Solar PV "Power failure"? Technicians in North East? Help!

Telegraph_Sam

I noticed today that my Aurora Power One invertor control panel has been displaying "Missing grid", the power light is flashing and the alarm has been illuminated. There is no display on the meter. Now that darkness has fallen everything is blank. The co based in Newcastle that installed the unit 13 years ago has now moved from domestic to commercial installations so there is some doubt as to them fixing the problem. Can anyone recommend anyone in the North East (I live between Durham and Newcastle, DH2) who I could approach?
The 16 panels are Conergy Noir PP 250 w. South facing / bungalow.
If this is not the correct thread / forum I'd appreciate being redirected!
Thanks

Reed_Richards

This is not enttirely the wrong thread but you might do better posting to Green and Ethical https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/green-ethical-moneysaving

Telegraph_Sam

Tks. Copy and paste job?

debitcardmayhem

Sam you need to report and move, not to worry I have done it for you. It will get there soon, along with any replies. 😎

QrizB

I seem to recall there are a couple of common faults with Aurora inverters? There's several people over on Green & Ethical who have them, I'm sure they'll be able to help.

If all else fails, replacement inverters are fairly cheap these days.

victor2

Thread moved.

QrizB

While I don't know anything about the Aurora Power One specifically, "missing grid" sounds like mains failure.

Have you checked the breaker in your consumer unit? Even if it's still "on", try flipping in off and back on a couple of times. Listen for any arcing/crackling.

You had a thread a couple of years ago with a link to the user manual, but the link is now dead

Netexporter

Worth trying the old switch it off and switch it back on trick. Turn off both the AC and DC isolators, leave for 10 seconds or so, then switch back on. Worked for my inverter when a local line fault was causing over-voltages and tripping it out.

Ectophile

If the meter is blank, then the inverter is probably right - you have lost the power to it.  Those inverters will go to sleep at night, so I would expect the display to go blank.  Check that all breakers are on, not tripped.

My one used to trip the RCD regularly.  I often had to turn it back on after a storm.

You're doing well if an Aurora Power One is working after 13 years.  Mine lasted 6.

Telegraph_Sam

I think that I can be a little more specific with ref to the "Start-Up Troubleshooting" section of the Aurora manual. The symptoms that I have reported make an exact match with what the manual lists under "The inverter does not establish parallel with the grid". .."There is no grid voltage". Possible solutions listed are:
"Check the status of the AC side disconnecting switch"
"Check the inverter's AC side connections (Ref.Par.5.2) and repeat the commissioning procedure (Ref. Par. 10)"

No reference however to the lights and display going blank after dark and coming on again in daylight.

I know little enough about electrics. I had a look at my consumer panel and did a trial trip/reset but could see nothing obviously wrong.
Is this a job for any (local) electrician or should I try to find someone in the North East who is versed in solar PV??