Enphase’s Latest Domestic Content & FEOC Compliant C&I Microinverter

US-based microinverter producer Enphase Energy, Inc., has upgraded its IQ9-3P Commercial Microinverter and opened pre-orders in the US. 

Aimed at commercial & industrial (C&I) on-grid PV installations, the microinverter is designed for 480 V 3-phase grid (480 Y/277 V) without an external transformer. Unlike its conventional alternative, which features silicon-based power electronic switching devices, it utilizes gallium nitride (GaN) based devices – a key feature, says the company. In terms of basic characteristics, GaN has a wider bandgap, resulting in a higher breakdown voltage and, in turn, reduced operational power losses in high-voltage applications. Therefore, the displayed microinverter offers faster switching and cooler operation at a conversion efficiency of up to 97.5%, claims Enphase. 

Compared to its predecessor, the new IQ9-3P has a designed maximum DC output of up to 18 A (8 A higher) and an AC output of up to 548 VA. It can be mounted on a PV module with a maximum capacity of 770 W, up from 600 W previously. In contrast to the standard centralized rooftop PV architecture with long DC cable runs through individual PV strings to the inverters, it converts DC to AC at the individual panel level. This individual panel-level power supply reduces power losses due to current mismatches in PV strings under localized shading from rooftop obstructions and uneven roof conditions. The company adds that this panel-level design allows capacity expansion without any redesign, unlike rooftop PV plants featuring string inverters. 

On the safety front, it features a module-level shutdown function that rapidly isolates the faulty module, mitigating the risk of fire caused by arc formation. It also has a voltage or frequency ride-through feature for uninterrupted operation during grid fluctuations and loss-of-phase detection for grid safety and system reliability. For device-to-device communication and control, Enphase offers its gateway, called IQ Gateway Commercial Pro. It facilitates single-point communication and can control up to 276 microinverters at once. The operations & maintenance (O&M) personnel, who monitor each panel via the company’s software, Enphase App, can quickly detect and remove single points of failure.  

This product is backed by a limited warranty of up to 25 years.  

The company has started accepting pre-orders for this US-made product, with commercial shipment expected to begin in June 2026. According to Enphase, its domestic content can help US solar developers meet 10% bonus tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Under the IRA 2022, solar developers and installers that source domestic components can receive up to a 10% bonus, on top of a 30% investment tax credit (ITC) or production tax credit (PTC) when completing projects. However, following the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025, which prematurely ends the ITC and PTC, several developers need to rush to start their projects within 12 months from the enactment date to avail the credits (see OBBB On President Trump’s Desk After Final House Passage). In addition, the latest microinverter is designed to be ‘FEOC compliant’ (Foreign Entity of Concern), further helping in getting clean energy tax credits (see US Treasury Tightens Clean Energy Tax Credit Eligibility Under FEOC Guidance).