into the bridge.
d. Plug the other bridge into an AC
outlet near the broadband router.
e. Connect one end of a second
Ethernet cable into the second
bridge.
f. Connect the other end of that
Ethernet cable into the broadband
router.
g. Unplug the Envoy from the AC outlet, and then plug the Envoy back in to refresh the IP
address.

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6. Check the Envoy’s Progress
After installing your Envoy, you can check its progress:
a. Check the Internet connection. Look for the “+Web” indication. If it still shows “-Web”
15 minutes after connecting to the broadband router, see “Local Area Networking
Troubleshooting” on page 30.
NOTE: Power production shows as 0W
and 0kWh until the microinverters are
discovered and microinverter monitoring
begins.
b. Check the device count (shown as “25” in
the illustration). An automatic device scan
will begin to detect microinverters.
c. Check the power line communications.
The number of “Level” bars on the Envoy LCD Level/Devices screen should be three or
more. (The illustration shows three bars.) If there are fewer than three bars, see “Power
Line Communication Troubleshooting” on page 29.
d. Soon, the Envoy will display “Priority Scan is Active” on the LCD screen. Check that the
Envoy LCD shows a complete device count after about 30 minutes. If it does not, see
“Power Line Communication Troubleshooting”on page 29.
e. When all microinverters at the site have been discovered, use the Envoy Device Scan
Control menu to stop the device scan:
•Press and hold the Envoy menu button (on the right side of the Envoy).
•Release the button when the LCD window displays Disable Device Scan.
NOTE: For sites with neighboring Enphase systems, a device scan should not be
allowed to run overnight because it may discover neighboring microinverters when they
first power-up in the morning. Always stop the device scan in the afternoon, before
leaving the site.
f. Refer to “LCD Screen Display”on page 19 for more information.
Level: [≡≡≡
]
Devices: 25
192.168.2.140 +Web
0W 0kWh 25

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7. Wall Mount the Envoy (Optional)
NOTE: Before mounting the Envoy, it is best to perform a Communications check, as
described on page 23, to find the best location for your Envoy.
After you have positioned your Envoy for optimal communications and it is has begun to detect
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. You will need two #8 screws (4.17 mm or 0.16 in.
diameter); maximum screw head diameter is 8.9mm (0.35 in.).
b. Slide the Envoy onto the mounting screws, aligning the Envoy screw holes with the
screws as shown.

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Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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8. Build the Virtual Array
When the system is energized and the Envoy detects at least one microinverter, the installer can
create the virtual array in Enlighten from the installation map. To build the virtual array:
a. Log in to Enlighten.
b. Use Array Builder to
create the virtual array in
Enlighten.
c. Use your installation map
as your reference.
To see the Array Builder demo, go to
http://enphase.com/support/videos/.
Once the virtual array is built,
Enlighten displays a graphic
representation of the PV system. It
also shows detailed current and
historical performance information.
9. View System Performance in Enlighten
Once the array is built and the system is activated, the installer and the system owner can log in to
Enlighten to view site data.
If you have not done so already, log in to Enlighten to view system data.
Refer to “How the Envoy Works with Enlighten” on page 27 for more information.

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Copyright 2012 Enphase Energy 141-00011 Rev 04
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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.
NOTE: If the Envoy was not factory built with software release 3.2, the initial scan will
run for seven days. With release 3.2, the initial scan time was reduced from seven days
to eight hours. If the Envoy upgrades to release 3.2 after an initial scan has begun, the
initial scan duration remains at seven days.
NOTE: If the eight-hour scan expires before installation of microinverters is complete, a
new scan must be initiated. To start a new device scan, see page 22 of this manual.
WARNING: Stop the scan once all of the devices are detected (see page 15). For sites
with neighboring Enphase systems, a new device scan should not be allowed to run
overnight because it may discover neighboring microinverters when they first power-up
in the morning.
The Envoy identifies each device by its unique serial number. If a microinverter is added or
replaced at the site, you must initiate a new scan so that the Envoy can discover the new
microinverter. To start a new device scan, see page 22 of this manual.
After the Envoy has detected at least one new device, it automatically enters Priority Scan mode.
The LCD screen displays the following, where “nnnn” represents the number of microinverters
(devices) detected.
When the Envoy does not detect a device during a polling interval (usually 5 minutes), it exits
Priority Scan mode. If, subsequently, the Envoy detects another device, it returns to Priority Scan
mode. It remains in this mode until it again completes an interval where no new devices are
detected.
NOTE: While Priority Scan is active, power production, power line communication level,
and grid profile information screens continue to display on the Envoy LCD screen.
Priority Scan is
Active. Devs: nnnn

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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:
Initial Communications Check
The last two screens in the initial sequence
alternate until the Communications Check ends,
after 20 minutes. The Envoy normally displays
"-Web" for two to three minutes after the first start
up. It then sends the first report to Enlighten.
When Enlighten responds, the Envoy displays
“+Web”.
Subsequent Start Up
After a power outage or Envoy shut down, the Envoy
is ready to work just five minutes after reapplying
power. You will know the Envoy has completed
booting and has started normal operation when it
displays both an IP address and the “+Web” status
indication in the LCD screen. The normal, post
installation boot sequence is similar to the initial start
up, although the “Initializing Data” screen is not
repeated.
[e] Enphase Energy
Booting [||||||]
Starting R3.0.0
2012/06/06 16:21:20
169.254.120.1 -Web
2407W 783kWh 25

Communications check
Searching Devices
192.168.2.140 +Web
2407W 783kWh 25
Level: [≡≡≡
]
Devices: 25
Initializing Data
2012/06/06 16:21:20

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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:
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: 192.168.2.140 (your actual local IP address will be
different). The Envoy attempts to get a dynamically assigned DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol) IP address during power up sequence. The Envoy uses the
DHCP IP address as a path to the Internet. If 169.254.120.1 is shown, the Envoy has
not yet acquired a dynamic IP. Refer to “Troubleshooting” on page 29, if this address
continues to display.
•Web connection indication: +Web. The web status indicates whether the Envoy is
connected to Enlighten.
•Indication of the present power-production, in watts: (n)W (where n is a number)
•Indication of the life time kilowatt hours reported to this Envoy: (n)kWh(where n is a
number)
•Indication of the number of microinverters producing power and reporting to the Envoy:
(n) (where n is a number). At night, the number of microinverters displayed is zero.
After the Envoy establishes an IP address and the web connection, the Envoy periodically contacts
an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server to maintain an accurate local time.
Using the Envoy LCD Menu
Use the Envoy Menu button
located on the right side of
the Envoy to access the
Envoy LCD menu.
1. Press and hold
this button. After
two seconds the
Envoy menu
appears in the
Envoy’s LCD
screen.
192.168.2.140 +Web
2407W 783kWh 25
Menu
Button