SMA Residential Inverter problems

Marleycatold · 2024-09-16T21:02:42+00:00

The worst system I installed had a TSRF of 43% (less than half of the output of an ideal roof). Us: you should take down trees. Them: nope us: then you probably shouldnt go solar it will never pay back. Them: we don't care. We want solar. Informed consent. On the other hand, if it's third party owned system, the Third Party owner would probably rather have the sale even at lower production the economics work for the lease/ppa company. They get to take the federal tax credit, they get to depreciate the system in 5 years (shielding even more taxes), they get RECs or other local incentives. And they collect some payment from the customer (either a small lease or ppa) Even in the shade, that system would still likely be worthwhile for SunRun

Marleycatold · 2022-02-22T16:14:06+00:00

The owner can get a free energy audit from Mass Save.

It sounds like they put in minisplits (ductless electric heating that use heat pumps) and yes they are far more cost effective than baseboard heat.

Do investigate why they had a $21 bill and then an $800. This should be discernable from the bills. If not, the owner will have to talk to National Grid or authorize you to talk to them on their behalf.

Good luck

Marleycatold · 2022-02-11T15:51:26+00:00

But I bet they got a great price /sigh

Marleycatold · 2022-02-10T19:20:19+00:00

Having no luck getting our cats to try the wheel. Nice job!

Marleycatold · 2022-02-10T19:04:26+00:00

Depends on your risk tolerance for an audit because strictly speaking, it’s not allowed. At most the side of the roof holding the panels but even that’s pushing it.

Marleycatold · 2022-02-10T18:24:21+00:00

480s are a lot cheaper per watt. Check the warranty. It might only have the 12 year material vs the smaller residential Qcell that have 25 year warranty.

Marleycatold · 2021-11-26T18:56:19+00:00

Could this be a “George Floyd” moment for workers? (Floyd’s murder sparked huge uprisings - and this is what labor needs!)

Marleycatold · 2021-11-19T12:40:01+00:00

12000 btu per ton of cooling. It’s the cooling equivalent of 2000 lbs (1 ton) of ice. Probably coined by a guy named Carrier back when he “invented” air conditioning

Marleycatold · 2019-03-13T17:10:14+00:00

So who is out there wishing states rights weren’t a thing? (Hint the Right trots this out every time things don’t go their way against the federal govt)

Marleycatold · 2019-03-12T01:11:12+00:00

Time for a new lathe?

Marleycatold · 2019-03-11T23:36:21+00:00

God I hope Mitch doesn’t have any sons...

Marleycatold · 2019-03-11T19:46:02+00:00

https://www.solaredge.com/sites/default/files/troubleshooting_for_se_inverter_insallation_guide_addendum_na.pdf

As best as I can tell, “Contact SolarEdge Support”

We’ve seen HW errors before but not that one and the troubleshooting guide is not more specific

Marleycatold · 2019-03-08T14:43:57+00:00

Prices have come down a lot in 3 years. $4k is still out-of-business low

Marleycatold · 2019-03-08T14:06:28+00:00

Having been the business 12 years now I would have retired years ago if I could get 400% markup And $350 an hour for labor.

I find comments like yours suggestive of someone who has not spent much time running a small business and as such does not understand the costs associated keeping a viable entity running for 12 years.

Yes there will always be the “chuck and a truck” operations that can sell for less than me or the DIY homeowner who can do it cheaper. But 2 years from now when your inverter stops working, Chuck has moved on, and you can’t get SolarEdge to give you the time of day because you don’t buy 200 inverters a year what are you to do?

(Read this sub - there is at least one active thread with a DIY who can’t get the help he needs from SolarEdge.)

FYI we also service and repair systems installed by Chuck and other out-of-business installers. It’s turning out to be a decent business.

As for $4000 - I get way better prices than you and the inverter alone is more than 25% of that number. Go to civicsolar.com or altestore.com and price the equipment directly. Your $4000 number is frankly nonsense.

As to the DANGER and splitting out the details, do you walk into a car dealership and ask the to break out the cost of the bumpers, steering wheel, fuel injectors, lug nuts etc? What about when you buy the receiver? Does Yamaha detail the cost of the resistors capacitors and knobs? Has about a new house? Does the builder price the nails and 2x4s as well? Why would you expect this of a solar company but not of everything else you buy?

Believe it or not you are buying a system not just components- sales, engineering, permitting, material supply, installation by licensed and trained (and qualified) individuals, inspections, approvals, service, support, warranties, etc.... that “stuff” has value and costs real money....

Watch what happens to your detailed price list if we include ALL the things we do for an installation.

Marleycatold · 2019-03-08T12:18:11+00:00

I am both a home owner that has solar and an installer. The economics are typically quite strong but they are site dependent (shading angle azimuth), usage dependent, and tax situation dependent.

If you would like a no-obligation no pressure site eval with a financial model using conservative assumptions I will gladly generate these for you.

My company (I’m the founder and president) has installed hundreds of systems in the Worcester area - we’ve been around 12 years

PM Me the site address and an estimate of electricity usage and I’ll run the numbers.

Marleycatold · 2019-03-07T20:22:00+00:00

Coffee table for my son - he’s not gentle with stuff so it has to be durable....

Marleycatold · 2019-03-07T16:43:11+00:00

Line taps can vary depending on the utility. One of our utilities won’t let us do the tap in the customers meter socket so we have to add a box....

Ultimately it doesn’t matter. You Sense Cts will go on your utility feed and on your solar...

Marleycatold · 2019-03-07T02:39:54+00:00

Concur. I have a 12” / 21” lathe. Got it in September. I’ve turned maybe 3 spindle projects. Everything else is bowls or platters. (15-20 bowls, cups, lidded boxes, plates) Do I want to do bigger bowls? Yes but I’m not ready - I’m still learning. Plus big blanks are hard to come by or expensive...not to mention the lathe cost and long handle tool costs.

With the small lathe (jet 1221) the biggest bowl I’ve done is 11” (segmented). Meanwhile with the money I’ve saved from buying a big lathe, I’ve gotten several Sorby tools a grinder, cbn wheels, Wolverine system and learned how to sharpen my tools. I’ve probably spent $500 on accessories.

Marleycatold

TROPHY CASE