Homeowner Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ provided below is intended as a support resource for homeowners and non-professional DIY installers. If you are a professional installer, please click here to visit the Installer FAQ.

You can also review our DIY installer policy here.

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLERS CLICK HERE

General

Yes. For reasons of homeowner safety and proper system installation, APsystems requires installation by a professional solar installer. These installers are aware of safety requirements, codes and standards, are licensed and bonded to work on electrical systems and roofs, and are trained to use APsystems equipment. Even if you’re savvy with electrical equipment, electrical code issues, if improperly addressed, could result in serious damage to person or property.
APsystems’ policy requires professional installation in order to set up an EMA monitoring account, and to service or troubleshoot the system. See our policy on DIY installations here.

Contact your original solar installer. They can help resolve your issue, whether it is a log-in problem, a production issue or hardware. They are licensed and certified for troubleshooting and, if needed, replacing our product. If they need additional support they will contact us. If your solar installer is no longer available, we can refer you to an experienced installer in your area.

Your system settings are defined as per grid and code requirements and should only be changed in rare circumstances. For example, if your system is located in an area where the grid performance is unstable, the parameters can be adjusted to tolerate the grid’s instability. If you experience such issues with the grid in your area, please contact your solar installer. They have the ability to adjust the necessary parameters of your system.

No. APsystems sells exclusively through a network of authorized distributors who sell to professional solar installers.

You will need to contact a professional solar installer to troubleshoot your system. They will work with us to determine the cause and fix the issue and, if needed, replace any defective units. Often times, troubleshooting requires electrical work or work on the roof. APsystems requires homeowners to work with a professional solar installer to resolve system issues for reasons of safety and liability.

Upon initial set up of your solar array, your installer will create your account in the EMA and provide you with log-in credentials to view your energy production. Simply download the EMA APP available in the App Store or access the EMA portal online at apsystemsema.com and enter the user name and password provided by your installer.

For every PV system powered by APsystems microinverters, monitoring is available for end-user when the PV system is hooked-up with an ECU (Energy Communication Unit) connected to the internet at home. Using the EMA APP or the EMA web portal, the end-user can monitor the performance of their system on a daily /monthly / yearly basis even when they are not at home.

You will need to contact your solar installer to have your account set up. They have the ability to create and update system owner accounts for their customers. If they are not responsive or no longer in business, contact APsystems technical support in your region.

Yes. If the original system is a current APsystems product, you can simply add on additional microinverters and PV panels to connect to the existing ECU gateway. If the system is not currently released product, or if it is another manufacturer’s product, you can still expand your system with APsystems and our complete solution.

Micros

The UID (Unique IDentifier) or serial number is a unique 12 digit number assigned to all microinverters.

The modules can work with microinverters as long as the voltage and current are not exceeding. Larger power modules will not damage. Normally it is recommend to have DC/AC around 1.3. APsystems provides module compatibility via our online compatibility calculator which can be found by visiting our library.

Contact your installer who can provide all the specs and information on the products used in your solar array. They can and typically do work with the inspectors on your behalf.

To view specifications, visit our library.

Absolutely, APsystems has done HALT testing which includes; damp heat, humidity freeze, salt mist and UV.

Both DS3 series and QT2 series are compliant with local regulations regarding RPC

Yes, APsystems strongly recommends to install a whole-house surge protection device at the dedicated meter box. Please check with you local regulations and your professional installer.

No, APsystems does not offer an off-grid product at this time. All APsystems products comply with IEEE-1547 anti-islanding standard.

APstorage

The Power Conversion System allows the user to use Batteries to power loads in the home. You can also use the Grid or Solar Power to charge the batteries.

It comprises of a APsystems Power Conversion System and Compatible DC Batteries. If you are using the ELS-5K, it will also need a Transformer to provide split-phase output during off-grid.

There will be a separate service panel that the installer will set up that will be backed-up when the grid goes down. The ELS-5K can backup 5kW of power, take a look at what loads are connected on the circuits you with to backup and how much power they consume.

There are three modes: First is Backup Mode – Priority of the system is to keep the battery as full so that when you lose the grid, you will have maximum energy. Second is Self-consumption Mode – Priority of the system is to limit grid-usage, solar power is used to charge the batteries and power loads. When there’s not enough solar, batteries are used to power loads. Third is Advanced Mode – Off-peak hours and Peak hours are scheduled, during off-peak hours batteries are charged, during peak hours batteries are used to power loads.

Yes with the EMA Mobile App.

APsystems does provide our own batteries, but we do work with other battery vendors. This is a compatibility list of batteries we are compatible with. They need to be 40-60V, UL9540a tested, and their BMS is communicated via CAN or RS485.

Yes, your system can be configured as such and make sure you ask your installer on how much solar is available. This is currently only possible with DS3, but we are looking to expand this.

You will connect the PCS to your home’s internet either via WiFi or Ethernet, make sure you have connectivity. It is possible to connect the PCS to the internet via a third-party Cellular Router.

Our solution is AC-coupled, it only needs to be connected to the Grid.

One is energy resiliency, when the Grid goes down you have batteries to backup the circuits on your backup service panel. The second is energy savings: with the proper mode settings, you can configure your system to limit grid usage and use batteries instead.

There are two factors to consider when picking how many batteries you want. One is capacity; more batteries means more kWh, which will give you more time. To estimate your time, divide kWh of capacity by kW of power consumed. Another is how much off-grid solar you can charge, more batteries allows you to have more off-grid solar. Work with your installer on how to compute this.

The PCS is outdoor rated, but it’s best to have a cover to make sure it is protected from the elements. Make sure to read the temperature ratings of all equipment, including the battery you’ve selected and the PCS. The PCS is -13F to 149F, but double check the battery as well. The PCS is installed on the wall and must be done upright.

Check the clearances requirements on the datasheets, the most up-to-date numbers will be on there.

Yes, when the Grid is on, APstorage will work with any AC-coupled inverter. However, when the grid is down, those inverters will stay off. It is possible to configure your system to have off-grid solar with DS3 microinverters, and we are looking to expand this.

The ELS-5K is certified to the most up-to-date UL certifications, in particular UL9540. The APbatteries are LFP batteries, which are the industry-standard of safety for home batteries.

EMA

First visit apsystemsema.com and see if the EMA portal is down for servicing or updating. If you are still unable to log in after 24 hours, contact your installer to help reset / change your user name, email address or your login password.

Visit apsystemsema.com and click the “Lost your password?” link. You will need to know your user name.

Contact your installer to help reset / change your user name, email address or your login password. They have access to create and update system owner accounts.

Fill out the warranty transfer document form here and email it to APsystems support in your region (see your regional APsystems website for local contact info) and one of our support agents will set up EMA access for the new homeowner.

No, nothing is wrong with your inverter. The power output of the module is typically +/- 10% from module to module. In addition, the ECU gateway ‘polls’, or asks, the inverters for their power production every five minutes one-by-one, and the polling time may differ by a few minutes per solar panel so variations will happen from time-to-time.

The APsystems ECU gateway collects a snapshot of data from each microinverter on the DC side every five minutes during operation and was not designed to be a highly accurate revenue-grade meter (RGM). The utility company utilizes a revenue grade meter which constantly measures power production on the AC side and as such collects data in real-time. The EMA is intended to demonstrate power production, not record revenue grade data. The energy production numbers shown in the EMA are an estimate based on these infrequent intervals and will often be different than those shown in your utility bill for reasons of monitoring frequency, accuracy and what’s being measured (AC vs DC).

In case of one or more panels is showing NC, a few checks can be done: 1. Make sure the ECU has connected to the power; 2. Make sure the UID of microinverters have been entered to the ECU correctly; 3. Wait for enough time. It takes around 10 minutes. when there are more microinverters, it takes more than 30 minutes; 4. Make sure the light on the microinvertr is green; 5. Make sure the ECU is close to Microinverters. If all of the above doesn’t work, please contact our customer support team.

Verify that the AC breakers are in the on position, and power is connected all the way to the end of each branch circuit and that panels are clean. We do not recommend homeowners do electrical work or climb up onto the roof. We highly recommend you contact a professional solar installer to troubleshoot and repair any issues with your system.

Yes, the login information is the same.

ECU

The UID or serial number is located on the back or side of the device and is a 12 digit number starting with ‘2’.

Step 1: Switch on the ECU

Step 2: Press the AP button on the ECU

Step 3: Scan the QR code below to download EMA manager if not already done

Step 4: Open EMA manager，click “Local Access” at the bottom right

Step 5: Link to the ECU WIFI with the ECU ID, input 88888888 to log into the ECU；

Note: If the ECU WIFI cannot be found, please try again. Remember to keep the ECU close to the router. The WIFI name is the same as the first UID on the back of the ECU

Step 6: Go back to EMA manager APP, then Click “Workspace” and click “ECU Network”

Step 7: Choose the available router WIFI to link by wireless

When the connection is successful, both lights on the ECU will be green.

ECU-R serial numbers begin with 216
ECU-C serial numbers begin with 215
ECU-3 serial numbers begin with 203, 204, 213 or 214
See the ECU & Inverter compatibility guide in our library for more information

Please follow these guidelines.

The ECU-R and ECU-C can be connected to the internet via hardwire ethernet cable or Wi-Fi connection. If utilizing the hardwire ethernet cable (the preferred and most reliable method) simply connect the Ethernet port on the ECU-R or ECU-C to an open Ethernet port on your router or switch. If utilizing the built-in Wi-Fi, access the ECU APP and navigate to the Settings tab, WLAN and search for available Wi-Fi, pick your router, enter the password and hit okay. See our YouTube video on the ECU-R for instructions on how to do this. (note: The ECU APP also functions with the ECU-C)

Yes. Please be aware that the warranty depends on consistent internet. The ECU has an offline monitor function (traditionally used by installers) that can be used for customers that do not have internet. The offline monitoring feature can be accessed by holding the AP button on the side of the ECU for approximately two seconds and then releasing, connecting your hand phone via the Wi-Fi (ECU-R_216xxxx) broadcast by the ECU and then opening the EMA Manager APP – navigating to the Data tab to see Real Time Data, Power and Energy. (Note about limited memory – check with installer today). Note: APsystems always recommends that the ECU be connected to the internet (hardline or GSM router) to ensure that the ECU and inverters can be updated to the latest software and firmware for the lifetime of the system.

It can connect to max 75 microinverters. We recommend to connect no more than 80 microinverters for the optimized performanced. Try to position the ECU close to the microinverters and try to avoid obstacles or other electrical equipment.

An ECU-C is an option for zero export, however, it is for commercial three-phase applications only.

Move the screen from direct sunlight, reboot and observe. If that does not fix it, please contact your original solar installer.

The -W or -Web means that the ECU does not have a proper internet connection. You may have an internet outage, or have recently changed your internet ISP, router, or other network settings. Please reboot the ECU, change the cable or check the internet connection. If that does not fix it, please contact your original solar installer.

ECU-R focus on residential installations and ECU-C is for commercial installations.

No, there is no local web access to the ECU-R

APP

The Array APP has been discontinued. To view your energy production, use the EMA App available in the App Store and  Google Play Store .

The ECU APP is a tool for installers to use in the initial set up of your system. The EMA APP is the monitoring tool system owners will use to monitor their energy production on their smart phone. DIY users can first set up the systems using EMA manager APP, and then use EMA APP for the daisy monitoring.

MISC

APsystems offers a:

  • 10 years standard limited product warranty on all micros-inverters. An extension of 15 years can be purchased in USA or Canada.
  • 3 years standard warranty on all ECU (gateway)
  • 1 year warranty on all accessories

Detailed warranty policy can be found by visiting our library.

The acronym UID mean Unique IDentifier, or simply serial number.

Fill out the warranty transfer document here and email it to APsystems support in your region (see your regional APsystems website for local contact info) and one of our support agents will set up EMA access for the new homeowner. If you do not know the new homeowner’s information, fill out your information in the form and provide it to the new owners for them to complete and submit to APsystems.

Typical system sizing does not eliminate your monthly bill, just reduces your consumption from your utility. Please review your consumption month-by-month for the past year and compare your current bill to your historical bill to see consumption reduction.

The APsystems microinverter product you have installed on your roof is what is called a ‘grid-tied’ inverter and needs to sense the grid to produce power. When solar energy is produced, it is described as “use it or lose it” which means it must be immediately consumed by the energy needs of the home or exported to the grid and it cannot be saved for later unless you store it in an energy storage system. If you need power for use when the AC utility power goes out, consider adding energy storage to your home energy portfolio.

Unfortunately, this happens from time-to-time. There are many qualified solar installers in your area, please reach out to them first to help you resolve your issue. We can provide them with the information they need to be successful with our equipment. If you still cannot find a replacement installer in your area, send an email to your local support team and a customer satisfaction agent will respond with certified APsystems installers in your area that will be able to assist you.

APsystems inverters are agnostic and will function perfectly with all AC coupled storage solutions on the market today. You can use our APsystems Storage Solution storage systems.

APsystems’ microinverters are designed to be grid-tied only. APsystems does not support using microinverters in conjunction with a generator on a closed-loop system. The APsystems warranty policy clearly states that microinverters use with a generator are not covered.

The API is only available for certain installers to develop their applications. The API is a REST API and delivers data in JSON format via HTTPS. The API is categorized into two-level data:
• System Details API
• ECU-level Data API

No, the APsystems microinverters are designed to work with todays solar PV modules, not wind turbines.