Compare like with like. Aligned scores, specifications and local evidence within one scoring class or tier.
Market context
Germany purchasing view
KOSTAL | PLENTICORE S/M/L G3 with nine activated output states from 4.0 to 20.0 kW; scored PLENTICORE L G3 20.0
63/ 100
Strong evidence coverage · 100%
Evidence checked 2026-09-01
Available in Germany · checked 2026-08-16
Buyer evidence: Ready (100% direct coverage).
Full scorecardEnphase | IQ9N-A-INT; 427 VA exact Australian model
63/ 100
Strong evidence coverage · 100%
Evidence checked 2026-08-30
Available in Germany · checked 2026-08-30
Buyer evidence: Ready (100% direct coverage).
marks the better value on rows where a higher number is better. Temperature coefficient counts as higher when it is closer to zero. Size measures such as rated power carry no marker, because a larger product is a different choice rather than a better one.
| Measure | PLENTICORE G3 | IQ9N-A Microinverter |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | ||
| Design & Flexibility | ||
| Thermal & Physical Resilience | ||
| Features & Integration | ||
| Safety & Compliance | ||
| Guarantee & Backbone | ||
| Energy Ecosystem |
marks the better value on rows where a higher number is better. Temperature coefficient counts as higher when it is closer to zero. Size measures such as rated power carry no marker, because a larger product is a different choice rather than a better one.
| Measure | PLENTICORE G3 | IQ9N-A Microinverter |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Hybrid inverter | Microinverter |
| Published rated AC power range | 4–20 kW | 0.427 kW |
| Scored benchmark | 20 kW | Not stated |
| Power | 20 kW | 0.427 kW |
| Type | Hybrid | Micro |
| Peak eff | 98.21 % | Not recorded |
| MPPTs | 3 (better value on this row) | 1 |
| Evidence | PLENTICORE G3 | IQ9N-A Microinverter |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Available in Germany | Available in Germany |
| Checked | 2026-08-16 | 2026-08-30 |
| Certifications | All nine activated output states have current July 2026 ZEREZ identifiers under VDE-AR-N 4105:2018-11. | The German store page names SKU IQ9N-A-INT and 427 VA. The IQ9N-A-INT sheet lists EN IEC 62109-1/-2 safety and CE labelling. |
| Warranty scope | Germany; conditional ten years after registration. Service and freight narrow materially after year five. | Germany; the 30 September 2025 German microinverter schedule explicitly lists IQ9N-A-INT for a 25-year product term from activation. |
| Warranty remedy | KOSTAL supplies an exchange unit or repair/material remedy under the applicable five-year phase. | Enphase may repair, replace or provide a depreciated market-value refund. |
| Labour and reinstallation | An installer allowance may apply in years one through five; full-term owner-selected labour is not promised. Full-term removal and reinstallation are not unconditionally covered. | Uninstall, reinstall and ordinary site labour are not limited-warranty entitlements. Removal and reinstallation are excluded from the limited warranty. |
| Freight | Return freight is included in years one through five and excluded in years six through ten. | Eligible RMA return freight uses Enphase's prepaid label. Enphase pays shipment of the repaired or replacement product after an accepted claim. |
| Transfer and registration | An unrestricted transfer right was not established. Registration and portal conditions apply to the ten-year combined term. | Same-site transfer requires the owner-change form and fee within 30 days. Covered SKUs must match the German schedule. Continuous internet connectivity is required except for interruptions outside the owner's reasonable control. |
| Grid/network approval evidence | Current German three-phase family across S, M and L hardware. Activated power state and hardware class remain separate configuration facts. | The reviewed IQ9N-A-INT sheet prints grid compliance as AS/NZS 4777.2 and does not print VDE-AR-N 4105. German connection approval remains installation-specific. |
| Local product pathway | No separate local pathway recorded | No separate local pathway recorded |
| Buyer evidence | Ready (100% direct coverage): Local availability, buyer evidence, and the publication threshold are confirmed. | Ready (100% direct coverage): Local availability, buyer evidence, and the publication threshold are confirmed. |
| Safety notice | No model-specific notice recorded | No model-specific notice recorded |
| Review note | Keep separate from PLENTICORE plus G2, MP G3 and BI G3. Power extensions and battery-input activation are paid configuration states. | Enphase's German store lists IQ9N-A-INT. IQ9N-A-DOM-US is a different SKU and is not this record. The INT sheet remains the specification source; distributor stock is not inferred. |
| Sources | Source 1Source 2Source 3Source 4 | Source 1Source 2Source 3Source 4 |
A score lead is only meaningful inside this shared class or tier. Weigh it against the specification and evidence rows above before deciding.
Both products are scored in the Inverter class, on the same rubric weighting. Scores are not comparable across classes or tiers. Full methodology.