My Enphase Solar and Battery rollercoaster story

In August 2024, I took the plunge into solar. I bought panels from Coolblue, and their installers were fantastic — everything was set up in a single day, flawlessly. Smooth, fast, professional.

On December 4th, 2024, I decided to expand and bought my first two Enphase batteries through solar-outlet.nl, who also offered installation. The setup took place on February 12th, 2025. Two guys from a subcontractor, Energreen, came over and left me the feeling this is their first time setting up Enphase batteries.

Soon after they left, I realized something was off. The meters showed nonsense values, and the batteries were charging from the grid instead of the sun and then dumping everything straight back into the grid.

They returned on March 4th to “fix” things by correcting the CT meters. But instead of properly splitting the batteries across phases, both ended up wired to L1.

The Harsh Reality: No Off-Grid Backup

Naively, I thought buying batteries meant I’d automatically get an off-grid backup feature. Turns out you also need a special device: the IQ System Controller. The problem? It wasn’t even available yet in the Dutch market.

On March 6th, I contacted solarconcept.nl, who offered to get me the controller right when it officially launched, plus add a third battery. Perfect! Or so I thought.

They booked me for an installation on June 17th. The evening before: canceled - missing hardware (they wouldn’t say which). A second appointment followed for July 10th, but that was also canceled the same morning. This time I found out they are missing the Enphase cables

Round Two: Back to Komma5

Meanwhile, I had already reconnected with Komma5 on June 12th which I had previously contacted but didn't like their aggressive sales person. I specifically asked whether they use their own installers or subcontractors. They told me confidently - they have their own. Later, I would discover this was a lie.

After solarconcept failed to show up a second time invoking the same issue - no cables in stock, I signed Komma5’s offer on July 10th.

The first scheduled installation was July 29th. Two installers arrived and guess what - they didn't have the cables. Quite amazed both of them that I haven't received the cables via post upfront. They left, promising to reschedule.

The second attempt was August 4th. This time they completed the installation, or so it seemed. Everything looked good until mid-afternoon, when they got stuck trying to initialize the system.

By 5pm they left, saying “It’s an Enphase software problem, they’ll fix it remotely.”

The Result? Worse Than Before

• My two original batteries no longer worked:
  • One got in a BMU Level 2 error (overheated).
  • The other sits idle in standby.
• The new battery works, but only that one charges from solar.
• The IQ System Controller is running, but off-grid backup still doesn’t work.

To top it all off, on the faulty battery I noticed a dent in the casing… and coffee stains. Suddenly I remembered one of the installers told me he accidentally broke one of the two cup of espressos I had just served them. Coincidence? 100%

Weeks later, still no resolution. Installer doesn’t reply. Enphase support hasn’t helped. Finally, someone from Enphase themselves called me to schedule a direct visit on September 2nd.

UPDATE 1:

Enphase engineer came on the 2nd of September and the drama kept on going. He fixed the overheated battery - the software still lingered in a broken state for about 2 weeks afterwards but at least the features looked like working properly afterwards...

He also told me that its not going to work the way that komma5 advertised it - I had a 3 phase electricity in the house and 3 batteries that are 1 single phase connected to an IQ3 System Controller each on a phase. The Komma5 guys advertised 3 phase backup but now Enphase says only 1 phase backup is going to work because the batteries themselves are 1 phase!

And you won't guess what was the only thing connected to the backed up phase - The Oven

UPDATE 2:

I complained to Komma5 and even threatened with consumer protection but I only managed to get a reconfiguration of the consumers per phase.

Finally, now at least it makes more sense - having lights and the fridge on backup ... backed up by 1 battery instead of all 3.

I will never buy Enphase again.