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Broken Solar, Rye VIC

Problem: PV solar system not generating anything. Inverter displaying 0 watts output, despite the solar array above working perfectly.

Diagnosis: Faulty inverter. Warranty expired.

Solution: To replace this faulty inverter under Victorian legislation required the use of exactly the same model, or the model recommended as a replacement by the manufacturer. If replacing with another brand or even model, the entire system would need to be brought up to current standards, necessitating the replacement of the entire system.

However, in this case our client was instead presented with a no-fix-no-fee quote to repair the inverter. The faulty relay was found thanks to a small discolouration around it’s solder join on the other side of the circuit board. A replacement relay was obtained from overseas, the relay was replaced, the inverter was tested and re-installed.

End Result: For a total cost of $325.57, the customer’s solar still working at full capacity, it has been over a year since the repair at the time of writing this.

By Stuart Graves

Stuart's been playing with electricity since infancy. After beginning his career with software engineering and IT support, Stuart has returned to his original passion with a mature age apprenticeship and electrician's qualification. This new career has since merged with the previous to provide experience with renewable energy management, automation, monitoring and all things electric vehicles.