You can’t ‘go green’ without them, but once you’re all set up with your new photovoltaic solar panels, you’ll be making clean, free energy for years upon years. But how many years, precisely? How long do solar panels last when mounted on roofs in the harsh conditions here in sunny, rainy & stormy Queensland?
Let’s face it, getting solar panels is a big investment – we’re talking thousands upon thousands of dollars, even when factoring in those rebates and incentives. The lifespan of solar panels, therefore, makes a huge difference when calculating just how long that price-tag will take to claw back in energy savings.
It’s an important question, and we at Solar Repair Service have broken down all the most common answers asked by people just like you:
1. How long do solar panels last in Australia?
Let’s get straight down to business: in terms of an average solar panel lifespan here in Queensland and Australia more broadly, you’re looking at a degradation rate of something between 0.5 and 1.5% per year. In real terms, you’re therefore looking at a couple of decades at least, and probably 30 years in the real world.
Get an experienced, reputable and fully-licensed installer to put the solar system in for you
Watch out for the common signs of accelerated degradation & problems.
2. What factors affect the lifespan of solar panels?
Longevity alone isn’t everything, because your solar panel setup also needs to perform reliably and at optimal efficiency to get all the cost-saving benefits. And it’s the harsh Queensland conditions that can hurt your panels the most:
Humidity: Queensland’s infamous humidity increases your panels’ chances of being affected by moisture that finds its way in. The good news is that the latest generation of solar panels sold on the Australian market are better at dealing with high humidity.
UV: It will come as no surprise to learn that the UV light radiating onto a Queensland roof is at supercharged levels. High-quality manufacturers, however, integrate clever UV-blocking technology on their panels – especially the ones destined for our bright Australian states.
Temperature fluctuations: As we all know here in Australia, the days can be particularly hot and the nights can be particularly cold, and sub-standard solar panels are less able to cope with all that expansion and contraction of the materials.
Wind: It’s hot, cold, bright and humid in Queensland – and also pretty darn windy! Over time, this sort of battering weakens the structural integrity of your array.
3. When should I replace the solar panels?
Although the typical solar panel lifespan is 20-30 years, that doesn’t mean you won’t get a lot more out of your particular system – especially if your routine and professional solar maintenance schedule is top-notch. At the same time, your panels may reach the end of their effective life much sooner than that.
So how long does a solar panel last before it really does need to be replaced? The magic number is about 80% efficiency, which means you will have lost at least 20% of the array’s ability to generate the power you expect because of degradation, micro cracks and other wear, tear and age-related issues.
We’ll help supercharge your solar panel lifespan
But here’s the good news: here at Solar Repair Service, we can keep your solar panels alive for longer by offering the full suite of solar power system repair, installation, professional panel cleaning and technical maintenance.
Our friendly solar electricians have decades of combined experience working on all types, brands and ages of solar power systems, and offer tailored advice all over Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay & beyond.
By now, we’ve heard all of the benefits of switching to clean, green solar power. They’ll survive for decades on your roof with low maintenance, you’ll slash your power bills whilst helping in the fight against climate change and benefitting from various government incentive schemes, and you’ll ramp up your home’s value as the cherry on top. The naysayers, however, will often try to spoil the party by insisting that solar panels aren’t really ‘green’ at all as they can’t be recycled. So is that true? Can old solar panels be recycled, or not?
Answer: Yes, solar panels can be recycled
As with most things, though, there’s a little more to the story. For instance, if there is a downside to Australia’s incredible solar uptake rate at present, it’s that the end-of-life recycling phase is indeed struggling to keep up with demand. There are now well over 3 million Australian homes producing their own solar power, meaning the issue of recycling rather than dumping into landfill is now becoming a pressing one.
And with a green industry that is central to Australia’s clean, green, sustainable future, recyclability is an absolute must. So if you do have concerns, we’ve heard all your most pressing questions about solar panel recycling and have all the answers right here:
Solar panels can be recycled: Our helpful Q&A
Q: How urgent is the problem?
A: Of course it’s urgent – but we also need to put it into context. For instance, although demand has been exponentially surging over the past decade, the vast bulk of those installations won’t be anywhere near the recycling phase for many, many years. The supply-demand market means that over the next decade or two, the recycling issue will steadily get solved.
Q: Sure, but can solar panels be recycled in Australia right now?
A: If you’d asked just a few years ago, the critics would have been correct to point out that solar panel recycling in Australia was pretty thin on the ground. But full-on, large scale solar panel recycling facilities are now starting to go fully operational, like the panel-crushing facility in Melbourne that went online late last year.
Q: How much of solar panels can be recycled?
A: Good question – and the answer is good news indeed. The Melbourne plant we mentioned above says the aim is that 100% of the solar PV modules and all related components – including inverters, mounting structures, optimisers and cables – will be able to be totally broken down and channelled into existing recycling streams. The best bit? The entire process is 100% chemical-free.
A similar operation will go online in South Australia shortly, and another Melbourne company has received full federal government backing to pioneer solar panel ‘upscaling’.
Q: How are solar panels recycled?
A: Another good question – and, again, one with a very satisfying answer. The great news is that solar panels are made almost completely out of glass, plastic and aluminium – three materials that are highly and easily recyclable. It gets a bit complex in that the materials need to be meticulously separated, but advanced machinery is making that process easier and easier.
Let’s improve solar panel sustainability – Together!
So can solar panels be recycled in Australia? The next time a naysayer tries to bring down the industry, you’re now armed with the key answers – thanks to the passionate team right here at Solar Repair Service!
Need help with any of that around Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Redland Bay and beyond? Hit us up here at Solar Repair Service and, together, we’ll help to keep the sustainability of solar panels heading onwards and upwards!
Think about all the appliances around your home – your TV, your fridge, your hot water system. Even off the top of your head, you probably know – and trust – the respective brand name. That’s because it’s the brand name that represents the quality, the reliability, the reputation, the price and the cool features that made you pick ‘Brand A’ over ‘Brand Z’ in the first place. And when it comes to the best solar panel brands Australia wide, it’s no different.
But while it’s likely you have some pre-established opinion about computer, shoe and smartphone brands, you might be drawing a blank when it comes to the solar panel brands that are making the biggest impression. That’s because while you buy shoes and even smartphones over and over, the good solar panel brands can be more elusive. Why’s that? Because it’s a relatively new market and because it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime purchases that never really get the traction that other brands need to achieve.
What are the best solar panel brands?
Nevertheless, if you’re jumping on the solar bandwagon to slash your power bills and your family’s carbon footprint, you’re going to need a trustworthy list of the solar panel brands Australia loves compiled by industry experts, Solar Repair Service. So without further ado … here it is!:
1. The best solar panel brands bar none
Price is always a major consideration with a major investment like solar panels, but if we remove that from the equation, what are the solar panel brands that the billionaires would put in?
At the top of the list must be LG, a South Korean brand that has stunned the market by indicating it will shortly discontinue its solar ambitions. Until now, LG’s N-type silicon cells were the toast of the industry, even though plenty of competitors are now catching up.
One of them is SunPower, an American brand known for producing the most efficient panels of all – and also best at coping with partial shade. Add an amazing 40-year replacement warranty on top, and these corrosion-resistant panels are always a premium choice.
Finally, the third ‘tier 1’ solar panel brand is REC, which come with a 25-year warranty. What sets REC apart from the rest of the field is the award-winning half-cut cell technology, which produces significantly more energy per panel.
2. The best value-for-money solar brands
If you’re like most people, though, you want to find that happy place between great quality and a great price – so here are our winners in that category:
Trina Solar: For solid value, combining reliability with affordability, this is without doubt one of the best Chinese solar brands. Over the past few years, their products have earned a reputation of achieving close to premium performance for a better price.
Jinko: Another good quality, well-priced solar brand with a strong Australian presence is Jinko, who have achieved 21.53% average efficiency. And those in the know, know that above 21% efficiency is an industry-leading achievement.
Longi: Next up, we have another Chinese brand but you can still definitely call Longi ‘tier 1’. Sure, the maximum warranty is 15 years but this is no industry straggler – in fact, it’s probably the biggest producer of monosilicon panels across the entire world, with a good customer service office in Australia.
Pick a solar panel brand with Solar Repair Service
But what about Q-Cell, Solarwatt, Hyundai, Solaria, Suntech, Risen, Opal … and plenty of other good solar brands that would look and work brilliantly on your roof? Because we’ve serviced so many solar systems over the years, no one knows more about the best solar panel brands Australia wide than Solar Repair Service. So if you want to know more and avoid the solar panel problems of inferior products get in touch with our friendly team today!
We hear all the time about how renewable energy such as solar is the clean, green future that awaits us all – and that we can already reap all of those benefits today. And it’s not just better for the planet, as solar power slashes your electricity bills, boosts your property’s value, ends your energy dependence, and is a low-to-no maintenance solution for the long term. What you hear quite a bit less about is solar electrical safety – for good reason. After all, when you buy a new car, how much will the salesperson talk about the risk of getting into a serious crash?
But at Solar Repair Service, we care about you – which means we need to talk openly and honestly about solar power system electrical safety. We don’t pretend that turning sun radiation into useable electricity is ‘magic’. We don’t hide that, like all electric energy generation systems, there is the risk of electrocution and arc faults that spark fires and even explosions. And hardly anyone emphasises 3 of the lesser known risks including:
1. Flood/Emergency
As 2022 has demonstrated to us so far with a vengeance, flooding is still a big deal in Australia. If you suspect or fear water damage may be on the horizon, always follow the manufacturer’s proper processes for inverter shutdown.
However, if water damage has already been done, don’t risk a shock and instead call the solar electricians at Solar Repair Service.
2. Roof safety
Solar installers and manufacturers often refer to the risk of falling off the roof. But a much bigger concern is actually electrical safety whilst working on the roof or in those roof cavities – because of all the electrical wiring and other powered features lurking up there.
If you’re tempted to go up or in there, pay particular attention to the live supply cables running from the panels to the inverter – as well as every other electrical feature. And don’t forget that even if you power down your solar system from the switchboard or the inverter, the main supply line will of course still be live, as will be the panels-to-inverter connections.
3. Recalls
Another thing to keep an eye out for is product recalls. A major culprit over the past few years has been faulty DC isolator switches, with plenty of systems subject to recalls – mainly due to the risk of overheating and fire.
What’s the real answer? It couldn’t be simpler: maintenance, maintenance, and maintenance.
Get your solar power system regularly looked at by true industry experts, and it could be good to go and super-safe for decades. With a bit of luck, your installer or the manufacturer has already laid out what your particular solar system servicing schedule is, but you can also give Solar Repair Service a call and our experienced and fully-licensed solar team will help you out.
Need a few maintenance tips?
Keep cooling vents clean & debris-free
Keep panels & switches secure, clean and defect-free
Check parts and wiring for deterioration, damage & corrosion
As well as panels & inverters, don’t neglect any battery storage system you may have in place.
A good plan for safety and reliability is to have regular scheduled solar panel cleaning and inspections.
Don’t forget about solar power system electrical safety
Yes, you need to worry about how good your installation was, what condition your panels and components are in, and if the weather or pests have compromised the long-term health of your entire solar panel system. That’s a lot to worry about, so why would you risk it by not putting your solar power maintenance needs in the hands of Solar Repair Service?
We repair any and all brands of solar systems, solar panels & solar inverters all across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and beyond, so get in touch with Solar Repair Service today.
If you’re new to the world of solar power, first of all, we just want to say: “Welcome!” And now you have a choice: put all of your faith in your trustworthy solar energy professionals, or dig a little deeper. Scratch just the surface, and you’ll learn that there are actually four main parts to your solar energy system: the panels, the racking or mounting, the inverter and the battery storage. But there’s a fifth element that is less talked about and even less well understood: the solar panel optimisers.
The reason solar optimisers don’t get much air-time is because they’re basically an additional and optional feature – and we completely recognise that your solar energy system will still work without its help. But the key here is in the name itself: solar optimiser. The solar optimisers, in other words, ‘optimise’ the power that your individual panels produce.
If you’re wondering about the sort of optimisers solar specialists may be recommending to you, the sales pitch is definitely not hot air. That’s because if just one of your panels is in fact not working optimally, that lagging performance can – and usually will – bring down the performance of the system as a whole. Your panels are arranged in a ‘string’ – and we all know what happens if you affix multiple trinkets to an actual, real-life string and then take to it with a pair of scissors. In the world of solar energy, the solar panel optimiser’s job is to keep your panel ‘strings’ intact.
Do you have questions about solar panel optimisers?
We know you have more questions than that about how solar panel optimisers play their role in your new setup, so we’ve bundled them all up in these 6 questions that hopefully make everything crystal clear:
Q: Does my new system really need solar optimisers?
A: Technically, no. But without them, your ‘strings’ will only be as powerful as the single-most high-performing panel. With solar optimisers installed, however, the power of each individual panel will be individually optimised.
Q: Why would my panels not already be optimised?
A: Good question, because many people believe that new panels straight out of the box will already perform optimally. However, the problem could actually be as simple as one panel in the partial shade, or one being not quite as clean as the others.
Q: How does the individual solar optimiser really work?
A: Without getting technical, what solar optimisers do is detect sub-optimal panel performance and find a way to bypass that individual problem and prioritise the overall performance of each string. In even simpler terms, it means panel performing at 50% power will not result in the other panels all effectively being brought down to 50% too.
Q: Will solar optimisers always work optimally?
A: Another great question, because some may fear that adding additional features to your solar setup is just adding more things that can go wrong. Luckily, the solar panel optimiser – made from highly durable materials – is designed specifically to handle the extreme conditions of turning heat energy into free, useable power.
Q: Do solar panel optimisers make financial sense?
A: Sure, a solar optimiser per panel adds a few extra dollars to the overall cost of your system, but not suffering ongoing sub-optimal panel performance will more than pay you back over time.
Q: Who can install solar optimisers?
A: Your friendly solar electricians can quickly and inexpensively install your solar optimisers.
Ask Solar Repair Service about solar optimisers
If we’ve convinced you that solar panel optimisers may be well worth the investment, the only questions left to answer are about the details of the type, brand and features you require – which depends on the specifics of your solar system. At Solar Repair Service, we don’t just fix and service your solar setup, we’re fully qualified and highly experienced in all sorts of solar repairs, cleaning and more.
So you’re new to the world of solar, but you don’t know a lot about the technology and all of those solar panel and solar inverter brands. Firstly, reassure yourself that you’re making a brilliant decision. It’s not just the way forward for our country and our world, you’re about to slash your power bills, crank up your home’s value, and get a super low-maintenance way to deliver clean and sustainable power for your family – and perhaps even the rest of us via the electricity grid!
But now for the slightly trickier bit – wading through the growing, bustling and highly competitive Australian solar industry market. The good news is that all of that competition means a huge range of options and low prices. As a newcomer, though, how are you going to find out who makes and supplies the best solar inverters near you, complete with affordable prices and a reputation for reliability, durability and quality? What solar inverter brands are even available across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and beyond?
As the leading solar electricians in the area, with more experience than most of our peers in system installations, solar repairs, cleaning and maintenance, our friendly team at Solar Repair Service are perfectly placed to offer trustworthy advice about the best solar inverter brands available right here. And that sort of advice is crucial, given that up to 70% of all solar system failures are due to a failed inverter.
But first things first: what’s a solar inverter, anyway?
The panels aside, it’s the inverter that converts the direct current (DC) generated by the sunshine and your panels into the alternating current (AC) you need for your power points. With such an important role, it’s crucial you know a little about the best inverter for solar systems from a brand perspective.
So what are the stand-out best solar inverter brands near you? Let’s get stuck into it:
1. Fronius
Let’s start with an Austrian brand (no, we didn’t spell Australian wrong!). If that puts you off though because you prefer Aussie-made, how about this: the brand has been around since World War II, so you could say they have an awful lot of experience – and that’s actually quite rare for the renewable energy sector. The first Fronius solar inverter was switched on in 1995, and now there’s an office in Victoria.
2. ABB
Another very impressive solar inverter brand knows exactly what it’s doing, across no less than four forward-looking global industries – electrification, automation, motion, and robotics. They’ve set as a mission the “transformation of society and industry” to make it more productive and sustainable, which is music to the ears of many. And if you thought Fronius’ history back to WW2 was impressive, consider ABB’s 130+ years heritage, culminating in well over 100,000 employees across 100 countries. A sure bet.
3. SMA
SMA solar inverters, on the other hand, is smaller – just 3,000 employees across 18 countries. But where SMA exceeds itself is in its dedication to innovation, which is actually sometimes easier for large companies at a more manageable scale. And this German company, with almost $2 billion in sales even in the covid-affected 2020, has been around for four decades – another safe bet. Need more convincing? SMA is currently the only solar company listed on the TecDAX – an index tracking the performance of Germany’s 30 biggest tech companies.
4. Sungrow
While the credentials of the aforementioned 3 solar inverter brands may be impressive, Sungrow – a great brand name, by the way – makes a particularly bold claim. This German brand claims to be “the world’s most bankable inverter brand” after 24 years in the photovoltaic space. How does it justify this claim? Remembering that 1 gigawatt is 1000 megawatts, or a billion watts, Sungrow claims to have installed over 182 GW since 1997. Wow! It was achieved by putting together and building the biggest R&D team in inverter innovation in the entire solar industry – and launched the biggest inverter factory on planet earth in 2019.
Solar Repair Service knows all the best solar inverters
Spoiled for choice? We understand that newcomers to the solar industry may be fully on board with the concept, but a little out at sea when it comes to reliable and affordable solar inverter brands. So here at Solar Repair Service, we’d love to help! If you’re looking to get a solar setup up and running across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and beyond, there’s no one better in the business – so give our friendly team a call.
In life, there aren’t a lot of no-brainers. But amid the backdrop of climate change, rising electricity bills and generous government schemes, changing direction by ‘going solar’ is perhaps the biggest no-brainer of them all. After all, the sun gives us clean energy – for free. It allows us to slash our carbon footprint (not to mention those power bills), and add long-term value to your home with a solar setup that is truly low-maintenance.
‘Low maintenance’, however, doesn’t mean ‘no maintenance’. But while owning a car means checking the oil & water, the tyre pressures, and keeping that shiny Duco clean, looking after your solar panels is a lot, lot easier.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about solar panel cleaning.
1. Do I need to clean solar panels?
Yes – for your system to run efficiently and safely, a little general maintenance is necessary. Thankfully, though, the biggest culprit is simply dust, muck and debris – with lowered performance the main downside of letting your cleaning regimen slip.
2. How often do I need to do solar maintenance?
Basically, treat your solar system like all the rest of your electrical gear – although a particularly expensive and important one. Bear in mind that each brand and technology type will have specific maintenance instructions, routines and schedules, so the best people to ask are actually your specific installer or retailer. Here’s some further information about solar panel maintenance. Oh, and read the paperwork – and keep those warranties in a safe place!
3. Can I do all of it myself?
Because a lot of people simply won’t or can’t get on their roof, professional solar panel cleaning is common. But also bear in mind that turning your system off completely, and then working on a rooftop with semi-live electrical systems, is even a lot more difficult than it sounds, so you’re always safest to get a licensed technician to do your maintenance routines.
4. Are we just talking about solar panel cleaning?
While ensuring those solar panels are nice and clean is crucial for their performance and longevity, there’s more to your maintenance schedule than that. Your panels also need to remain secure, defect-free, with no corrosion, damage or deterioration. Vents should be clear of debris, switches checked, wiring double-checked, fittings secure, inverter error codes cleared, and so on.
Looking to proceed with your solar panel cleaning? Follow our quick step-by-step guide to get it right:
Getting on the roof? Ensure you are confident and you have the right safety gear.
Got the product handbook? You’re going to need it for your system’s precise maintenance and cleaning regime.
Sun out? While a baking sun is great for your power bills, it’s not so great when you’re about to deal with scorchingly-hot solar panels. If you’re going to get up there, leave it until the late afternoon or get an early start.
Got a garden hose? Remember, your panels get a battering from the rain, so a decent spray will get rid of the worst of that dust, debris and dirt build-up. And don’t be shy with a bucket of soapy water and a squeegee.
Got a wire brush? Don’t use it! Anything particularly hard, made of metal or otherwise abrasive may be good for getting off the really caked-on muck, but the scratches you leave behind will hurt your system’s performance.
Do you need your solar system cleaned and serviced? Here at Solar Repair Service, we use only the best and most experienced solar electricians to ensure that your solar set-up is always in tip-top shape. While our thorough clean can boost your solar performance by as much as 40%, we also check for faults and budding problems – and always bundle it all with a smile and a great price! For fast, guaranteed services in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Redlands, the Sunshine Coast and beyond, get in touch with the friendly team at Solar Repair Service today.
In our sun-soaked country, it’s a lot easier to find reasons to ‘go solar’ than to think about the reasons why you shouldn’t. It’s just a fact that we need a lot of electricity for our busy, productive and enjoyable lives – and solar is cheaper, better for the environment, and the key to sustainability and self-sufficiency. At the heart of your solar setup are the panels themselves, which sit on your roof, soaking up the sun and quietly turning it into clean, cheap and abundant energy – it’s a truly outstanding, low-maintenance investment that will quickly pay you back over time. Unfortunately, another fact is that – like anything else – even the most ingenious and robust inventions sometimes go wrong. Are you worried your solar panels are not working properly?
Here are the 5 most common solar panel problems from the specialists in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast solar repair services.
1. Corrosion
While impressively robust and weather-proof, moisture has been known to creep inside, causing problems with solar panels.
The best thing to do about this is to get an annual solar inspection so that the crucial internal components are kept safe and dry.
2. Wiring
If your solar panel faults are wiring-related, ask yourself this: Did a fully licensed, experienced and reputable solar installer wire it? Poor installation may explain any loose connections – however poor installation also makes the wiring easier to access by common Australian pests like possums and rats who will chew the cables causing short circuits. Other factors like corrosion and oxidation can be less avoidable.
If you suspect a wiring issue, don’t risk your long-term investment by fiddling around yourself, and instead call a licensed solar electrician.
3. Cracks
While rare, cracks remain one of the potential solar panel problems you may be experiencing. Small cracks shouldn’t be a big deal, but we all know that any little crack can easily develop into a bigger one.
It may surprise you that the biggest cause of solar panel cracks is not because of the conditions, but because of poor installation and handling.
4. Hot spots
One of the most common solar power questions we are asked is about hot spots. While your panels are obviously designed to soak up the hot Australian sun, they become particularly susceptible to hot spots – or concentrations of heat – when dirty.
However, bad soldering is also another major cause, so it’s just another reason to put just as much homework into your panel installer and repairer than the panels themselves.
5. PID
PID stands for Potential Induced Degradation, which is a complex problem that eats away at your system’s power output. Without getting too technical, the issue involves voltage, grounding, ions and electrons – but the cause is simpler: humidity.
The best way to avoid these types of problems is to browse for manufacturers and repairers who spend a lot of time thinking about PID resistance and remedies.
Stop worrying and call Solar Repair Service instead
Are you experiencing one of these common solar panel problems? You’re in luck, because here at Solar Repair Service we promptly fix panels, inverters and solar systems all across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Redland Bay and beyond. Our solar technicians are fully qualified, we have decades of combined experience, and we have successfully identified and rectified the full spectrum of solar panel problems at hundreds upon hundreds of homes and premises just like yours.
Don’t let problems with solar panels get you down. Instead, give Solar Repair Service a call today.
As our exciting and ever-greener 21st century keeps racing on, there seem to be more reasons every single day why you should ‘go solar’. As well as being the most environmentally-friendly energy source out there, especially in beautiful sunny Queensland, it’s just fun to make your own electricity – and extremely cost-effective as well. But while also extraordinarily reliable, anything made by us humans can sometimes go wrong – and solar inverter problems top the list of common issues faced by solar Queenslanders just like you.
Solar inverter not working? – Here’s what to know
If your solar inverter is on strike, it can be tricky to know whether you should immediately call the friendly and speedy solar systems electricians at Solar Repair Service, or if a bit of easy-peasy DIY might just do the job – and get that solar system firing again in a flash!
It sounds like you need some helpful solar inverter troubleshooting tips – so let’s get straight into it.
1. How’s that error code?
Inverters are complex, but luckily just about every modern system will give you a basic indication of what’s gone wrong in the form of operating lights or LED error codes. But if there’s no error lights or codes at all, that sounds like a pretty serious solar inverter problem – like a total loss of power.
2. Solar inverter not powering on?
If you discover your solar panel inverter not working because there seems to be no power at all, check whether the rest of your house has power. Unless you’re totally off the grid, Australian standards require inverters to power down in a blackout.
3. No sun in the sky?
If the weather has been particularly grim, and you stare up into the sky and can’t even see where the sun is, your solar inverter problems could be solved instantly. It’s a feature called ‘minimum voltage window’ – and if the DC voltage has fallen so low on a cloudy day that you’ve fallen out of that window, that could be the issue. So if the sun is hiding and you’ve got no power, don’t worry too much.
4. Is it the circuit breakers?
It’s time to head to the switchboard, where you’ll find your solar system’s circuit breakers. Are they all still in the ‘on’ position? If so, head back to your inverter and check the switches there, too – especially the AC and DC isolators. If anything has tripped, flick them back on. Make sure you turn the AC off before turn the DC switches off. If they are in poor condition and switched off under load they can catch on fire.
If that fixes the problem, awesome! If not, your solar inverter troubleshooting continues…
5. Have you tried a power cycle?
Your solar system may seem amazing – because it is! But you should also think of it a bit like a computer, which can sometimes simply freeze for no great reason. So before panicking too much, follow the procedure for a system shutdown – and see if a “reboot” does the trick.
6. Power back on – but still got problems?
If the power’s back on but the only improvement to your situation is the presence of an error code or fault light, start Googling or whip out the manual to see what it means.
7. Is it the battery?
If your solar setup includes a battery, you could find your solar inverter not working because of a battery fault. The fix for that could simply be to cycle the battery, so get Googling or get that manual out to see how to do that with your battery type.
8. Still got problems?
Unfortunately, in some cases – even when your inverter has power and is not displaying an error code – your stubborn system may still be producing unacceptable levels of power, or no power at all. It might be the wiring, it could be the panels, it could be the installation, it could be the grim weather, it could be an overgrown tree – but you will need to give Solar Repair Service a bell. If you’re wondering ‘How long do solar inverters last?’, the answer is about 10-15 years, so yours may simply have said its final goodnight.
Is it time to give Solar Repair Service a shout?
Don’t forget, your solar system setup is complex, expensive, and high voltage – so you should only attempt solar inverter troubleshooting if you’re particularly confident. If you need professional and affordable solar inverter repairs, we are here to help!
Solar Repair Service repairs all leading solar inverter brands like Aurora, Clenergy, CMS, Fronius and a lot more across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and beyond – so don’t hesitate to give us a shout.
With the solar boom over the past 10 years, there has been lots of solar panels and inverters flooding the market. Many brands offer fantastic warranties and promote “high-quality products” however lots of people have been supposed to find, the warranty’s in some cases aren’t all as great as they sound. Here’s some more information about the solar power warranty situation.
Solar panel warranty.
Most people aren’t aware that solar panels have two warranties. Everyone hears the 25-year warranty, however, this is a performance warranty. Solar panels also have a product warranty and in some cases, this is only 10 years. We are seeing more and more panels not lasting their product warranty and no big surprise, when you go to make a claim the company is no longer in Australia, therefore this is no warranty.
Solar inverter warranty.
Much like the solar panel warranties, the inverter comes with a manufactures warranty ranging from 5-10 years. If your lucky and the company still exists you may be able to get a replacement inverter and have it installed by a local solar electrician and get reimbursed for the costs by the manufacturer. Not surprisingly lots and lots of inverter manufactures have closed down or left Australia, which leaves the consumer with the burden of the replacement costs.
Solar warranty advice.
When you’re selecting a solar system, it’s important to choose quality products. Make sure you look for a solar module with a 20 – 25 year product and performance warranty. There are also a few really good inverters such as Fronius or SMA, these have been in the solar industry for the long haul and offer great after-sales service. Don’t buy a solar system on price! It’s like any product, the cheap products don’t last. Don’t fall for sales pitch like “best low light panels”, “best performing panels” do your own research and choose a reputable solar system installation company.
Need help with your solar system?
If you need help. Get in touch with our solar technician team. We have been in the industry from day one and have lots of solar experience. Let us give you honest advice about your solar system.
Lots of solar installers are unaware that installing the solar panel racking incorrectly may inadvertently void the solar panel warranty.
The solar panel manufacturers specify clearance requirements and fixing distances for the solar panel array frame. If these distances are incorrect it may lead to the solar panel having too much overhang and could potentially cause micro-cracks inside the cells most manufacturers will void their warranty if the panels are installed this way.
Check out our short video explaining the installation error of the solar system
One of the other main factors is that the right frame is designed for specific wind loads if the wracking isn’t installed as per the manufacturers’ design it could lead to the system not meeting the wind requirements for the region.
This could potentially be dangerous in the event of a strong storm and may lead to the system becoming dislodged from the roof. A common installation error is installers trying to fit too many solar panels onto a roof without taking into consideration the actual fixings for the array frame. You can’t just go and place as many panels as you want without insuring the racking is designed and suited for the installation.
If you have issues or concerns with your solar system I would like it checked to give us a call our solo team are experts in all types of solar systems and repairs. Check out our Solar Electrician Service.
Beware of low-quality solar panels. We found burnt solar cells in these modules.
We came across an interesting solar panel fault while checking this clients solar panels.
This client had “isolation fault” come up on his solar inverter. He called us to do a comprehensive solar inspection, what we found amazed even us! These panel are 3 years old and almost all of the 20 panels have corrosion and a few have seriously badly burnt solar cells. This has burnt right through the backing on the solar panels and has made the system unsafe!
Unfortunately for this homeowner these panels are no longer available and will need to be replaced. The supposed 10-year panel warranty is no longer available as the manufacturer has closed down! This is an expensive lesson, as to why you should do your own research on the product and ensure the panels are high quality! Don’t go for the cheapest as you will most likely get burnt!
Be very wary of cheap TV specials, we see them failing every other day! Go for a good quality system and installer!
