Solar Panel Testing for Guarantee purposes.

rizla01

Hi,

I had a Solax system (5 panels) installed at my property nearly 3 yrs ago.

I dont currently live at this address but had it installed under an offer available at the time but for the past 6 mths there has been no display in the Solax inverter and the red light is on.

The installer only gives 2 yr warranty so I was advised to contact Solax direct, which I did but they are insisting that I get an electrician to take certain readings and photograph them before they wil consider my claim. When I asked if they would cover the cost of an electrician, they instructed me to take the measurements myself and send them to them. Here is what they sent:-

1. For the AC side. If I am right,  I notice there is an AC isolator on the wall. You can remove the cover and measure the voltage there.
2. For DC side, you can disconnect the pv strings from the inverter and measure the pv voltage..
3. Please make sure that the DC isolator and DC switch on the inverter is on.
4. Please take a picture of the inverter serial number.
   
   SURELY they should have an agent in this Country who can send an engineer out to carry out the neccesary checks.
   
   Also, although I know how to use a multi-meter, this seems a pretty questionable thing to ask a member of the public who is NOT a qualified electrician, to do.
   
   I am tempted to chuck the inverter and go buy one elsewhere but that really shouldn't be neccessary, should it.
   
   I will be grateful for any thougts or advice on where to go from here.
   

Netexporter

Have you tried resetting the inverter? Could be that the voltage rose too high, It would say "grid fault" on the display in that case.

rizla01

I have turned everything off for a few days and then turned back on.
At no time is there any display at all.

Ectophile

Most likely, they don't want to be the ones paying to determine whether the problem is a fault with the inverter or with your electrical wiring.  They will only open a warranty claim once you have shown that the inverter is faulty.

Heedtheadvice

....and determining that the inverter is faulty should be done by a few simple checks and ( better ) independent checks like those they request.

It might well seem obvious but an independent 'report' will maybe carry more weight.

I agree that it is not reasonable to ask a member of the public to undertake these tests owing the potential risk of shock. Some people will be able to do the measurements safely but many probably could not.

Surely it is worth getting an electrician to do those tests and promise them the work to replace a new one whether after warranty if the claim is passed or your choice of another. If you have MCS approved installation or other criteria that need to be met for export payment that might be a wise move anyway. There could also be an external 'problem' such as a supply issue.

I am assuming here the warranty does not cover any labour costs!!

rizla01

Heedtheadvice said:

....and determining that the inverter is faulty should be done by a few simple checks and ( better ) independent checks like those they request.

It might well seem obvious but an independent 'report' will maybe carry more weight.

I agree that it is not reasonable to ask a member of the public to undertake these tests owing the potential risk of shock. Some people will be able to do the measurements safely but many probably could not.

Surely it is worth getting an electrician to do those tests and promise them the work to replace a new one whether after warranty if the claim is passed or your choice of another. If you have MCS approved installation or other criteria that need to be met for export payment that might be a wise move anyway. There could also be an external 'problem' such as a supply issue.

I am assuming here the warranty does not cover any labour costs!!

They pay £65 for a leccy to remove and re-install.

The local agent wants £150 so hopefully I can get him to do the tests, photo the evidence, return the unit and refit replacement for that. Half paid by me and Half by Solax.

You never know - I might be lucky.

Thanks for all the comments btw.