Solar Generation September 2023 and Solaredge Inverter Failure

Solar Generation September 2023 and Solaredge Inverter Failure

We have had a disastrous end to September 2023 solar generation. On the 25th September we had a Solaredge inverter failure which shut down our solar generation. I have no doubt due to the good weather we would have beat last Septembers generation figures had it not failed.

This also had consequences for our Tesla Powerwall II in that it did not download cheap electricity overnight as it predicted the good weather would have had sufficient solar generation to see us through the day. A double whammy!

On checking I discovered the inverter was covered by a 12 year warranty from 2017. I contacted Solaredge and was pleased with a quick response. After sending images of the fault codes they quickly agreed to replace the inverter under warranty.

I was given the names of 3 companies to chose from the fit the replacement (the original installer Totnes Energy had ceased trading). The first I contacted were very reluctant to take the job on stating Solaredge never paid out sufficient funds to the installers to cover the labour charge and if they did the job it would not be until December 2023. They clearly did not want the job.

The second firm would take the work on but required an additional £75 from me to cover the shortfall in labour costs as Solaredge would only pay the installer £125 which was not enough. Caught between a rock and a hard place I was swayed to go ahead with this company as they could fit the inverter at the end of October 2023.

I had a similar issue back in March 2020 when 2 Solaredge optimisers failed. I had to cover a shortfall of £220 in scaffolding costs.

So due to this failure I shall be out of pocket for the replacement and will lose over a months worth of solar generation as well as using peak price electricity when ever the Tesla battery thinks it will be sunny on the next day!

The only good thing is with the nights drawing in and the generation reducing it is not as much of a loss as would have been back in the summer.

Anyway, on to this months figures for generation and use.

Comparative Energy

September 2023 : 495 kWh

September 2022: 517 kWh

Electricity Use

How frustrating is Octopus Energy with the way they display their bills. Total for the month was £35.59

Gas Use

We turned the gas on in September to heat the water instead of using the eddi.

Total Gas use : £15.07

Total Energy Use

Summary

Cost of your energy this month
Electricity – £35.59
Gas – £15.07
Subtotal – £50.66

FIT Income £0

Next month will look bad due to the loss of any solar generation!

Solar Generation September 2023 and Solaredge Inverter Failure