Solar repair

retiredyoung

Hi , We have had a solar pv system since jan 2014, I have recently noticed that one of the panels has gone down, we have Solar edge inverters so that could be the issue as all the other panels are working normally.We are in Hampshire and I am finding it difficult in finding a local company to come and have a look, our original installers are no longer trading,could anyone recommend anybody in our area Thanks.

1961Nick

retiredyoung said:

Hi , We have had a solar pv system since jan 2014, I have recently noticed that one of the panels has gone down, we have Solar edge inverters so that could be the issue as all the other panels are working normally.We are in Hampshire and I am finding it difficult in finding a local company to come and have a look, our original installers are no longer trading,could anyone recommend anybody in our area Thanks.

I would firstly asses the likely cost of a repair - scaffold, inverter, labour, location of the panel etc - & then decide whether the job is viable. Lost FIT & marginal self consumption should be easy to calculate & give a good indication as to the size of the repair 'kitty'. It could be that it would only be worthwhile repairing 2 or more failed panels/inverters.

There is also the risk that it's the actual panel at fault & that might create matching issues.

yp70479

My panels were installed by ECH Ltd, based in Fareham. They did a good job, and as long as you are not a 3 storey house they don't need full scaffolding, they use ladder or towers. They did an excellent job for me, but I know they are really busy at the moment doing installations so may ot want a small repair job. Other companies in the local area that I considered? Spirit Energy in Reading,Orange Solar Systems, JEM Energy and Infinity Energy.

Exiled_Tyke

A word of warning.  I tried to calm against SolerEdge for a failed optimiser.  They insisted it couldn't be the optimiser but the panel. So I had the panel replaced. But it wasn't the panel. They could only accept responsibility with photo evidence of voltmeter readings.  Incredibly unhelpful as there's wasn't really anything else it could be.  I did eventually get a replacement under warranty.  The whole thing took months to sort out but we eventually got there.  So when someone does manage to get on your roof make sure they check everything out and if you are making a warranty claim get the evidence as well! 

ecraig

yp70479 said:

My panels were installed by ECH Ltd, based in Fareham. They did a good job, and as long as you are not a 3 storey house they don't need full scaffolding, they use ladder or towers. They did an excellent job for me, but I know they are really busy at the moment doing installations so may ot want a small repair job. Other companies in the local area that I considered? Spirit Energy in Reading,Orange Solar Systems, JEM Energy and Infinity Energy.

Matt at Orange Solar systems gets a vote from me. I didn't go with Orange because of their long lead time for a full install, but they were way way way better priced than my installer (Light Renewables). Got a lot of sense and time out of them and would thoroughly recommend you make contact with them to see if they can help. 

Plus I've actually seen his workmanship and it's very good

ispookie666

retiredyoung said:

Hi , We have had a solar pv system since jan 2014, I have recently noticed that one of the panels has gone down, we have Solar edge inverters so that could be the issue as all the other panels are working normally.We are in Hampshire and I am finding it difficult in finding a local company to come and have a look, our original installers are no longer trading,could anyone recommend anybody in our area Thanks.

I can empathise with your situation.  One of my system was installed in 2015 and have had one of the microinverter under reporting for a while (around 30% drop in performance).  When I ran the math, it was probably not worth unless the panel stopped completely and a few more failed!
Artisan electricals seems to have put up a video in the last few days on Youtube

sevenhills

Just out of curiosity, what can be replaced and it doesn't change the original FIT?
Someone mentioned that inverters have a lifespan of around ten years, do most panels and set ups last 25+ years?
I have eight panels that were installed in 2015

EricMears

sevenhills said:

Just out of curiosity, what can be replaced and it doesn't change the original FIT?
Someone mentioned that inverters have a lifespan of around ten years, do most panels and set ups last 25+ years?
I have eight panels that were installed in 2015

AIUI,  the only thing that can't be 'upgraded' is your group of panels  but even they can be replaced 'like for like' if they become faulty or damaged.  Your 'total generation meter' is slightly more complex : in the (very rare) case of that stopping working it would need to be replaced with another 'certified' meter and evidence provided of what final reading of old meter was and initial reading of the new one.

pete-20-11

If you have a non smart generation meter, might be worth sticking a note on the calendar each month to take a photo of the reading. 😀

Martyn1981

EricMears said:

sevenhills said:

Just out of curiosity, what can be replaced and it doesn't change the original FIT?
Someone mentioned that inverters have a lifespan of around ten years, do most panels and set ups last 25+ years?
I have eight panels that were installed in 2015

AIUI,  the only thing that can't be 'upgraded' is your group of panels  but even they can be replaced 'like for like' if they become faulty or damaged.  Your 'total generation meter' is slightly more complex : in the (very rare) case of that stopping working it would need to be replaced with another 'certified' meter and evidence provided of what final reading of old meter was and initial reading of the new one.

Just to say, you can upgrade the panels, since a replacement now of similar size and look, will most likely be more powerful. But you will need to notify the FiT provider so that they can take the higher power into account and proportion payments accordingly.

So, just as an example, if you had 16 250Wp panels, so 4,000Wp approved under FiT, and you replaced a 250Wp panel with a 350Wp panel, then the FiT provider would pay you based on 4,000/4,100 x your generation going forward.

I actually came very close to replacing my old 235Wp panels on the low roof with higher spec ones, but as I have a Solaredge system, the higher power panels would also require different PO's (power optimisers), so not worth the extra cost .... yet!

1961Nick

Martyn1981 said:

EricMears said:

sevenhills said:

Just out of curiosity, what can be replaced and it doesn't change the original FIT?
Someone mentioned that inverters have a lifespan of around ten years, do most panels and set ups last 25+ years?
I have eight panels that were installed in 2015

AIUI,  the only thing that can't be 'upgraded' is your group of panels  but even they can be replaced 'like for like' if they become faulty or damaged.  Your 'total generation meter' is slightly more complex : in the (very rare) case of that stopping working it would need to be replaced with another 'certified' meter and evidence provided of what final reading of old meter was and initial reading of the new one.

I actually came very close to replacing my old 235Wp panels on the low roof with higher spec ones, but as I have a Solaredge system, the higher power panels would also require different PO's (power optimisers), so not worth the extra cost .... yet!

The problem with having thoughts like that Mart is that they fester until advanced man-maths convinces you that it's a viable plan.