Steve,
First, I am sure you will need Rapid Shutdown for your revamped system so would need MLPE or Microinverters regardless if you expand into shaded areas or not. I install lots of SolarEdge systems and have not had any communication issues except for one customer that has really bad internet service. If you connect a SE inverter using ethernet, and your internet service is good, there should be no problems. If you use the zigbee gateway or rely on the cellular card inside the inverter or have some other wireless 3rd party solution in the mix, your mileage may vary as to the communication stability. You need to have good TCP/IP connectivity to have stable monitoring, but I am sure you know that.
If you did reconsider SolarEdge, it would be an Energy Hub/Home Hub inverter that has built-in revenue grade production meter, import/export meter, and is ready for battery connections and for direct wired EV charger connections. The only battery supported anymore is their own SolarEdge battery, not LGES.
What I like about SolarEdge is it accommodates a nearly endless variety of array configurations. Mix roof surfaces/orientations in a string, not a problem. Also, as long as the installer does everything they are supposed to do, like mapping the optimizers, you know exactly what is going on with the array, down to the panel/optimizer level. SolarEdge support has been slow lately but if installed properly the need for it should be less.
Enphase might be a good alternative for you. Again, the installer needs to map the inverters and install it properly, starting with a good design, proper string lengths, and center-fed wiring.
Another factor in recommending something to you would be what your load center/power distribution system looks like. If you had an older Schneider, was it the XW or XW+? Did you have an external transfer switch? Schneider XW Pro was the last inverter in that family and it was a really rugged inverter.
The SolarEdge uses a Backup Interface as the Microgrid Interconnect Device (MID) and Enphase uses the IQ System Controller. Whatever you do make sure there is a way to bypass the Hybrid Inverter system in case there are issues with it. The SolarEdge BUI has a bypass built-in.
One other popular choice is the Sol-Ark 15K. But for rooftop you are stuck with Tigo optimizers which I am not a big fan of.
If it were me, I would go with SolarEdge or Enphase. And I like REC PV modules. Also, I install grid import/export monitoring with every system, and highly recommend you do so too, so that you get complete insight into your energy usage.
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Ken Nadsady
AviSun Renewable Energy
Hudson OH
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