How Many Years Does Your Solar Panel System Last?

Unacceptable on 16/10/2024 - 11:58
Last edited 16/10/2024 - 12:54 by 2 other users

I have had this Fronius Primo + Qcell 6kw solar system since June 2018 and it’s been working great until last week that I received some random error messages from the inverter through my email.

The error message says “Isolation error - Status code 475”. Reading on Google search it seems it happens when it is foggy or raining days and once sun is out the inverter is up and running. But the problem is it happens quite often now and I’m afraid it’ll cause any damage or risk to the inverter or house if I do nothing (when the error is on the inverter seems to shut down)

Having the system for 6 years I already recouped the expenses I paid (total $4.8k) but I expected the solar system would last over 20 years?

  1. So anyone had the similar issue with this?

  2. Should I call a solar expert or electrician for inspection? (The installer has gone bust a couple of years ago I found out)

  3. Or I should buy a new system?

Electrical & Electronics Fronius Solar Energy System Solar Panel

Comments

    • SBOB on 16/10/2024 - 12:10
      +27

      Just because jv is in the penalty box, doesn't mean you have to actively try and over achieve and fill his spot :)

    • fantombloo on 16/10/2024 - 12:11

      My Solar System

      I'll wager the solar system won't be yours in less than 100 years.

  • SBOB on 16/10/2024 - 12:09
    +3

    This one
    Should I call a solar expert or electrician for inspection? (The installer has gone bust a couple of years ago I found out)

    The fact your installer went just is unfortunate, but also a good advertisement for why it's often wise to weigh up both price and installer.

    It could be an electrical/inverter fault or a wiring issue
    If it's inverter, then they are repairable /replaceable and could still be under warranty from fronius.

    Find a recommended solar installer or two in your area and call to enquire on pricing for call out fee and to investigate the fault.

    • Unacceptable on 16/10/2024 - 12:56

      I thought so but somehow I’m thinking how much it would cost for the call out and it’s still working though it’s on and off.

      • SBOB on 16/10/2024 - 13:29
        +1

        Could be shutting down if it's peak time and your supplier side voltage is too high

        You'd have to do some review of any dashboard/interface info for the inverter along with when it's stopping/starting

        • Unacceptable on 16/10/2024 - 17:29

          It's the other way round, it is warning with the error upon sunrise (or sunset once) and no issue with peak time.

      • notfrodo on 17/10/2024 - 11:58

        How do you get the Fronius inverter to send you an email when an error happens?

        • mattmel96 on 17/10/2024 - 17:47

          Set up their app. Mine sent me a message when inverter didn't answer server pings for a day. Turns out the main breaker had died so system wasn't even turning on.

          • notfrodo on 17/10/2024 - 20:57

            @mattmel96: I had an issue recently where the inverter shutdown with error codes and I didnt know till I accidently checked the inverter display. The inverter was offline for 4 days. The app didnt send me any notification. Is there a setting I need to look for?

            • 2025 on 17/10/2024 - 21:21
              +1

              @notfrodo: Log into the Fronius website Solarweb.com

              Click Overview, then Settings
              Click Profile, then Service Messages
              You can click edit to tick and untick the emails that you want to receive

              • notfrodo on 18/10/2024 - 11:01
                +1

                @2025: Thanks. I dont have an option to tick/untick emails in the Service messages section however I did find that my email address was missing in the Contacts section. Added it there and that has the option to select whether to receive service messages. Hopefully this works.

                • 2025 on 18/10/2024 - 11:46

                  @notfrodo: There are two sections called service messages, if you go to overview then service messages instead of going to settings first, it won’t show the option.

  • geekcohen on 16/10/2024 - 12:11
    +1

    Call and have an inspection, see if it is a quick fix. Could just be some weathering on the wiring and there is a short circuit somewhere.

    My Dad had about 10 years out of his inverter before it died. The panels were fine; it was the inverter.

    If all else fails, get a new system.

    • netjock on 16/10/2024 - 13:11
      +1

      This is why most inverter warranty is 10 years. Neat trick isn't it on manufacturer's part.

  • boomramada on 16/10/2024 - 12:13

    You looking at it incorrectly, I replaced my old one before it hit the 10y mark with more efficient system.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 16/10/2024 - 12:19
    +5

    My panels started to fail at around the 10year mark, but we are only 130m from the seafront, so corrosion was the main factor. Fittings and outside appliances corrode/ages faster in this location.

    • rawm on 17/10/2024 - 10:23
      +12

      only 130m from the seafront

      Nice humblebrag :)

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 17/10/2024 - 12:42
        +3

        Context & humblebrag all in one. It's called the weave. (̿▀̿‿ ̿▀̿ ̿)

  • 87percent on 16/10/2024 - 12:25

    My inverter died a few months ago on my nearly 9 year system. Was quoted $1500 to fix it, but no point as it was only a 2kW system. I've been on the lookout for a 2nd hand inverter, but quite hard to find

    • Ryanek on 16/10/2024 - 15:35
      +5

      2nd hand inverter

      That's sounds like a gamble

    • brendanm on 17/10/2024 - 09:34
      +2

      There are about a million second hand inverters on Facebook marketplace and Gumtree.

    • uzz30 on 17/10/2024 - 14:28

      My 'poor' quality CMA inverters only quit this year after 14 years of service. I looked at the economics of replace vs repair, and for a couple of hundred got a good quality SMA inverter 2nd hand from Gumtree to give the system more life. Edit : System was rated 3kw and still gets up to 2.9kw.

  • trapper on 16/10/2024 - 12:39
    +1

    The solar system should last another 5 billion years or so before the sun expands into a red giant.

    trapper on 16/10/2024 - 12:39 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • Bruceflix on 16/10/2024 - 12:53
      +3

      I'm finding the word giant quite offensive. They prefer to be called plus size

    • trapper on 17/10/2024 - 20:23

      My post was on topic, so they go edit the topic… and then say my post is off-topic. lol

  • Cluster on 16/10/2024 - 12:52
    +6

    My panels were installed 12 years ago and have lost about 15% of their peak generation capacity, but are still going well.

    The inverter broke down in 2018 and again in 2022 and couldn't be repaired. It was replaced and has since more than paid for itself.

    When I had an Aurora inverter I would often get isolation errors (Riso) on foggy mornings, and it would take hours for the moisture to burn away. Since getting a Growatt inverter I haven't had any.

    • netjock on 16/10/2024 - 13:12
      +1

      Panels usually have like 20 year performance warranty to have 80% of rate capacity by then.

      In theory they could go on for a lot longer than that.

      Solar farm contracts are like 25 years with a 5 year option.

      • Cluster on 16/10/2024 - 14:06
        +4

        Yes, they're meant to lose about 1% per year. At the beginning my panels were pushing 4.8kW in summer, but I rarely saw anything above 4kW last summer. Still, it's way too early to think about replacing them. They paid for themselves over five years ago and have saved enough money to install a whole new system with premium panels, but it feels wasteful to dispose of something that still works to ~85% of its capacity.

        • netjock on 16/10/2024 - 14:36
          +3

          might want to check how much dust is on it. Think dust takes off like 5% of output so that could contribute. But the cost of cleaning might not be worth it.

  • cloudy on 16/10/2024 - 13:11
    +2

    My folks panels were installed around 2010, still kicking.

    • Loopholio on 17/10/2024 - 10:45
      +5

      Out of interest, do you know how much they have degraded? The solar panels, not the folks.

  • netjock on 16/10/2024 - 13:13
    +2

    Google search it seems it happens when it is foggy or raining days

    Water ingress. If you turn it off you and dare to go on the roof you can probably locate it yourself (but don't touch or fix it). Take a photo and send it to local solar person to see if they have a fix / seen it / do it.

    • Unacceptable on 16/10/2024 - 13:58

      That’s what I thought - water ingress. But I wonder how I can locate it with my bare eyes. It’s possibly very small.

      • Cluster on 16/10/2024 - 14:08
        +1

        The panels need to be disconnected and individually checked with a megger meter at the time the fault occurs. I had my panels off the roof for a verandah install one winter and megger tested them. One panel briefly faulted (under 1Mohm), but I could never repeat the result.

        It's just not worth looking for the problem.

        • Horacio on 16/10/2024 - 14:28

          Especially as most non-electricians don't own a megger

          • Cluster on 16/10/2024 - 16:03

            @Horacio: I bought one to do the test myself while the panels were off the roof. Cheap ones are under $100.

            • Horacio on 16/10/2024 - 16:05

              @Cluster: Hah! Don't tempt me.. I only just bought a DC clamp meter I could probably have lived without

        • Unacceptable on 16/10/2024 - 15:00

          Wondering what you did after the panel fault finding?

          • Cluster on 16/10/2024 - 16:06

            @Unacceptable: The fault occurred for a few seconds and then went away. No matter how much I tested afterward I couldn't reproduce it, so there's really no point in doing a warranty claim when a tech would remove a panel, test it as fine, and possibly charge for wasting time.

            The Growatt inverter I have now seems much more tolerant of low isolation than the previous Aurora, so it faults maybe twice a year.

      • netjock on 16/10/2024 - 14:38
        +2

        I'd check the isolator on the roof to see the condition of it first.

        This is the isolator switch https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/solar-fires-nsw-mb1829/

        Why do I think the problem is with the isolator. It is the bit which doesn't sit under the panels protect from sun and rain. Lot of them are sealed with clear sealant and drainage is problematic if water gets into the box.

        • Horacio on 16/10/2024 - 14:48

          handy tip!

    • Bren20 on 17/10/2024 - 11:32
      +3

      I had a moisture problem as well, sparky came out and replaced a cable gland and it was fixed

      Absolutely bonkers OP is thinking of getting system replaced when it's probably a minor issue

      • netjock on 17/10/2024 - 12:24

        Nice to hear it ended well.

  • GordonD on 16/10/2024 - 13:16
    +1

    My system was installed in 2009. Nothing has ever gone wrong with it.

    Of course the output is pitifully small. It was only a 1 kW system originally, and that's down to about 600 W. But, hey, because I was an earlier adopter the rebate equaled the cost of installation, so I paid nothing up front. And to encourage people there was a very generous FiT. Still getting it. Another 5 years to go. Its at 48c/kWh.

    • miwahni on 16/10/2024 - 23:01
      +1

      Same, same and same, although I think mine is a 2kw. I will miss the 48c FiT when it ends! Had to have the inverter replaced twice (once under warranty) as the local possum used to use it as a stepping stone into his home in my eaves. No issues since possum moved on.

  • Neeko on 16/10/2024 - 13:59
    +3

    Panels here more than 13 years and can still put out more than their name plate rating based on the inverter reading.

    They were high quality Kyocera panels, and expensive.

    The inverter hasn't missed a beat, touch wood.

    The only problem is that the system is significantly smaller in capacity compared to what would be set up now for 1/4 the cost.

    Not really a problem, the fall in solar price is good. In fact, all the rooftop solar, which can peak at 50% of all generation and rising, is what in itself makes Dutton's nuclear gambit a dangerous nonsense. Inflexible nuclear doesn't fit around the daily 'bulge' of rooftop. Which is set to quadruple again to 85 GW by 2050.

    I would always look to repair not replace, especially if only 6 years old and for an intermittent fault, likely water. That said, call out fees can be a killer.

  • Frederico Z on 16/10/2024 - 15:39
    +1

    After due diligence we installed a Zenenergy system back in 2014. The warranty mentions the panels should be functioning at 85% efficiency after ten years, which is now. As best as I can tell they are working at about 70% to 75% efficiency.

    Additional panels have now been installed by a supposedly reputable company/ brand. Their 25 year warranty is also claiming 85% efficiency after ten years also. I may not be around then so, frankly my dear….

  • Drakesy on 16/10/2024 - 16:09
    +1

    First inverter laster 2.5 years before it cooked itself (Growatt). Luckily had a warranty replacement installed and that's been going for a year now with no issues. Panels are still outputting a fair amount ~ 40kw a day in summer, ~20kw in winter, pity the FiT is next to nothing in WA.

  • JimmyF on 16/10/2024 - 16:14
    -1

    How Many Years Does Your Solar Panel System Last?

    Solar panels? Easily 15 years plus.

    But your inverter, which is what has failed for you will depend, anything from 3-15 years depending on brand, install location etc.

    Is your Fronius Primo still under warranty? These had a 10yr warranty from memory.

  • ihbh on 16/10/2024 - 16:39
    -3

    Check up on statistics.

    If the average life is 10 years, some could die in 6 years, just as some could in 16 years, in a distribution, not all on the dot at 10 years.

  • Hvrd on 16/10/2024 - 19:45

    13 years and counting on solar and inverter - sma sunnyboy

  • spurf on 17/10/2024 - 08:26
    +3

    Mine started throwing this error after heavy rain. Could reset by throwing the DC breaker off and on after the sun had warmed them up. I thought it might be the roof mounted DC breakers that others have said can get full of water. I inspected them (after sunset for safety reasons) and they were bone dry and had no evidence that they had ever had water ingress. I did discover that the installers had not secured the cables under the panels, but instead had left them to lie directly on the colourbond roof and that leaf matter had accumulated on them. Ironically, the isolation was solved by annually hosing out the leaf litter from under the panels. I assume the leaf matter when wet, creates an electrical path between the cables whose insulation must have degraded somewhat, and the roof. My system is 15 years old (2x5kW Samil Invertesr) and is still going strong.

    • netjock on 17/10/2024 - 12:25
      +2

      I did discover that the installers had not secured the cables under the panels, but instead had left them to lie directly on the colourbond roof

      Very incompetent. They probably saved 30 minutes in total but ended up creating a job and headache for other people. Never ceases to amaze me the lazy brain of people.

  • VW-Kombi on 17/10/2024 - 08:29
    +1

    In 2012 mine were installed. Installer put 6kw of panels up for the 5kw inverter (Aurora). So with the loss in age, I still see almost 5kw.

    And every now and again the riso low light comes on (another reported that with Aurora), but no change in operation. It still chugs along.

    I have not bothered getting it looked at as it keeps working. 44c feed in in agl I get. 8c between midnight and 6 and we moved stuff to that period (and the car), and we will not get a bill still.

  • sprocketoctopus on 17/10/2024 - 09:39
    +1

    Just had a inverter replacement, Solaredge, with a new one, after exactly 7 years, under warranty.

    Under warranty for 12 years, but but bought another 8 years to make it 20 years cover. Would not have thought after 7 years it would fail.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 17/10/2024 - 10:16
      +1

      Failure bell curve is high at the start, lower in the middle and higher as things “age out” - so I guess upside down bell.

      20 years is impressive for an inverter - I can’t believe they are offering that.

      • sprocketoctopus on 17/10/2024 - 10:20

        Actually second fault with that initial inverter. Inverter LAN NIC failed. SE really gave me the run around on that one.

        Also, SE do not really include installation as part of the warranty - they make a token payment to installer.

        See here: (Opens to SE Automated Labour Reimbursement)

        https://is.gd/kFRucw

      • Unacceptable on 17/10/2024 - 10:46
        +1

        Fronius offering an extended 10 warranty at $650. Total 20 years.

        • WhyAmICommenting on 17/10/2024 - 12:25

          Wow, my Fronius was 5+5 by registration.

          Hmmm, $650 for another 10…

          • netjock on 18/10/2024 - 09:52
            +1

            @WhyAmICommenting: $650 up front for 10 years on top of 10 years.

            S&P500 10 year return is like 180% so basically it is worth their while

  • surg3on on 17/10/2024 - 11:11

    8 years for the 5kw Solax in the garage. The fan is noisy but its still happily generating power every day. Highest earning investment I've ever made.

    "Isolation error - Status code 475" and "when its wet" screams a short is somewhere. Get it inspected. Sorry :-/

    • netjock on 17/10/2024 - 12:23
      +1

      in the garage

      That is a good place to put it.

      Alternatively under the eves of the house where less sun exposure.

      East side of the house is also good as generally only get the morning sun and not the afternoon heat.

  • Herbse on 17/10/2024 - 13:42

    Whats the brand? Wouldn't you get in touch with them regarding warranty if the installer is not around?

    I went with fronius for my inverter for this reason because they're more likely to still be around and cover any warranty issues rather than the new unknown brands that were popping up at the time of the solar boom.

    • Unacceptable on 17/10/2024 - 15:47

      Maybe I try to contact Fronius about the issue and the installer not around. Will update again.

  • mitt on 17/10/2024 - 17:48

    Inverters gave up after 8, panels were at 60% of rated output when tested before being replaced.

    They degraded far faster than they should have.

  • Herbs on 17/10/2024 - 20:30
    +2

    Similar to spurf's comment above, I had an isolation error fault show on my Fronius inverter too, only happened during light showers or drizzle and the error would clear after the water evaporated. For a few years I couldn't be bothered to get someone in to fix it (electrician cost vs minimal lost solar generated), then one day I decided to get on the roof and clean the panels. I noticed a pile of small twigs and leaves that had accumulated underneath a couple of the panels, once these were cleared I've never had the error again.
    One scary thing though is that some of the leaves had scorch marks on them. A bit scary to think these could've gone up in flames.

  • Name on 17/10/2024 - 21:23

    Replaced a 13 year old system the other month. The system was a 5kw inverter with 5kw of panels. Inverter was sometimes not starting up until I turned it off at the meter, waited 60 seconds and turned it back on. It was also producing a maximum of 3kw on a perfect day, normal day would see a max of around 2kw.

    I had another system at old house, inverter died within 2 years. It was replaced under warranty but the installer went bust (was a cheap installer), I had to go direct to the manufacturer and rang around to find a solar installer who'd remove and replace the broken one. From memory (it was a decade or so ago) it was fairly cheap. Think I paid about $150 for the electrician to replace it. But was hard finding someone who was willing to do it. Most people didn't want to touch other installs particularly where the installer had gone bust.

  • ricerocket on 18/10/2024 - 08:03

    I had exactly the same issue with different inverter and panels! It started earlier this year but since stopped until the storm a week or so ago. My system was put in early 2019.

    After the storm, it was beeping for 2 days straight, so I thought it was completely cooked and turned it off at the isolators and mainboard. Forward 1 week and had a specialist out yesterday….of course it worked perfectly. He said that it could be due to moisture getting into the isolators on the roof (Which were no longer a requirement for installs) or possibly the connectors on the roof.

  • whitepuma on 18/10/2024 - 08:38

    my parents were just telling me the other day that their inverter died on their solar panels. Can't tell you how long they have been installed for, but i know it's fallen outside of their warranty window….These inverters seem to be a common problem.

    • netjock on 18/10/2024 - 09:48

      Inverters are guaranteed to fail before panels do. In fact there is a good likelihood of it failing close to / just pass the 10 year mark because that is where the warranties go up to.

      They can afford to hire someone to do the math on failure rates at each year and determine the marketing value is worth more than replacement.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 18/10/2024 - 09:11
    +1

    My first panels and inverter died at around the 9.5 year mark. The company who supplied and installed it tried to shirk away from the warranty claim. Took them to VCAT and literally 2 days before the hearing they called me to cancel the hearing and they'll replace the system.

    5 days later, I got 20 new panels + inverter installed at no charge.

    • bohn on 18/10/2024 - 09:39

      That's how superintendents do it.

  • termx on 18/10/2024 - 10:16

    Guaranteed there is moisture ingress in the rooftop isolator. I'd recommend turning the inverter off until you can get a qualified electrician to inspect the system.

    Here's a handy list of some Fronius error codes:

    https://www.solarrepairservice.com.au/post/fronius-inverter-…

  • Guesty on 18/10/2024 - 11:00
    +1

    It'd be worthwhile contacting Fronius customer service as the inverters have a 10year warranty.

    We had a Fronius Primo 5.0 give up the ghost a couple of months ago that was installed back in 2017. Complete circuit board was replaced at no cost.

    For reference, the error on mine was 314 - Start-up Process interrupted(AC or DC Failure)

  • pencilman on 18/10/2024 - 11:03

    Feedback like this is such a disincentive for solar.
    We have to buy and install the panels with pay back period over several years.
    And then when the system is paid off and supposed to save money, there's the significant chance it will fail and need more costs.

    • ricerocket on 18/10/2024 - 11:43

      Back when feed in tariffs were actually fair, it was pretty enticing to get a system put in. With the rubbish rates they charge now, plus many of the energy plans charging MORE if you want a solar plan, there is very little incentive to fork out $$ unless you're a high energy user during the day, imo.

    • Charmoffensive on 18/10/2024 - 12:01

      there's the significant chance it will fail and need more costs.

      The word "significant" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence.

      I think the chance of failure over the 5-10 years it will take to pay itself back is very low. You're much more likely to simply lose about 10-20% efficiency.

  • tessel on 18/10/2024 - 13:00

    As mentioned the inverter will fail before the panels. However, really depends on the brand of panel. You do get what you pay for. There's nothing wrong with budget/cheap panels but some budget brands had major problems, Trina but at least they honoured warranty etc.

  • Roe Jogan on 18/10/2024 - 13:51

    way i see it is, i spent $6k on a 13kw system fully installed, if it lasts 3 years (that's how long it takes for it to pay itself off) because i was getting 500 dollar bills per quarter and since installation i don't pay a single dollar so 3 years, what ever period it lasts after that is free electricity.

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