Inverter Packed up, Advise on a replacement and someone in South Wales to install please?

[deeyup]

Morning all,

I've not needed to be here for a long while.
My power one pvi 3.0-outd, has malfunctioned today.
I'm getting Error E031, I can hear the relays clicking away.
I found an Australian youtube video on it, and they seem to think although it can be repaired, it seems its not worth it.

It was installed November 2011, so out of warranty.

Can I please get some advise on what to fit in its place?
I have 13 Sanyo 235 panels, installed in two strings, 6 and 7 modules.
There is partial shading on 2 panels early in the morning.

The Power One has been ok, but I was thinking of maybe something with a longer warranty?

Any replies greatly appreciated.

Oh, and btw, I'm in Cardiff so will need it fitted. Is this something the electrician I use for house wiring etc can do, or will I need a solar specialist?
Any recommendations for a local PV, as there is no way I'd use the original fitter who are Ayjay Group in Bedwas.

 

[deeyup]

Update on this, I spoke to ABB, and they have offered an UNO DM PLUS 3.3 KW replacement for £625 plus vat fitted, or a 4.0 KW for £675, with a 5 year warranty, upgradable for a few hundred to 10 years.

Unsure if any benefit in going for a 4.0 kw inverter on a 3.055 setup?
Opinions on this option please?
Thanks

 

[whinmoor]

This error code is sadly quite common and the unit does need replacing.

I definitely wouldn't go for the 4.0. It's really too big unless you're planning to add extra panels. If you're going to change brands of inverter, I'd suggest getting in a solar specialist. As you have strings of unequal length, you need to ensure you get an inverter with 2 mppts (aka twin-tracker).

The £625 quote isn't extortionate although it's quite painful as a one-off hit. But, every day your system isn't working is costing you a few quid.

 

[deeyup]

Thank you Whinmoor for your reply.
I went to a show on the NEC today where a stand recommended replacing with a Solax.
£300 plus vat and fitting.

I will spend the weekend considering options as I may well invest in a hybrid inverter with a battery bank.

Cheers.

 

[whinmoor]

You mentioned that two of your panels suffer shading. I don't know how the Solax handles that but the ABB has a scanning feature (called "Multiple Max Scan") to enhance output which I guess their technician would enable for you.
The shading may have been the reason why you were specced a Power One to begin with.

 

[deeyup]

Yes, the power one was specified because of the shading, but by me, not the installer.
They originally turned up with a 3kw sunny boy from what I remember? I rejected that that though due to single mppt.
It was during November 2011 so I think they were just throwing in anything they could aquire as stock became available.

I've been reading a lot over the last few days, and yes it seems the Solax may not cope well with the shading.

Either the newer ABB or a Sunnyboy seem good options. I've now ruled out the Solax, as although it's cheap, my harvest may suffer?
I've managed over 3000kWh per year so far so don't want that to drop due to the inverter.

I'd like to find out more about the Huawei single phase inverters, but finding info is difficult.

As you said earlier, every day I'm losing out whilst the system is down.

I think just getting ABB to fit the 3.0 at £625 is the winning at the moment. I'll have to sort something soon though.

Thanks for you interest in this Whinmoor, it's a minefield for me. I did contact a local installer, but they've failed to respond so far.
I've other numbers to call though.
Obviously ,solar pv is not my thing, but if you ever wanted any advise on spectacles, I can return the advise, as that is my thing!

Cheers,

Deeyup

 

[SibertSolar]

I would suggest you consider the SolaX X1-3.0T Boost unit, it has twin trackers, the voltage range is ideal, will cost you less and will have a 10yr warranty. They have very good support here with their UK office in Nuneaton.

 

[Electric Yo]

Hi Deeyup,

I work for a company called Solgen Commercial and we are ABB's main server provider for solar P.V in the UK. If you choose to go for a replacement ABB Uno then we are the company who will carry out the work. A swap takes about 30 minutes for a like for like swap.

As others have mentioned here you will need a solar inverter with 2 MPPT trackers for best efficiency as you have partial shading.

E031 is an issue with voltage measurement on the AC side of the inverter and will require a new inverter if you are out of the 5 year warranty.

We have engineers in Bristol so not very far from you in Cardiff.

Hope this helps.

Luke - Solgen

 

[deeyup]

Hi Deeyup,

I work for a company called Solgen Commercial and we are ABB's main server provider for solar P.V in the UK. If you choose to go for a replacement ABB Uno then we are the company who will carry out the work. A swap takes about 30 minutes for a like for like swap.

As others have mentioned here you will need a solar inverter with 2 MPPT trackers for best efficiency as you have partial shading.

E031 is an issue with voltage measurement on the AC side of the inverter and will require a new inverter if you are out of the 5 year warranty.

We have engineers in Bristol so not very far from you in Cardiff.

Hope this helps.

Luke - Solgen

Hi Luke,

I was going to get a new inverter fitted with Solgen, they were waiting on stock for weeks though from Italy.
So I arranged fitting of a Sunny Boy as stock was available. Typically, on the day I had the Sunny boy installed, Solgen called to say they had just taken delivery of the ABB units. I would have saved £200 getting the ABB, but as the recent weather has proven ever day of lost production counts.
I've produced over 800 kWh in the last 9 weeks and that's worth a lot to me being on the highest tariff.

Thanks for the reply though.

 

[Electric Yo]

Hi Deeyup,

No problem, glad to help. SMA Sunnyboy is a good inverter too, so hopefully will last you a good while!

Cheers,

Luke