Solaredge v Enphase - 4kw quotes

Dave_Fowler

I've just dropped a note to the Solar Edge team to say I have a problem with one of the optimizers and/or panel. It was only by chance that I decided to look at the SE monitoring portal and I noted on Monday 3rd April at 10am that one panel output dropped to about 1/3rd of all the other panels. Yesterday was very cloudy so 1/3 of next to nothing hardly showed up. Today, the panel output tracked its neighbours up to 30W then has hardly risen at all. I have closely checked the panel physically (it's on the low roof of the garage) and can see no problems.

Just my luck to get a fault when I'm due to get my new EV in two weeks time.

Dave F

Dave_Fowler

At last a reply from SolarEdge.

They have asked me to go up on the roof and check the open circuit voltage of the panel. I've replied by saying their monitoring portal shows that at 1.1 Amp output, the panel voltage was 36.25 Volts. The specification for the panel is 37.75V open circuit. The adjacent panel, at the same time, was monitored as 33V at 3.25A. It looks to me as if the optimizer is not taking all the power it can from the panel. The company who installed the panels are in liquidation.

Dave F

Dave_Fowler

SolarEdge are sending me a replacement optimizer. Should arrive Wednesday. Hopefully that will cure the problem.

Dave F

theboylard

I've got spare P300's if you need one?

Dave_Fowler

Received replacement optimiser from SolarEdge - so I'll be up on the roof tomorrow to fit it if it isn't raining.

They sent a 500W version to replace the 300W original.

Dave F

Dave_Fowler

The new optimiser is fitted:j - quite hairy being up on the roof especially when it started raining. :eek:

The old optimiser was only rated at 250W - I thought it was 300W. Considering the 250Wp panels have reached a peak of 294W today, I'm not too surprised there has been a failure. I will open up the old optimiser and see if I can find the fault.

I've paired the new optimiser with the inverter; just need to get it registered on the SolarEdge monitoring portal physical lay-out.

Edit- [I've opened the old optimiser and found that moisture had got in through the lid (It was one of the early models where the lid was screwed on with 6 screws) Most of the lid screws were loose.]

Dave F