Bad Installation

Gavin A · Jan 21, 2015

I think there have been some significant issues with some of those smaller Samils, so it could just be that. Can't remember where I heard that from though.

jason121 · Jan 22, 2015

I have spoken too the various governing bodies. RECC first, they are not interested in helping, pointed me in the direction of the MCS bodies. Napit said if the sub contract MCS installer hadnt registered the installation and main contractor had (customer has no mcs certificate but registered for FIT) it is the responibility of the main contractor to put the job right. Main contractor gone bust. Although the sub contractor did a bad job, its not there responsibility to put it right, although they are still trading.
So I spoke to gemserv to try and find who registered the job, they woudnt tell who had.

Customer will have to prove that they have paid for the installation before releasing the certificate. So still unsure who had done the installation at this point. I managed to find the installer in end when he let the name slip. Found out that it was the installer who gone bust who registered the install.
So in short customer has to pay for all the repairs out his pocket or house insurance if he is covered. What a load of croc.

TedM · Jan 22, 2015

I don't suppose the customer has paperwork on any Workmanship Warranty Insurance?

jason121 · Jan 22, 2015

Nothing only two part p certs

saint · Jan 22, 2015

Gavin A said:
I think there have been some significant issues with some of those smaller Samils, so it could just be that. Can't remember where I heard that from though.

Not that I know of. Got any further info on this? I think samil inverters are very good we have had no issues with them at all. In fact the only inverters we have had problems with are SMA.

Gavin A · Jan 22, 2015

saint said:
Not that I know of. Got any further info on this? I think samil inverters are very good we have had no issues with them at all. In fact the only inverters we have had problems with are SMA.

we've done a lot of the bigger samils with no issue, but I'm sure I heard tell of issues with the smallest samils at one point a couple of years back - I remember it because it was at the time I was quoting on a social housing project that would have involved around 100 of the small samil inverters, so was a bit concerned (didn't happen in the end).

whinmoor · Jan 23, 2015

The problem might be the start-up or MPP voltage on the Samil SolarRiver 1100TL.

It doesn't work very well (possibly not at all!) on cloudy days with 4 regular 250w panels (e.g. Solarworld or REC). You'd be better off going with high voltage panels such as HJ Solar or using a different inverter brand (Omnik, Mastervolt or Solis).

JulianC · Jan 23, 2015

Gavin A said:
we've done a lot of the bigger samils with no issue, but I'm sure I heard tell of issues with the smallest samils at one point a couple of years back - I remember it because it was at the time I was quoting on a social housing project that would have involved around 100 of the small samil inverters, so was a bit concerned (didn't happen in the end).

I do a lot of work for a Birmingham housing association and recently got asked to look at some problematic pv installs. 6 smaller Samils all packed up with the same 'relay fault' so far. 130+ installs in total, put in around 3 years ago. I understand a few more are giving problems.

SibertSolar · Jan 23, 2015

I also recall some early issues with the small Samil units but can't quite put my finger on what it was. As a potential alternative, we have a 1kW unit that has a 60vdc min MPPT rating, suitable for 400-1100Wp depending on panel type.