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Will a new inverter do?

J

JT1961

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2024
Messages
7
Location
California
Hello,

My name is Javier. I am in Bakersfield, California. I've had a solar system since 2005. My inverter has decided to quit. A technician from a company called Energy Aid came to check my system and wrote in his report:

" There was a faulty fuse inside of the inverter top compartment on the
main circuit board. I removed it and replaced it after it failed a
continuity test. The ground fault cleared, but then the system showed
not enough sunlight to produce.
This was clearly not the case as shown by the voltage readings
above. After this was noted, I went on the roof and inspected the
system and found no damage or legitimate reason to believe there
was a issue with the system other than the inverter.
The wire splice box on the roof was in good condition, and no water
intrusion or damage on the interior. All wire nuts were clean and
installed correctly. Wire was in good condition.
No noticeable damage on the panels either.
To fix this system we will have to replace the outdated Xantrex
inverter, which is out of warranty."

Then a supervisor of his called me and told me that the whole system is faulty, just getting a new inverter would be a waste of my money, and I should replace the whole system with them for 30k.

I am leaning to just follow the technician's advice and risk it with a new inverter. I am asking the nice people in this forum if this is sound and if so, maybe some suggestions for the inverter I should get and maybe a company who will install it.

I have attached the whole report, just in case anyone has the patience to go over it.

I will appreciate all the help received.

Cheers!

Javier
 

Attachments

  • inspection_edited.pdf
    4.6 MB · Views: 19
IMHO, the tech is more likely to be right than the supervisor. Replacing the inverter is one piece of replacing the entire system. They could send an electrician out to replace the inverter. If that doesn't work, they then can send a crew to replace the panels and attach them to the new inverter. Where is the wasted money? Unless you need a larger system. A replacement system may move you NEM 3, which would be bad.
 
Yeah it sounds like incompetence on the part of the manager.or maybe an extreme aversion to risk.

You might be able to pay an electrician to replace the inverter with a similar one and bypass the solar company completely.
 
Normally, I would think just change the inverter, but where in a solar install does a wire splice or wire nuts belong?

I can’t think of anywhere that can be found in my house installation with the contractor.

On my RV install, I did use butt crimps for connecting 10 AWG to 6 AWG, but no splice or wire nuts.
 
Yes, replace it, especially if you know an electrician. If not, network here on the forum for someone nearby to help you. A small grid-tie inverter would be cheap now days. Certainly, don't spend big money.
Oop's, I forgot
Call the PG&E SNEM Paired Storage people @ 877 743-4112 and tell them you want to maintain your NEM status but want to replace your old obsolete inverter and add batteries but not enlarge the system. Tell them you also want to apply for the $200. per KWH SGIP battery refund.
 
Last edited:
If your whole system is of the 2005 vintage, your solar panels are likely producing in the 80 to 85 percent output range of there original nameplate capacity. Most panels of that era were in the 12 to 14% efficientcy range.
New panels now are in the 20% efficiency range.
Personally, I would just replace/repair the inverter. I would not install anything new with the permitting process in Cali. I would only do "repairs"/replacement as to "skirt" any red tape with utlities that would place you into NEM3.0 (no return on investment).

Your 125 Amp service panel limits you on how much solar you can return to the grid.
 
If you can replace the inverter dirt cheap then I would do that, you could probably find a working used same or similar model if you hunt around. But after that you might as well go ahead and replace the panels too because they are low powered compared to what you can get today.
 
Do a little research into those particular BP 4175B panel. They were pretty much the reason BP went out of business in the PV world. They spent billions replacing their systems under warranty due to faulty J-box design. If there's any way to do an extended load test this may show the production problem.
www.bpsolarsettlement.com

BP Solar Settlement

If you have BP Solar Panels You May Be Entitled to Replacement of the Solar Panels and/or a New Inverter from a Class Action Settlement.
www.bpsolarsettlement.com www.bpsolarsettlement.com

www.bpsolarsettlement.com

BP Solar Settlement

BP Solar Settlement, BP, Solar Settlement, BP Panels, Solar Panels, Solar Panel, Solar roof panels, Home depot solar panels, Solar Panel recall, Solar panel fire danger, solar panel fire hazard, solar panel burn mark, solar panel junction box, solar panel junction box fire danger, solar panel...
www.bpsolarsettlement.com www.bpsolarsettlement.com
 

Attachments

  • BP Solar recall model and serial #'s.pdf
    27.1 KB · Views: 1
Last edited:
Gold Country Russ said:
Yes, replace it, especially if you know an electrician. If not, network here on the forum for someone nearby to help you. A small grid-tie inverter would be cheap now days. Certainly, don't spend big money.
Oop's, I forgot
Call the PG&E SNEM Paired Storage people @ 877 743-4112 and tell them you want to maintain your NEM status but want to replace your old obsolete inverter and add batteries but not enlarge the system. Tell them you also want to apply for the $200. per KWH SGIP battery refund.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the advise.
 
sumpower said:
If your whole system is of the 2005 vintage, your solar panels are likely producing in the 80 to 85 percent output range of there original nameplate capacity. Most panels of that era were in the 12 to 14% efficientcy range.
New panels now are in the 20% efficiency range.
Personally, I would just replace/repair the inverter. I would not install anything new with the permitting process in Cali. I would only do "repairs"/replacement as to "skirt" any red tape with utlities that would place you into NEM3.0 (no return on investment).

Your 125 Amp service panel limits you on how much solar you can return to the grid.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for the advice.
 
littleharbor2 said:
Do a little research into those particular BP 4175B panel. They were pretty much the reason BP went out of business in the PV world. They spent billions replacing their systems under warranty due to faulty J-box design. If there's any way to do an extended load test this may show the production problem.
www.bpsolarsettlement.com

BP Solar Settlement

If you have BP Solar Panels You May Be Entitled to Replacement of the Solar Panels and/or a New Inverter from a Class Action Settlement.
www.bpsolarsettlement.com www.bpsolarsettlement.com

www.bpsolarsettlement.com

BP Solar Settlement

BP Solar Settlement, BP, Solar Settlement, BP Panels, Solar Panels, Solar Panel, Solar roof panels, Home depot solar panels, Solar Panel recall, Solar panel fire danger, solar panel fire hazard, solar panel burn mark, solar panel junction box, solar panel junction box fire danger, solar panel...
www.bpsolarsettlement.com www.bpsolarsettlement.com
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. I've also contacted the bpsolarsettlement group.
 
JT1961 said:
Hello,

My name is Javier. I am in Bakersfield, California. I've had a solar system since 2005. My inverter has decided to quit. A technician from a company called Energy Aid came to check my system and wrote in his report:

" There was a faulty fuse inside of the inverter top compartment on the
main circuit board. I removed it and replaced it after it failed a
continuity test. The ground fault cleared, but then the system showed
not enough sunlight to produce.
This was clearly not the case as shown by the voltage readings
above. After this was noted, I went on the roof and inspected the
system and found no damage or legitimate reason to believe there
was a issue with the system other than the inverter.
The wire splice box on the roof was in good condition, and no water
intrusion or damage on the interior. All wire nuts were clean and
installed correctly. Wire was in good condition.
No noticeable damage on the panels either.
To fix this system we will have to replace the outdated Xantrex
inverter, which is out of warranty."

Then a supervisor of his called me and told me that the whole system is faulty, just getting a new inverter would be a waste of my money, and I should replace the whole system with them for 30k.

I am leaning to just follow the technician's advice and risk it with a new inverter. I am asking the nice people in this forum if this is sound and if so, maybe some suggestions for the inverter I should get and maybe a company who will install it.

I have attached the whole report, just in case anyone has the patience to go over it.

I will appreciate all the help received.

Cheers!

Javier
Click to expand...
I want to thank everyone who replied to my message. I think I will follow the advise and just try to replace the inverter. So, here are my next questions:
1. Does any of you know a good replacement for the Xantrex Inverter Model GT3.0? Or what are the things I should look for, when searching for the replacement?
2. Does any of you recommend where to buy it or should I just run it online?
3. Are there any good electricians in the Kern County area who would install it?
As you can see, I am the most ignorant on these matters. I therefore will appreciate all the help. Thanks.
Javier
 
If
JT1961 said:
I want to thank everyone who replied to my message. I think I will follow the advise and just try to replace the inverter. So, here are my next questions:
1. Does any of you know a good replacement for the Xantrex Inverter Model GT3.0? Or what are the things I should look for, when searching for the replacement?
Click to expand...

If you can wait, I would get the Growatt SPH10000TL- HU-US. It should be coming out soon.

Sol-Ark 5k-2p is $4,500, and the Sol-Ark 8k is $5,000.

Any of those options will give you the ability to add more solar and batteries.

If you just want a PV only replacement, then the Growatt MIN 3800TL-XH-US. It takes a 400v battery, but you can use it without.
 
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