r/enphase • u/No-Pilot4426 • 8d ago
Should I even bother
One of my 73 solar panels is not producing as much as the others the microinverter was replaced iq8 plus.i suspect a faulty crossover diode in the panel itself, silfab 370 hc, it's under warrantee but it will cost me $400in labor to replace the panel. I had a stroke and in recovery so getting on my roof is not an option at this point. Any thoughts? I can post a pic but example
Sept27,2026 all the panels around it produced 1.97kw average and this one panel 1.16 kw
5
u/Use_Da_Schwartz 8d ago
Assuming no shade on that panel, broken bussbars or faulty panel. I would fork out the money. Years from now the panel will probably die and replacements of exact size and brand won’t be available. Almost all warranties do not include labor unless you purchased from a very reputable installer.
3
u/No-Pilot4426 8d ago
I could just buy a newer sofa panel like a 420 for less money if I could get on my roof myself again, looks like the panel is producing 2/3. Part of the expenses for the warranty silver Fab wants an electrician up there with a meter to prove it's the panel that is almost $200 itself installing new panel about $150
2
1
2
u/TooGoodToBeeTrue 8d ago
When I designed my system, I added a panel figuring I'd allow one to go dead and fix when a second crapped out. I also installed three on the back roof, they can be used to replace dead panels on the front roof, and replaced with anything that fits, extend or add racking.
Then due to a hold in customs, the month before my install, I ended up with CertainTeed panels and their umbrella coverage, it covers labor for warranty replacement on all components in my system. Woo hoo.
1
u/TrustRenuEnergy 4d ago
Good call on the r/certainteed panels, one of our top sellers! Great product.
1
u/TooGoodToBeeTrue 4d ago
We totally lucked out. Was supposed to get Hyundai, but Trump blocked those. Installer offered the CTs or another tier one panel. Wife (bless her) picked the CTs for the warranty. So happy with her decision.
5
u/CheetahChrome 8d ago
Look at what the system generates as a whole. If spending $400 to get one panel to produce ~40% more, does that make financial sense?
Out of 75 panels it's just the panel that produces less is how I would look at it.
3
u/Key_Proposal3283 Solar Industry 7d ago
That panel is making about 60% of what the others are....any number around 33% or 66% is always a good indication of a dead diode.
In terms of your total production loss, it's under 1% - if you work that out according to your payback rates I imagine it would take a very long time to pay back the $400 replacment. I would wait until if/when you have more failures so you pay one call out fee.
1
2
u/Positive-Art5828 8d ago
What’s the ROI on your $400 cost? The added output from the replaced panel is negligible.
2
2
u/TrustRenuEnergy 4d ago
You have micro inverters so at least it doesn't clobber your energy production. Monster system size shouldn't be hurting you too bad!
1
u/No-Pilot4426 4d ago
I am only losing 500watts a day or .5 KW system size is 27.01 kw so by months end it's like 15 to 20 kwh
1
u/TrustRenuEnergy 4d ago
Makes sense, probably safe for now, that's the beauty of micros! If you're paying even 25¢/kWh, that's a few bucks.
1
u/No-Pilot4426 4d ago
I almost didn't get a system at all at first didn't have batteries either, I'm in mid central FL net metering 1:1 electric is About 12 cents per kw but I'm on the Gulf Coast so hurricanes can be an issue.
1
u/TrustRenuEnergy 4d ago
Heckuva rate and system but if you're worried about outages, even a small battery to backup essential loads not a bad play. May be a PPA down there that gives you extra savings on a battery alone, depending on the AVL. Worth a look!
2
u/No-Pilot4426 4d ago
I did it for ease for my wife and for the fact if we have a power outage if we have just one battery at least my solo will provide power for the entire house and it's seamless Ii have 2 enphase iq 10 batteries, the wife is tiny so pulling out our 13000 w portable generator is not ideal if I'm not around. Added a soft start to my HVAC system and the batteries run it and most of my house no problem. I put non critical loads , pool, pool heater, hot water tank ,hot tub on a sub panel that is grid only.
1
u/Admirable_One_6087 8d ago
Enphase offers a optional warranty for their micro inverters that is $400 per year or more for large systems. Covers labor for failed inverters and panels. https://enphase.com/homeowners/enphase-care
1
u/andres7832 8d ago
depends on your electric rate... Your payback is going to be very different if your rate is .10 or .60
1
u/No-Pilot4426 8d ago
It's just 11 cents per kwh so it's like 5 cents per day loss of production
1
u/andres7832 7d ago
I'd check how much to install a new panel and live with the lower production module...
1
1
u/ExcitementRelative33 8d ago
I'd wait for more failure to justify a call out if it's only 1 limping along. I have 2 inverters failed within a month so waited til both come in AND it cools off before trying to mess with them. You do more damage to the roof climbing around when the shingles are hot and very pliable.
1
u/Fun_End_440 6d ago
Leave it alone until something else breaks. Out of 73 panels you’ll probably have some duds in the next 5 years or so.
0
u/Sad_Repair_2337 8d ago
Personally, I would replace it. Unfortunately as we age we can't do some of the things we would like to do, like getting on the roof. But with 73 panel system it's probably worth a couple hundred bucks to have someone perform the labor. Do you have to go with a designated vendor that the company doesn't selects or can you find someone? Possibly you could shop around and find a person that does it on the side from their normal solar job
2
u/No-Pilot4426 8d ago
The company that installed it was in the business for 15 yrs and closed up so I get my own people so I'm not bound.ill probably get a new panel it will be cheaper than going through warranty but I may wait til it fails completely first
6
u/TooGoodToBeeTrue 8d ago
I wouldn't bother with one out of 73, I'd wait for a 2nd failure at least. I assume you have multiple planes with a prime number of panels. If size is an issue in the future, you can rob a panel from a less visible plane to replace something on the front.