Solar Production Question

[Echo Lodge]

I have a 16 panel system (300w panels). I just noticed starting in July one of my panels started producing less than the other 15 panels. In July the panel in question produced 90% of what the others were doing. August was 71%. Sept through Dec is 66%. All the panels are clean. There is no changes in terms of possible shading. Do I have a panel failing or is it the Enphase inverter for the panel that is going bad? I sent an email @BasilHayden. Just wondering if there is a way for me to troubleshoot it.

 

[Mikes56]

Following your post

 

[sintax]

thats interesting.

any chance that panel is somehow getting shaded ??

I have one that also is not performing as well as the others as well, but its not quite as bad as yours.

tagged

 

[CCXHAL]

Had the same problem. Called Palomar and they came out and fixed it. Took a while, but they fixed it.

 

[Echo Lodge]

thats interesting.

any chance that panel is somehow getting shaded ??

I have one that also is not performing as well as the others as well, but its not quite as bad as yours.

tagged

No shade... Southern exposure!

 

[Echo Lodge]

Had the same problem. Called Palomar and they came out and fixed it. Took a while, but they fixed it.

No doubt they will take care of it if there is an issue. Just was hoping I could save everyone the trouble if I can fix it.

 

[socal0487]

No doubt they will take care of it if there is an issue. Just was hoping I could save everyone the trouble if I can fix it.

Could be a faulty microinverter. Call Enphase with the serial number and they can run a test on it.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Which model micro? Makes a big difference. What you are describing sounds like a textbook micro failure

 

[HTTP404]

At the rate they manufacture these things there will be failures on some units. Hopefully you went with a solid contractor.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

At the rate they manufacture these things there will be failures on some units. Hopefully you went with a solid contractor.

The m250 was the one with most issues.. it’s a rarity to see them fail in newer stuff. Enphase stepped up though and has/d a swap program.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Which model micro? Makes a big difference. What you are describing sounds like a textbook micro failure

Enphase M250-240

 

[Echo Lodge]

Could be a faulty microinverter. Call Enphase with the serial number and they can run a test on it.

Do I just count down 14 inverters from the system's menu on the app? I'm not sure how they are listed in the app. Or I guess I can try to look for the serial number on the inverter under the solar panel.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Enphase M250-240

You should be covered under replacement program. Potentially for all of them. You’re welcome to DM me and I’ll put you in touch with the right ppl

 

[Done-it-again]

Do I just count down 14 inverters from the system's menu on the app? I'm not sure how they are listed in the app. Or I guess I can try to look for the serial number on the inverter under the solar panel. View attachment 1317134

Try and go to your “enlighten manager” full site, then click “view” and click on the panel that has the issue and the click in the serial number that pops up. It Might tell you of there is an issue with the inverter.

 

[Echo Lodge]

You should be covered under replacement program. Potentially for all of them. You’re welcome to DM me and I’ll put you in touch with the right ppl

Thanks for the info and offer. I will wait for Palomar Solar to return from their holiday break to see what they recommend first.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Try and go to your “enlighten manager” full site, then click “view” and click on the panel that has the issue and the click in the serial number that pops up. It Might tell you of there is an issue with the inverter.

Worked! Thanks.

Looks simple but I am glad Palomar will hopefully handle!

 

[socal0487]

Thanks for the info and offer. I will wait for Palomar Solar to return from their holiday break to see what they recommend first.

Enphase will open a warranty ticket and if it is the micro they will send a replacement. Pretty easy to swap. Just need the enphase tool and enphase manager site to swap serial numbers.

 

[Track Man]

Panels only last 15 to 20 years. Specially made in China panels. three of my neighbors up where I live off Grid have replaced their panels last summer They’re like 20 years old. Also, the heat in Havasu I don’t think are good for panels. When my one neighbor had his panels changed last summer, they left the panels. He said it was up to him to get rid of them. He had 26 panels. Cost him $100 apiece to dispose of them. $2,600. Their hazardous waste.

 

[Xring01]

I agree with most on the thread…
The most likely culprit is the Micro Invertor…

The key reason why, most of its components or it, come from China. Enphase is probably the best Micro Invertor on the market. But they are not immune from poor components in the manufacturing process.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Got a call back. Rep said she sees low voltage and its probably the panel. I asked about the inverter and she didn't think it was the issue. I also asked if she could have Enphase check it. She said she could see if they could push an update to it. The 300w LG panel is no longer available. They have some 320w panels.

The closest panel we have in stock to your LG300W (BB) panels are LG320W (BB) so you will be receiving slightly more production for the cost of a lower wattage panel.

Cost of LG320W – $450.00 (Due upon site visit completion. Our accounting department will email you an invoice that can be paid online)

Cost of site visit – N/A due to being a Palomar Solar installed system.

If LG by chance sends us a replacement from their old stock (unfortunately unlikely), you will be credited the full $450.

If instead LG issues a credit, Palomar Solar & Roofing will send you a check for the credited amount, which could be between $100-$200.

So looks like I could be hit for up to $350 for the repair. 4 to 6 week time frame.

 

[Done-it-again]

Got a call back. Rep said she sees low voltage and its probably the panel. I asked about the inverter and she didn't think it was the issue. I also asked if she could have Enphase check it. She said she could see if they could push an update to it. The 300w LG panel is no longer available. They have some 320w panels.

The closest panel we have in stock to your LG300W (BB) panels are LG320W (BB) so you will be receiving slightly more production for the cost of a lower wattage panel.

Cost of LG320W – $450.00 (Due upon site visit completion. Our accounting department will email you an invoice that can be paid online)

Cost of site visit – N/A due to being a Palomar Solar installed system.

If LG by chance sends us a replacement from their old stock (unfortunately unlikely), you will be credited the full $450.

If instead LG issues a credit, Palomar Solar & Roofing will send you a check for the credited amount, which could be between $100-$200.

So looks like I could be hit for up to $350 for the repair. 4 to 6 week time frame.

Not warrantied because the wattage of the panel is not the same anymore? Seems panel W changes almost yearly, then why the 15 yr or so warranty?

 

[Echo Lodge]

Not warrantied because the wattage of the panel is not the same anymore? Seems panel W changes almost yearly, then why the 15 yr or so warranty?

LG, as a parent company, has been issuing credit as a way to keep the “LG” name in good standing. If you would like to move forward with the work order to replace the panel, we can replace with one of our panels at cost, $450. We will then submit the required documentation to LG for them to begin the credit process.

I hope it's the inverter! Or I am out $450 with the chance of a partial credit of $100 to $200.

From Palomar. LG doesn't make panels anymore. So if any other panels have issues in the future I will be responsible for most of the replacement costs I guess.

 

[Cole Trickle]

I had a panel that started to under produce and palomar came out and replaced it.

 

[Echo Lodge]

I had a panel that started to under produce and palomar came out and replaced it.

Was it an LG panel?

 

[BasilHayden]

I have a 16 panel system (300w panels). I just noticed starting in July one of my panels started producing less than the other 15 panels. In July the panel in question produced 90% of what the others were doing. August was 71%. Sept through Dec is 66%. All the panels are clean. There is no changes in terms of possible shading. Do I have a panel failing or is it the Enphase inverter for the panel that is going bad? I sent an email @BasilHayden. Just wondering if there is a way for me to troubleshoot it.

View attachment 1316557 View attachment 1316558 View attachment 1316559 View attachment 1316560 View attachment 1316561

Just back from the holidays, also noted my team has talked to you, but if its 66% then most likely a panel issue, I will check and get back to you.

 

[BasilHayden]

LG, as a parent company, has been issuing credit as a way to keep the “LG” name in good standing. If you would like to move forward with the work order to replace the panel, we can replace with one of our panels at cost, $450. We will then submit the required documentation to LG for them to begin the credit process.

I hope it's the inverter! Or I am out $450 with the chance of a partial credit of $100 to $200.

From Palomar. LG doesn't make panels anymore. So if any other panels have issues in the future I will be responsible for most of the replacement costs I guess.

Of course you are a long time customer and RDP so maybe you know someone who can make something work for you. Unfortunately as we grow not everyone knows what RDP means to us as a company, always best to pass me a note directly so i can intervene.

Stand by,

 

[Echo Lodge]

Of course you are a long time customer and RDP so maybe you know someone who can make something work for you. Unfortunately as we grow not everyone knows what RDP means to us as a company, always best to pass me a note directly so i can intervene.

Stand by,

Awesome, thanks for reaching out to me!

 

[BasilHayden]

I agree with most on the thread…
The most likely culprit is the Micro Invertor…

The key reason why, most of its components or it, come from China. Enphase is probably the best Micro Invertor on the market. But they are not immune from poor components in the manufacturing process.

Unfortunately you are most likely not correct, are there micro failures? Occasionally, but not common, much more common are panel issues, especially when noting a 1/3 or 2/3 issue in production. That said the difference with us is at least we will answer the phone and try to help. Even if it resulted in a fee to eplace the panel close to 10 years after install? This is much better than what most go through.

 

[BasilHayden]

Awesome, thanks for reaching out to me!

It is definitely the panel, we will be swapping it out to a 320 from our old stock. As a longtime RDP member you wont be paying the fee as quoted and we will take whatever LG offers as a warrantee as our reimbursement for the panel we provide.

Be patient as we will be doing the swap when we come up to install a system in Fountain Valley for another RDP member soon.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

It is definitely the panel, we will be swapping it out to a 320 from our old stock. As a longtime RDP member you wont be paying the fee as quoted and we will take whatever LG offers as a warrantee as our reimbursement for the panel we provide.

Be patient as we will be doing the swap when we come up to install a system in Fountain Valley for another RDP member soon.

Service like this unfortunately doesn’t always occur in our industry. You run a clean ship, which is why you are held in high regard by those of us in the industry.

@BasilHayden for the win!

 

[Echo Lodge]

It is definitely the panel, we will be swapping it out to a 320 from our old stock. As a longtime RDP member you wont be paying the fee as quoted and we will take whatever LG offers as a warrantee as our reimbursement for the panel we provide.

Be patient as we will be doing the swap when we come up to install a system in Fountain Valley for another RDP member soon.

Thank you Sir! I appreciate it!

 

[Echo Lodge]

Thank you Palomar (@BasilHayden) for fixing the issue with my system. Apparently both the inverter and panel had issues and were swapped out.

 

[BasilHayden]

It was the panel, but enphase gave us an inverter for you so we swapped it anyway as the new ones actually are better. But ... your roof is in need of attention, just fyi

I will have one of my guys get you a quote, but you wont like it. Not much time is left on these shingles. The granuals are gone and the fiberglass is coming out so I suggest you think about it sooner than later.

 

[Echo Lodge]

It was the panel, but enphase gave us an inverter for you so we swapped it anyway as the new ones actually are better. But ... your roof is in need of attention, just fyi

View attachment 1326943

I will have one of my guys get you a quote, but you wont like it. Not much time is left on these shingles. The granuals are gone and the fiberglass is coming out so I suggest you think about it sooner than later.

I replaced the back of the house before I had you guys install the solar. I did the tear off myself. Will never do that again. I should have done the entire roof. I hired a guy to help me with the install. It was fun learning and helping. The estimate only needs to be the north side of my house. Was also thinking of possibly a steel roof. Not sure if you guys install them tho.