Enphase Energy, a maker of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, announced that its IQ Meter Collar has been approved for behind-the-meter installation by 80 electric utilities that together serve more than 38 million customers in the US and Canada.
The product has been approved by California’s three large investor-owned utilities and by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), widening access to whole-home backup solutions across the state. Hawaiian Electric has approved the first pilot installations, with full approval expected in the coming months.
No backup subpanel needed
The IQ Meter Collar is a compact microgrid interconnection device that fits behind the electricity meter or into a separate meter socket. It enables whole-home backup and safe disconnection from the grid without moving circuits to a separate backup subpanel or adding consumption current transformers.
One of the core components of the fourth-generation Enphase Energy System, together with the IQ Battery 10C and IQ Combiner 6C, the device reduces equipment count, wiring complexity and installation time. The company says integrated metering and simplified commissioning allow installers to complete more installations per day, and it offers a 15-year limited warranty on the product.
Removing a barrier to battery adoption
Ken Fong, Senior Vice President of Sales at Enphase Energy, said utility approvals are critical to scaling whole-home backup and that, with 80 approvals, the company has removed a significant barrier to battery adoption. Installers in California and Hawaii also said the approvals simplify installations and make it easier to reach more homeowners.
Sources
- Enphase Energy, “Enphase Energy Announces IQ Meter Collar Approval by 80 Utilities in the U.S. and Canada”, press release, 21.09.2026 – investor.enphase.com
Image: Enphase Energy
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