Solar Generation Issues, Inverter Is Only Generating 75 W

djc on 12/01/2023 - 14:15
Last edited 13/01/2023 - 16:28

Hi,

Before I pay someone out to look at the system, I want to check if anyone has any ideas on what I can do.

I've tried resetting the inverter by disconnecting the AC and then the DC and turning it all back on. No luck.

2 Months ago, it was generating over 5,000 W and now it's only showing 75 W. What are the normal things to look for, please?

Another issue, I'm struggling to connect to the inverter via Bluetooth. What app do I use?
Got this working

Manufacturer: Solis
Model: Solis-1P5K-4G-MX

Thanks,

DC

Home & Garden

Comments

  • lgacb08 on 12/01/2023 - 14:28
    +5

    Is the system still in warranty? If yes then get installer to come and have a look at it. But being solis I guess installer is not that great either.
    One of the thing you could do is turn of one string of a time so see, assuming it's a multi string system. But you need to get to the rooftop to do that.

  • Fergy1987 on 12/01/2023 - 14:38

    I'd be more worried about the 75W problem before the bluetooth problem.

    • djc on 13/01/2023 - 09:30

      I am

    • djc on 13/01/2023 - 11:23

      I only mentioned this as the app might be able to tell me more

  • Drakesy on 12/01/2023 - 15:06
    +1

    Is it just during peak generation times - many states will remotely shut down your inverter if the voltage of the grid is too high (this tends to happen a fair bit during summer). There may have been an influx of solar installations into your area, if it reverts to normal outside of say 10-2pm then this would likely be the culprit.

    Else likely the inverted may be cooked.

    • djc on 13/01/2023 - 09:36

      Just looked (8:35 am) and it’s generating 79 W

      • Drakesy on 13/01/2023 - 12:40

        Sounds like it may be cooked then :(
        Warranty jobby.

  • brendanm on 12/01/2023 - 15:43

    Does your inverter have a display on it? Is it showing any errors? Is it showing voltage from the strings? As drakesy said above, it may be shutting down due to grid overvoltage.

    • djc on 13/01/2023 - 09:44

      V_DC1: 327.3V
      I_DC: 00.1A
      V_DC2: 484.4V
      I_DC2: 00.1A
      V_Grid: 239.4V
      I_Grid: 01.5A
      Status: Generating
      Power: 75W
      Grid Frequency F_Grid: 49.97Hz
      This Month: 14kwh
      Last Month: 37kwh
      Today: 0.3kwh
      Yesterday: 1.2kwh
      Export_P: +0000W
      Export_I: 00.0A

  • GordonD on 12/01/2023 - 15:51
    +2

    The first thing I'd check is whether the inverter has shut down because the mains voltage is too high because there are too many other solar installations in the area. This is something inverters are designed to do. If they see that the mains voltage is already too high they stay off. If after they've started operating the mains voltage rises too high, they switch off.

    I'd look for it first because its the most common reason domestic solar installations in urban areas aren't pushing out power. And if its the cause of the problem you'll have saved yourself the cost of a service call, because the service guy can't fix it.

    Volt/power meters that plug into a power point are available for $20-$30. You plug it in and read the voltage.

    That said, if that is the problem, my understanding is that it should be generating zero watts.

  • SBOB on 12/01/2023 - 18:56

    Assuming you have the solar cells split across both of the 2 mppts, that would point to it not being a solar panel issue (ie one fault panel ruining a string wouldn't impact the other string) and definitely an inverter issue.

  • JIMB0 on 13/01/2023 - 12:36

    Are you sure it's not actually generating more but just saying 75w.

    • djc on 13/01/2023 - 14:00

      How would I know?

      • JIMB0 on 13/01/2023 - 14:47

        Check your power usage during the day. Use one of those consumption monitors that the door knockers were giving away for free or check on your energy distributors website.

      • Hackney on 13/01/2023 - 16:06

        Do you not have an app, that tells you what you are actually generating & consumption is?

        • djc on 13/01/2023 - 16:36

          Finally managed to get this working but it's currently not showing me those details …

          https://imgur.com/a/IUJotws

          • SBOB on 13/01/2023 - 16:44

            @djc: voltage but no current.
            could be a failure in the inverter
            Considering its on both strings being a panel issue is less likely if it just happened.

            nothing you can do but get an elec to look, and if its not under warranty could be a costly inverter repair or replacement

            • GordonD on 13/01/2023 - 17:10

              @SBOB:

              less likely if it just happened

              But it didn't just happen. Look at the numbers the OP quotes further up - 14 kWh this month so far and only 37 kWh for the whole of last month - its been like this for months. Its generating barely over 1 kWh per day. And none exported.

              • SBOB on 13/01/2023 - 17:13

                @GordonD: True, thoigh having both strings fail around same time would be less likely than an inverter fault (condering the gear mentioned by the OP)

                Either way, an electrician visit is in their future.

  • djc on 13/01/2023 - 18:52

    Now that I have it reporting usage through the app, I received the following alarm (via email):

    Alarm code: 1034
    Alarm time: 2023-01-13 17:13:33
    Alarm content: Leakage Current Protection
    Processing method: 1. Connect each string component individually to determine if it is caused by a component problem. If there is no error when inserting one of the string components, it can be determined that it is a string problem. Check whether the string in question is broken or not. 2. If this error is only caused by a rainy day or a certain time of the morning, it is because the aging of the module causes the leakage current to be too large. When the weather is fine or the air humidity is reduced, the error will be cleared automatically. Can be resolved through remote upgrade software

    • SBOB on 13/01/2023 - 19:02

      Electrician problem to perform tests on each string and identify the cause

  • djc on 24/01/2023 - 15:18

    Update, Electrician came out and tested all the components. The strings appear to be functioning properly, including DC and AC switches. Problem appears to be within the inverter.

    To the Warranty Mobile …

  • djc on 18/03/2023 - 09:07
    +1

    Final (late) update, Solis confirmed there was an issue with the Inverter and had a brand new one installed the next day.

    Must say, their warranty process is fast!

    DC

    • lgacb08 on 19/03/2023 - 06:02

      Ah, thank you for being nice to come back with an update. You might as well sent a copy of your last bill to them to request compensation for extra electricity costs.

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