Solar panel inverter

theonlywayisup

Our solar panel inverter has died - it's 6 years old and only 4 months outside of warranty but the manufacturers say it's not cost-effective to repair.

I know this is a somewhat specialised request, but does anyone have a recommend on a model which might have more longevity. This is a standard domestic solar panel install.

We've been recommended* an Abb Uno-DM 4kw single phase inverter for £900 fitted with a 5 year warranty.

The dead inverter is Aurora PVI 3.6 TL if that means anything to anyone.

*We rang Aurora who confirmed it's outside of warranty and passed us to their local electrical installer in our area (Cornwall).

TIA.

data02

Typically, grid connected inverters have a life span ranging form 10 to 20 years. You should expect most to last 10 years minimum. Solar inverters have warranties ranging from 5 to 12 years with an increasing number of manufacturers offering pay for service warranty extension.

greyteam1959

Would it not be worth going back to Aurora & asking nicely for a discount off a replacement ??
Quoting 'It should have lasted between 10 & 20 years' ??
Just a thought

shaun_from_Africa

theonlywayisup wrote: »

but the manufacturers say it's not cost-effective to repair.

It might be a case of it not being cost effective for them as they may be more interested in selling you a new one.
Have you considered a company such as this one:
http://www.cgascoigne.co.uk/services/solar-panel-maintenance-repairs/solar-inverter-repairs/

I'm not recommending them, simply a company found using Google. There are quite a few similar companies around the UK.

theonlywayisup

Aurora aren't willing to discount a new one, I suspect because it is not them that fit/commissions but a local authorised electrician.

As for repairs - we have today examined that and the cost of repair will be almost as much as a new unit, with a warranty of 3 months on the work - so not viable.

It seems it has to be a new unit, I was hoping someone may have had some recommends on the best ones to go for. I'm off back to google to find out as much as I can.....

MX5huggy

I’d look at SMA Sunny Boy or SolarEdge, the latter may not work with your panels as they use micro inverters. The former is offering a 10 warranty for “free” at the moment.

kernowchic

 My Sonny boy seems to be on the blink-just outside the gaurantee of course - and a new one will cost around £1700.00. Any ideas?

Heedtheadvice

Who did you buy from. Still in business.

See https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange/#must

Initially ignore manufacturers warranty, should last a reasonable amount of time. IMHO (and as posted by implication above) unless misused or damaged, 5 years is not a reasonable legth of time.