Enphase opens new plant ahead of product launch
It is the largest Enphase facility outside the US.
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Solar power system supplier Enphase Energy is officially opening its new research and development facility in Christchurch today.
Economic Development Minister Stephen Joyce is officiating along with Green MP Gareth Hughes.
The Ministry of Business has facilitated a Callaghan Innovation grant to assist the multinational into its new headquarters in New Zealand – the largest Enphase facility outside its home base in the US.
Enphase New Zealand was established in 2011 as the company’s second largest engineering hub outside of the US to develop and test new energy technology products that have been sold in more than 100 countries.
The company has employed 18 former Eaton engineers to form the basis of its team, hired after that company quit New Zealand in 2012.
New Zealand will be the testing ground for a new solar power system to be launched in a couple of months for homes.
A breakthrough for Enphase is its flagship product called the Enphase Microinverter which can be used in conjunction with batteries.
In New Zealand, power companies have been reluctant to engage with solar power users and take excess power back into the grid
The micro-inverter allows homeowners to retain the power for later use at night.
It converts direct current into alternating current.
Enphase micro-inverters also allow solar panels to operate independently, rather than part of a chain which can be affected if one of them is damaged.
This event is being hosted by Kris Sennesael, chief financial officer; Greg Steele, senior vice president of engineering; Nathan Dunn, managing director, Asia Pacific and Billy McIndoe, New Zealand site lead and hardware engineering manager.
Enphase’s commercial customers in New Zealand include the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which has a 50kW system and The Mussel Pot in Havelock, Marlborough, which has a 10kW system.
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Chris Hutching
Tue, 22 Mar 2016
Tue, 22 Mar 2016
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
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Enphase opens new plant ahead of product launch
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