I installed a grid-tie solar panel system in 2017. It consists of 32 Solarworld 285 panels (7600w @220v AC; 10,260w DC) connected to a SolarEdge SE10000A-US inverter. Earlier this month (Sept 2023), my inverter suddenly stopped working -- again, no error codes, no lights, just complete failure. My system has several surge protectors in line, and they are still active and working properly, so the failure was not due to something like a lightning strike or grid surge.
This inverter is the 3rd SolarEdge inverter since I purchased the first one for about $5k in 2017. SolarEdge is now sending me the 4th replacement inverter under warranty (good through 2041). So, I've had 4 inverters in 6 years of operation. At this failure rate, I will replace the inverter another dozen times by 2041, assuming SolarEdge is even in business then, which seems dubious to me given the unreliability of its inverters.
SolarEdge keeps sending me a refurbished inverter to replace the ones that failed, since it no longer makes the SE10000A inverter. This time, however, SolarEdge is sending me a newer inverter, but I'm skeptical that it will work any better than the last 4 have worked.
Under SolarEdge's warranty, there is no reimbursement for labor when I have to schedule my installer to inspect the failed inverter and re-install a replacement inverter. So I end up paying $250 or so with each re-installation. The replacement process usually requires my installer to come out, open up the inverter and verify that the failure is not due to a lightning strike, report that to SolarEdge, who then sends a new inverter after waiting 2+ weeks for SolarEdge's bureaucracy to ship the replacement. Then, my installer has to schedule me into his work queue. My system is typically down for a 4-6 weeks to make the replacement.
Has anyone else had similar reliability/quality problems with SolarEdge's inverters? An inverter that's warrantied for 25 years should not have to be replaced 4 times in 6 years.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a reliable replacement inverter that is not SolarEdge?
This inverter is the 3rd SolarEdge inverter since I purchased the first one for about $5k in 2017. SolarEdge is now sending me the 4th replacement inverter under warranty (good through 2041). So, I've had 4 inverters in 6 years of operation. At this failure rate, I will replace the inverter another dozen times by 2041, assuming SolarEdge is even in business then, which seems dubious to me given the unreliability of its inverters.
SolarEdge keeps sending me a refurbished inverter to replace the ones that failed, since it no longer makes the SE10000A inverter. This time, however, SolarEdge is sending me a newer inverter, but I'm skeptical that it will work any better than the last 4 have worked.
Under SolarEdge's warranty, there is no reimbursement for labor when I have to schedule my installer to inspect the failed inverter and re-install a replacement inverter. So I end up paying $250 or so with each re-installation. The replacement process usually requires my installer to come out, open up the inverter and verify that the failure is not due to a lightning strike, report that to SolarEdge, who then sends a new inverter after waiting 2+ weeks for SolarEdge's bureaucracy to ship the replacement. Then, my installer has to schedule me into his work queue. My system is typically down for a 4-6 weeks to make the replacement.
Has anyone else had similar reliability/quality problems with SolarEdge's inverters? An inverter that's warrantied for 25 years should not have to be replaced 4 times in 6 years.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a reliable replacement inverter that is not SolarEdge?
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