Solar panels and battery - any real world reccomendations?

BUDFORCE · 15 Jul 2022 at 18:00

Ron-ski said:
Well at least thats a quick fix, unless it does it again.

Yea bit concerned as to why it's done that.

Edit: flipped the circuit breaker, the meter downstairs fired up but the inverter is dead as a dodo.

Journey · 15 Jul 2022 at 18:06

BUDFORCE said:
Yea bit concerned as to why it's done that.

Edit: flipped the circuit breaker, the meter downstairs fired up but the inverter is dead as a dodo.

Could be a short on the wiring to the inverter on the DC side of things, or the inverter is as you put it is dead as a dodo. Maybe they badly wired something, or maybe it is just early life failure a chance you get with all electrical equipment.

BUDFORCE · 15 Jul 2022 at 18:09

Thanks for your help I've gone back to the installer.

Journey · 15 Jul 2022 at 18:25

BUDFORCE said:
Thanks for your help I've gone back to the installer.

Let's hope they get it sorted ASAP. Would have been ideal to have it working Monday and Tuesday to prove out the heat issue, but maybe it was already faulty.

Hawk Tuah · 15 Jul 2022 at 18:42

Hmm, that's not good. Doubt it's a coincidence that it blew while the sun's at its strongest.

Harbz · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:00

Generally how reliable is a solar install? Is the inverter likely to fail before the solar panels / optimisers?

rodders · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:03

Harbz said:
Generally how reliable is a solar install? Is the inverter likely to fail before the solar panels / optimisers?

I've just lost a panel or 2, or the tigo boxes behind, installed 2017.
But this is my luck......

TNA · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:06

rodders said:
I've just lost a panel or 2, or the tigo boxes behind, installed 2017.
But this is my luck......

Warranty?

Ron-ski · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:08

Inverters, optimisers, and micro inverters are all likely to fail before the panels do.

How long do residential solar inverters last?

Multiple factors affect the productive lifespans of residential solar inverters. In the second part of our new series on resiliency, we look at PV inverters.

www.pv-magazine.com

Just opened my loft hatch to try and get some air circulation up there, or my inverter will be cooking next week.

rodders · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:13

TNA said:
Warranty?

Trying too, company is being quite quiet. Not surprised.....
Though as over 12months, eventhough parts have warranty, I'll prob have to pay for dismantling and reinstall.

Ron-ski · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:14

@rodders Check your install paperwork, you may have parts and labour covered.

TNA · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:15

rodders said:
Trying too, company is being quite quiet. Not surprised.....
Though as over 12months, eventhough parts have warranty, I'll prob have to pay for dismantling and reinstall.

Keep us posted. Which company? This is why I am hesitant on using these new pop up companies. They only care when taking your money.

rodders · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:16

It looks like they charge £250 to come out, but I'll see what they say.

rodders · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:20

TNA said:
Keep us posted. Which company? This is why I am hesitant on using these new pop up companies. They only care when taking your money.

Project solar UK, stay well away. I was stupid to use them, but it was close to the last FiT payment closure date, so I rushed it, silly boy I am.
TBH I don't want them round, but if it saves me money....the install lads weren't actually too bad, just everything else was!

Edit - my inverter is Solax, which I understand is a good brand.

Harbz · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:24

rodders said:
Project solar UK, stay well away. I was stupid to use them, but it was close to the last FiT payment closure date, so I rushed it, silly boy I am.
TBH I don't want them round, but if it saves me money....the install lads weren't actually too bad, just everything else was!

Edit - my inverter is Solax, which I understand is a good brand.

Thats a coincidence, I just finished watching this video and saw your post. This guy had same problem with Project Solar UK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Lecq_ZW9Q

TNA · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:28

rodders said:
Project solar UK, stay well away. I was stupid to use them, but it was close to the last FiT payment closure date, so I rushed it, silly boy I am.
TBH I don't want them round, but if it saves me money....the install lads weren't actually too bad, just everything else was!

Edit - my inverter is Solax, which I understand is a good brand.

Just had a look at their website. They do not seem like one of the tiny new companies that popped up at first glance. Surely they should come sort it out under warranty. I mean surely there should not be any charge for sorting it out under warranty, otherwise the warranty is a bit useless, unless I am missing something.

rodders · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:28

Everyone has a problem with them lol, so I'd imagine.

rodders · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:34

TNA said:
Just had a look at their website. They do not seem like one of the tiny new companies that popped up at first glance. Surely they should come sort it out under warranty. I mean surely there should not be any charge for sorting it out under warranty, otherwise the warranty is a bit useless, unless I am missing something.

Parts have long warranties, panels for life, tigo boxes 25years. But Tigo only cover shipping and repair at factory, so it needs to come down somehow. Im quite sure Projectsolar will charge to remove, unless it's in 12months.
I'll chase them Monday.

TNA · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:37

rodders said:
Parts have long warranties, panels for life, tigo boxes 25years. But Tigo only cover shipping and repair at factory, so it needs to come down somehow. Im quite sure Projectsolar will charge to remove, unless it's in 12months.
I'll chase them Monday.

Cool, keep us posted.

Journey · 15 Jul 2022 at 21:48

rodders said:
Im quite sure Projectsolar will charge to remove, unless it's in 12months.

Depends if they offered a workmanship warranty, and if that has had ant effect towards the failure, not that they'd likely admit if it did.