to some extent, but as detailed above, the lifespan is dependent to a large extent on it's location and if it's ever dusted / fan replaced etc, so the inverter warranties will be based on pretty much worst case scenarios IMO.
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Inverter Lifespan
- Thread starter FB.
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This is almost like one of those answers on QI. Nobody knows. I always tell prospective customers that it is likely that the inverter will need to be replaced during the life of the system and build an appropriate cost plus inflation in to the PVSol economic model to cover.
Don't mind me while I bump some threads in the solar PV forum. If they're not current or applicable topics, just ignore the threads; they'll drop off the page. If they are, feel free to chip in and chat solar stuff in the solar panels forum.
S
sgt_woulds
From experience I would say that inverters with a transformer built pre 2008 can last well over 20 years - I'm talking about SMA SWR 750 - 2500 type inverters. Some that I installed 17 years ago are still working fine - quite a few fitted into lofts - and I've worked on a few that were installed before i joined the industry too.
The main reason is that these old style (G77 era) inverters used good solid components that were properly soldered.
Modern TL inverters are built down to a price with tiny, flow soldered components components, that are far more susceptible to heat and (more importantly) transient voltages. They are inherently less robust.
We used to tell our customers that a good inverter will last 12 - 14 years. Now we tell them 5 - 10 years.
You cannot choose according to brand name either. Fronius are crap. Every single one we fitted after 2010 has failed within 4 years. Mastervolts are almost as bad.
ABB / Aurora inverters had a bad batch from 2008-ish that all failed (E031 - due to soldered components failing in 'unpredicatble' UK temperature fluctuations...) after about 4 - 5 years. And it takes on average 4 - 8 weeks to get a replacement from Italy.
SMA's TL's now last on average 5 years and 6 months, but we had a period of one year where we stopped fitting the SB2500 because of a 99% failure rate. So even amongst one manufacturers range there can be problems. This issue was compounded by SMA denying any issues - even when presented with our installation / failure figures.
The Solarmax S range was bullet proof - the P range all failed within 4 years (probably why Sputnik went bust).
We've only had 2 failures out of all the Samils we've installed some of which are coming up to 10 years old now.
We recommend the fitment of SPD's for anyone with high average voltages (so next to railways, sub-stations - or anyone who lives in Cambridge where we regularly see 260 V mains) - certainly for micro inverters but increasingly for string inverters too. Not that every customer takes that recommendation.
Don't get me started about micro-inverter failures... !
The main reason is that these old style (G77 era) inverters used good solid components that were properly soldered.
Modern TL inverters are built down to a price with tiny, flow soldered components components, that are far more susceptible to heat and (more importantly) transient voltages. They are inherently less robust.
We used to tell our customers that a good inverter will last 12 - 14 years. Now we tell them 5 - 10 years.
You cannot choose according to brand name either. Fronius are crap. Every single one we fitted after 2010 has failed within 4 years. Mastervolts are almost as bad.
ABB / Aurora inverters had a bad batch from 2008-ish that all failed (E031 - due to soldered components failing in 'unpredicatble' UK temperature fluctuations...) after about 4 - 5 years. And it takes on average 4 - 8 weeks to get a replacement from Italy.
SMA's TL's now last on average 5 years and 6 months, but we had a period of one year where we stopped fitting the SB2500 because of a 99% failure rate. So even amongst one manufacturers range there can be problems. This issue was compounded by SMA denying any issues - even when presented with our installation / failure figures.
The Solarmax S range was bullet proof - the P range all failed within 4 years (probably why Sputnik went bust).
We've only had 2 failures out of all the Samils we've installed some of which are coming up to 10 years old now.
We recommend the fitment of SPD's for anyone with high average voltages (so next to railways, sub-stations - or anyone who lives in Cambridge where we regularly see 260 V mains) - certainly for micro inverters but increasingly for string inverters too. Not that every customer takes that recommendation.
Don't get me started about micro-inverter failures... !
F
FB.
Woken from hibernation by an email.......
It's now almost five years since my panels were installed.
Power One Aurora PVI-3600 (indoor version), in downstairs utility room.
8+7 (two strings) Kinve KV250-60M panels (3.75kWp) facing ESE at 40 degrees.
FiT payments so far totalling around £8k. Bill savings hard to quantify. Almost certainly reached 'payback' point with 20years of FiT licence remaining (subject to political interference).
Generation averaging about 3300kWh per year; worst year around 3100kWh, best year around 3500kWh.
Generation tends to be mean-reverting, so if we have an unusually dull spell (small FiT claim in one quarter) it's very often followed by an unusually bright spell (high FiT claim the next quarter).
No noticeable loss of generation as the system ages although variable weather patterns could mask a gradual decline for a few years.
Winter tends to see most days generation below average, with a few bright days pulling up the averages.
Summer tends to see most days above average, with a few very dull days dragging down the averages.
Spring and autumn tend to have a roughly equal mix of above-average and below-average generation.
The only 'problem' is that a couple of years ago the inverter lost its date and time settings, and I know someone else with an identical inverter of similar age that has the same issue.
I haven't investigated because everything is still working and I've been short on time, but I wonder if it might be as simple as a small button-battery needs replacing as is commonly found in electrical devices to retain date/time when they're switched off.
Cheers,
F
It's now almost five years since my panels were installed.
Power One Aurora PVI-3600 (indoor version), in downstairs utility room.
8+7 (two strings) Kinve KV250-60M panels (3.75kWp) facing ESE at 40 degrees.
FiT payments so far totalling around £8k. Bill savings hard to quantify. Almost certainly reached 'payback' point with 20years of FiT licence remaining (subject to political interference).
Generation averaging about 3300kWh per year; worst year around 3100kWh, best year around 3500kWh.
Generation tends to be mean-reverting, so if we have an unusually dull spell (small FiT claim in one quarter) it's very often followed by an unusually bright spell (high FiT claim the next quarter).
No noticeable loss of generation as the system ages although variable weather patterns could mask a gradual decline for a few years.
Winter tends to see most days generation below average, with a few bright days pulling up the averages.
Summer tends to see most days above average, with a few very dull days dragging down the averages.
Spring and autumn tend to have a roughly equal mix of above-average and below-average generation.
The only 'problem' is that a couple of years ago the inverter lost its date and time settings, and I know someone else with an identical inverter of similar age that has the same issue.
I haven't investigated because everything is still working and I've been short on time, but I wonder if it might be as simple as a small button-battery needs replacing as is commonly found in electrical devices to retain date/time when they're switched off.
Cheers,
F
ABB / Power One UNO's and TRIO's - 3.0, 3.6, 10.0, 12.5, 20.0, 27.6 use passive cooling - therefore no fans. The IGBT s are strapped against the heat sink and use air convection for cooling. The newer TRIO's - 20.0 and 27.6 have a small fan inside to cool a capacitor set on the A/C filter boards, but that's it.
Fronius use active cooling method. So a smaller heatsink and therefore unit. But a fan helps the heatsink to convect heat.
I'd say an inverter should last around the 10-15 year mark.
F
FB.
The 2011-model Power One Aurora PVI-3600 (indoor model) that I have definitely sucks in air (top left) and blows out air (middle right). The groan/whine of the fan starts when internal temperature rises to 50'C and stops when it drops to 40'C.
The 2011-model Power One Aurora PVI-3600 (indoor model) that I have definitely sucks in air (top left) and blows out air (middle right). The groan/whine of the fan starts when internal temperature rises to 50'C and stops when it drops to 40'C.
That is a PVI-2000 I believe? I was unaware they had a 3.6KW version?
But yes your right those units have active cooling and hence are a lot smaller.
F
FB.
It's definitely a 3600.
F
FB.
Link to spec sheet for PVI-2000 and PVI-3600.
https://library.e.abb.com/public/24111ae72d47765585257cfa0069b954/pvi-2000_3600_en.pdf
https://library.e.abb.com/public/24111ae72d47765585257cfa0069b954/pvi-2000_3600_en.pdf
Yep, but if kit did not have a built in die date we would all be out of work. If it hasnt broken its an indication your stuff does not have enough features and flashing lights and buzzers. Time to invest in some new kit and have the joy of taking it out of the wrapper, the box the next box the foam and multiple plastic bags. What are you waiting for?
Hi everyone,
If...
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