Joel went solar in June 2025 with 37 Silfab 430-watt panels and Enphase IQ8M micro-inverters on his home in Peoria, part of the greater Phoenix area. In June 2026 he took the next step and added two Tesla Powerwall 3 units with 27 kWh of total capacity. With battery storage in Peoria now part of the system, the clean electricity his roof makes by day can be held for later use.
System size: 15.91 kW
Module type: Silfab 430-watt
Inverter type: Enphase IQ8M Micro-Inverters
Inverter and battery type: 2 Tesla Powerwall 3 (27 kWh total)
What is the best part of living with solar?
Decreasing your electrical bill!
What was your main motivation in wanting to go solar?
Saving money in the long run. Also, the batteries are awesome during a power outage!
What was the most enjoyable part of the go-solar process?
When it got turned on
Adding Powerwall 3 to an Existing Enphase Array
Joel’s panels and micro-inverters were already running when the batteries arrived, so the two Powerwall 3 units were connected alongside the existing solar system. During the day, solar energy the home is not using can charge the batteries, and later the batteries can supply the home. When the grid goes down, the system can keep power flowing, which is the part Joel calls awesome. Our solar battery storage guide explains how it works.
Why Stored Solar Matters on an APS Bill
Joel brought up his electric bill in two of his answers. As an APS customer, his bill depends on how much grid power the home uses and how excess solar is credited when it flows back to the grid. A battery gives the home another option: holding daytime solar energy for use in the evening instead of sending it all out. For background, see our article on the APS solar credit change.
What the IQ8M Micro-Inverters Do
Each of Joel’s 37 panels has its own Enphase IQ8M micro-inverter, which converts that panel’s DC power into the AC power a home uses. Because each panel works on its own, shade or dust on one panel does not drag down the rest of the array, and the system can be monitored panel by panel. Our comparison of micro-inverters and string inverters covers the tradeoffs.
Adding Solar or Storage to Your Home?
Whether you are starting fresh or adding batteries to panels you already have, request a free solar and battery quote and our team will design around your home. You can also explore our residential solar services or read more customer spotlights.
