Enphase presented its latest 3-phase microinverter that features GaN-based switching devices at RE+ 2025
The company says that it can support PV modules of up to 600 W of capacity
According to the company, the microinverter will be manufactured in the US and expected to be commercially available in December 2025
US-based microinverter producer Enphase Energy, Inc., launched its latest product targeted at 3-phase commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop PV installations at RE+ 2025.
The company states that the launch of its new microinverter – IQ9-3P Commercial Microinverter – marks its entry into 480 V 3-phase (480 Y/277 V grid configurations) C&I applications, without using any external transformer. Unlike its standard counterpart, which features silicon-based power electronic switching devices, this new microinverter utilizes gallium nitride (GaN) based devices – a key feature, says the company. GaN features a wider bandgap, resulting in a higher breakdown voltage, which in turn leads to reduced operational power losses in high-voltage applications. Thanks to this characteristic, the displayed microinverter offers faster switching and cooler operation at a conversion efficiency of up to 97.5%. Designed to carry up to 16 A DC and rated for up to 427 VA output power, it can be paired with a PV module of maximum capacity of 600 W. Compared to the standard centralized architecture of rooftop PV installations with long high-voltage DC run through individual PV strings to the inverters, it converts DC to AC at each panel. According to the company, this individual panel-level AC feeding eliminates potential power losses due to current mismatches in PV strings under localized shading from commercial rooftop obstructions and uneven roof conditions.
This microinverter can be used for C&I rooftop PV plants of under 100 kW capacity or a large system with a capacity of hundreds of kW. The company states that its panel-level design allows capacity expansion without any redesign, unlike rooftop PV plants featuring string inverters.
It also features a module-level rapid shutdown function to mitigate potential fire incidents. It 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. The company offers its communication and control hub, called IQ Gateway Commercial Pro, for single-point communication and the capability to control up to 276 microinverters at once. The operation & 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, slated for manufacture in the US, is expected to be commercially available in December 2025. According to Enphase, its domestic content can help solar developers to 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 are expected 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).
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