The quick verdict. Enphase Energy is a microinverter + battery manufacturer with an installer certification program. Solar Launch is acquisition software for regional installers. They operate at different parts of the residential solar stack and complement each other — many of the most successful regional installers carry EIN certification AND run Solar Launch for acquisition.
Different parts of the stack
- Enphase — manufactures microinverters (IQ8 series current), IQ Battery, and Enlighten monitoring. Runs Enphase Installer Network (EIN) certification.
- Solar Launch — acquisition software for residential installers. Rendered roof postcards + customer portal + CRM + neighbor follow-up.
Enphase provides the inverter + battery technology + installer credentialing. Solar Launch provides the lead-generation + customer-portal workflow. An installer can (and many do) use both.
Why Enphase microinverters are widely chosen
Module-level conversion
Traditional string inverters convert all panels' output through a single inverter, which means shading or soiling on one panel reduces output for the entire string. Microinverters convert at the module level, so shaded panels don't drag the string. On rooflines with chimneys, dormers, or partial canopy shading, microinverter systems typically produce 5-15% more annual kWh than equivalent string-inverter systems.
Per-panel monitoring
Enphase Enlighten shows per-panel production in real time. Failures are isolated to specific panels rather than appearing as system-wide drops. Service callbacks are faster.
Battery integration
Enphase IQ Battery integrates natively with the IQ inverter ecosystem. No third-party DC coupling, no inverter compatibility issues. Battery additions to existing Enphase systems are particularly clean.
Enphase Installer Network credentialing
EIN certification signals to homeowners and financing partners that the installer is trained on Enphase systems. Benefits include:
- Access to Enphase's homeowner referral platform.
- Marketing co-op and brand assets.
- Technical training and recertification.
- Priority support and warranty processing.
The credential is meaningful but doesn't drive volume on its own. EIN-certified installers still need acquisition channels — and Solar Launch fits exactly that role.
The EIN + Solar Launch stack
For a regional installer running this stack:
- Carry Enphase IQ8 microinverter + (optional) IQ Battery on every install. Module-level production + monitoring + battery-readiness.
- Hold EIN certification as a credibility signal for homeowners and financing partners.
- Use Solar Launch for acquisition — mailed solar quotes at $1/postcard with rendered roof + customer portal + 25-year savings.
- Display EIN credential on the customer portal and customer-facing materials.
EIN credentials lift trust on the closing call. Solar Launch fills the top of the funnel with deposit-paid leads. The combination is one of the cleanest regional installer setups in the industry.
What about Enphase's installer referral platform?
Enphase's homeowner-facing Installer Locator generates inbound leads for EIN-certified installers in covered markets. Most installers find these leads supplement but don't replace direct acquisition — referral volume is uneven, lead-to-close conversion varies by market, and the homeowner is comparing 2-3 EIN-certified installers simultaneously.
Direct mailed solar quotes through Solar Launch run $250-$500 CAC with exclusive leads; Enphase referral leads run $200-$800 CAC depending on market with contention. Most established installers run both as complementary channels.
Carry Enphase. Run Solar Launch for acquisition.
Free account, free rendering, $1 per mailed solar quote. EIN credentials displayed on customer portal.
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