Sunnyboy Inverter Error K1 Open

Is your SMA Sunnyboy solar inverter showing an error K1 Open message? If so your solar power system isn’t working, so you’ve done the right thing by coming here and doing something about it.

Error K1 Open – What does it mean?

The Error K1 Open message on an SMA Sunnyboy inverter is referring to the grid relay inside the inverter, relay K1. When the inverter is off or there is no sunlight available it is completely normal for the K1 relay to be open, however when solar power is available the K1 relay will try to close so it can send power from the inverter into the grid. If the K1 relay isn’t closing when the sun is out your system won’t work and the inverter will throw this error. The Error K1 Open is an internal fault with your inverter.

“Error K1 Open” – How do you fix it?

SMA Sunnyboy solar inverters are generally very reliable, so hopefully you can get your inverter back in action. The first thing we recommend with an issue like this is to try a full reboot of your system by completing the following in order:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to go completely blank and the red fault light to turn off.
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

If a reboot didn’t help…

If after rebooting the inverter you see the same error message, unfortunately, it sounds like you have a permanent error which is going to require professional help. The Error K1 Open fault will be covered under the SMA inverter warranty however if you are seeing this issue I’m guessing the inverter is outside the standard manufacturer 5 year warranty. The SMA Sunnyboy SB1100, SB1700 and SB25000 were manufactured more than 5 years ago now so it’s highly unlikely your warranty extended longer than that.

You can potentially have the internal issue with your inverter repaired however this will be at a substantial cost and still leave you with an inverter that isn’t covered by warranty. For this reason we highly recommend replacing the faulty inverter with a new quality unit backed by a new manufacturers warranty. If you are in South East QLD somewhere near the Gold Coast or Brisbane area we can help.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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Does your Galvo, Primo, Symo or Eco solar inverter require a Fronius USB update? If your inverter hasn’t been updated for a while it’s not a bad idea to run a firmware update via USB.

Why Fronius USB Update?

Fronius USB Update for Galvo Primo Symo Eco solar inverters There are a number of different reasons that you would perform a Fronius USB update as follows:

Rectify issues with bugs in the existing firmware (not bugs of the creepy crawly kind mind you – we’re talking glitches in the inverter firmware)
Improved inverter performance
Improved inverter safety
Amendments and improvements to the existing firmware

As can be seen all these points are going to be beneficial to you, so why not watch the following video and see how to perform a Fronius USB update on a Galvo, Primo, Symo or Eco Fronius solar inverter? It’s not too difficult to do yourself if you follow the instructions on the video.

Fronius USB Update Steps

Please complete the following steps in order:

At your computer:

First off you need a large flat head screwdriver, a USB stick and a computer connected to the internet to download the firmware update.
On your computer visit fronius.com
In the top right hand corner click on Download Center
In the search panel type in USB update
The results will pop up, click on SOLAR ENERGY
On the left hand side select your country as a filter
Click on the appropriate firmware download for your model of Fronius inverter
Open USB folder and delete any files / folders that may be present
Copy latest Fronius USB Firmware to USB stick
Eject USB stick from computer and go to inverter

At your inverter:

Undo screws holding lower gray cover onto inverter
Remove cover
Insert USB into inverter USB slot
Go to Settings Menu
Go to USB
Go to Software Update
Press Enter a couple of times on the screens showing firmware changes
The inverter will copy the files, update and restart
When the inverter had restarted go back to Settings
Go to USB
Go to Unplug USB Device
When the screen shows OK remove the USB stick
Close the inverter cover back up and reinsert the screws and you’re away!

Congratulations, you successfully updated the firmware on your Fronius solar inverter! Now you can rest assured your solar inverter is up to date and performing at it’s best, and if you had to update your inverter due to a STATE code or an error with your system hopefully the latest firmware update has sorted that out for you.

As discussed we do highly recommend that you check the Fronius site for USB updates every year or so to ensure your solar inverter is kept up to date.

If you are still having an issue with a STATE code or error on your Fronius solar inverter click on one of the following links to see what the STATE code is telling you:

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Zeversolar solar inverters sold by Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions come with WiFi monitoring functionality out of the box, however to access this functionality does require some additional setup on your part. The following guide will explain the steps required to setup this handy feature.

Zeversolar wifi networks

Zeversolar WiFi Monitoring Requirements:

Operational Inverter
WiFi network with internet connection and good network signal at inverter location
Mobile device or laptop with wifi connectivity

Zeversolar WiFi Monitoring Setup Instructions:

Open your mobile device or laptop’s WLAN page. Find the new wifi network called ZEVERSOLAR-XXXX. Note: “XXXX” stands for the last four digits in the Registry ID.
Connect to the access point using your mobile device or laptop – the password is “zeversolar”.
Open a web browser and go to http://160.190.0.1. The internal website will be opened.
Select your router in the [Wireless] area. The Password/Security Key dialog box opens. Enter the password of the router. If the inverter is connected to the router, the status indicator on the Wireless page should display the green tick icon as on the image below.
Save the Registry ID and key, they will be used for creating a new plant in Zevercloud.

Zeversolar wifi monitoring setup

Zeversolar WiFi Monitoring Portal: ZeverCloud

Zeversolar Zeverlution Solar Inverter are used and recommended by Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions
When you have completed the above steps successfully the next step is to create an account on the Zeversolar monitoring portal, ZeverCloud. You can go to the Zeversolar ZeverCloud monitoring portal here.

On the Zeversolar ZeverCloud monitoring portal you will need to setup a new account and register your inverter on the portal, to do this please check out the
Zeversolar ZeverCloud monitoring portal system setup guide here.

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Eaton Solar Inverter No Utility

As the name would suggest, the Eaton solar inverter no utility error message is a sign that your solar inverter is not working.

The No Utility message tells you that your inverter has not detected any power from the electricity grid, so you will definitely want to work quickly to get your inverter back in action.

How to Fix the “No Utility” Error

There are a few things you should check right off the bat if you have the Eaton solar inverter no utility error. Check your inverter for each of the following:

The switchboard solar main supply switch should be switched ON (up is ON).
The inverter AC isolator switch (if present) is in the ON position.

If both of these are fine and you are still getting the error message, then it is time to talk to a solar accredited electrician for further help.

Fixing Your Eaton Solar Inverter No Utility Issue

The inverter thinks that there is no electricity coming from the power grid, so the first thing a solar accredited electrician will do is check whether the problem is with the solar inverter or the switchboard/electricity grid. This can easily be done by checking the AC plug going into your inverter. If it is receiving approximately 240 volts, then it’s clear that the problem is with your inverter. If not, the problem is in the grid. Just don’t forget to make sure you aren’t experiencing a blackout before you call an electrician – so quickly check that the other appliances in your home are still working!

If your Eaton solar inverter turns out to be the problem the best thing to do will be replace it. You could repair your inverter however it probably isn’t covered by warranty since these inverters are quite old and most warranties only last 5 years. You could pay to get it repaired out of warranty but that doesn’t make a lot of sense as it could fall over again tomorrow and you’ll have to fork out even more. Replacing an Eaton inverter with a good quality replacement unit is the best way to go so you’ll be are covered under warranty again. If you are in South East QLD somewhere near the Gold Coast or Brisbane area we can certainly help get your solar power system back in action ASAP.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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Clenergy SPH Solar Inverter Grid V Mismatch Error Code

When you see have Clenergy SPH Solar Inverter Grid V Mismatch error code, the inverter is telling you that it has not been able to match the voltages properly.

This error code is not a good indicator, but there is one thing you should definitely try before seeking professional help, and that’s a reboot of the Clenergy SPH solar inverter.

Grid V Mismatch? Try a Rebooting Your Clenergy Solar Inverter

There should be instructions near your inverter on how to reboot your inverter, but if there isn’t, please follow these steps:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to power down completely and go blank.
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

If after restarting the inverter and waiting a few minutes you see the “O/P Watt = 0” message or “INV Waiting” message, this is your inverter starting up and telling you no power is being generated. Eventually it will probably go back to the same “Grid V Mismatch” error code, which means your inverter has an internal fault and will require the help of a solar accredited electrician.

If it does end up being an issue with your inverter you have two options: repair or replace your solar inverter. If it was installed within the last five years then the manufacturer, Clenergy, should look after it as a warranty claim. Just make your claim using the model number (SPH20, SPH30 or SPH 50) and serial number (located on the top of the inverter). Additionally, you will need to show proof of purchase in the form of a tax invoice or certificate of electrical compliance in order to prove it is still covered by warranty.

If your inverter is out of the five warranty period we recommend you replace the inverter with a good quality solar inverter so you don’t have to worry about not being covered the next time your inverter breaks down.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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Andrew from Mudgeeraba: “I had Russell from Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions out to have a look at my place for solar and he worked out the best system with good quality gear at a competitive price. Nathan and his team installed the system and they did a great, neat job – I’m very happy with the positioning of the solar panels and the systems power output.”

Solar Power Mudgeeraba - Andrew's 11.4kW Solar Power System

Solar power Mudgeeraba: Andrew’s 11.4kW Solar Power System in Mudgeeraba – proudly installed by Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions.

Solar Power Specifications:

System Size: 11.4kW
System Location: Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Solar Panel Type & Quantity: REC 285W x 40
Solar Inverter: Fronius Symo 10kva

Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions have been installing solar power systems on the Gold Coast and the surrounding areas since 2008. Our friendly team provides no pressure advice to assist you in determining the best system to meet your specific needs in the Mudgeeraba area. To make things easy for you when you have a system installed, Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions organise the changeover of meters in the Mudgeeraba area with Energex.

We also provide system maintenance checks and solar panel-cleaning, solar power system upgrades and additions, as well as repairs and replacements on solar panels and inverters.

If you’re in Mudgeeraba and are after a solar power system, Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions can help you today!

Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions specialise in:

We are the Gold Coast solar power experts!

The post Solar Power Mudgeeraba – Testimonial from Andrew appeared first on Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions.

SEA Orion Solar Inverter Relay Failure

If you have an SEA Orion Solar Inverter Relay Failure message on the inverter screen, the inverter is telling you there is a fault with a relay inside the inverter.

When you see the Relay Failure message on your SEA Orion solar inverter your inverter is not working at all, so you’ll want to get the issue sorted out as soon as possible. There’s just one thing you can try first and that’s a reboot of your SEA Orion Solar Inverter.

Relay Failure? Try Rebooting Your SEA Orion Solar Inverter

It is possible that your relay failure could be a one off faulty that will be rectified by a reboot of the inverter, however usually if it does start working again after a reboot it won’t be long before it shows the relay failure message again.

There should be instructions near your inverter on how to reboot your inverter, but if there isn’t, please follow these steps:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to power down completely and go blank.
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

If after restarting the inverter and waiting a few minutes the “Relay Failure” message comes up again, your inverter is not working and needs immediate attention. You have two options: replacement or repair. The SEA Orion inverters have been around for a while and came with a 5-year warranties, however it is likely that it’s now outside of that 5 year warranty period.

Assuming your inverter is out of the five warranty period we recommend you replace the inverter with a good quality solar inverter so you don’t have to worry about not being covered the next time your inverter breaks down. The cost of repair is so great that it makes more sense to replace it rather than having to worry about future breakdowns after a repair and being out of pocket again.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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solar power STC financial incentive The financial incentive for solar power systems is based on STCs which stands for Small-scale Technology Certificates. These STC’s can be created when a solar power system using eligible solar panels and solar inverters are installed by accredited solar installers. The number of STC’s created is determined by the size of the solar power system but it is also affected by which year it is installed in.

Solar power installation this year or next?

Every year until 2030 the amount of STC’s that can be created by installing solar panels will be dropping due to the each year being a year closer to 2030. Currently in 2017 we are eligible for a 14 year deeming period on STC’s due to the year 2030 ending 14 years away, so in 2018 the deeming period will drop to 13 years as 2030 creeps closer.

What does the STC deeming period mean to me?

Effectively what this all means to you is that if you hold off on installing a solar power system till next year you will be paying more. How much more depends on how large the solar power system is. For example a basic 5kW solar power system will currently be eligible for the STC financial incentive of $2,640 if installed in 2017, however come 2018 that incentive will drop to $2447.50. So exactly the same solar power system installed in 2018 will likely cost you an additional $192.50, and the larger the solar power system the greater the additional cost will be. Have a play with the following calculator to see what the difference will be for your solar power system.

*Solar STC value is based on market value, hence is subject to change without notice.

Why wait for Solar? Get the best financial incentive NOW!

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Growatt Solar Inverter AC V Outrange

If you’re seeing an AC V Outrange message on your Growatt Solar Inverter your inverter is telling you that it has detected that the grid AC voltage is coming up outside of the permissible range that the inverter can accept. As a result the inverter automatically shuts down as a safety precaution.

If this function is working correctly then this automatic inverter shutdown is a good thing, however we have seen on a number of occasions where Growatt inverters are misreading the grid AC voltage and shutting down when they shouldn’t be. Before taking any further action you are going to have to determine whether the AC Voltage is really out of range or if your Growatt inverter is just reading the voltage incorrectly.

Growatt AC V Outrange – Is the AC Voltage really out of range?

To figure out if you are actually getting too high a voltage on the AC side of your inverter you will need to use a multimeter to measure the AC voltage present at your inverter.

You should not attempt this on your own – we recommend calling an accredited solar electrician for safety reasons – this is electrical work and hazardous voltages are present. They will check the voltage between the active and neutral terminals of your inverter and by comparing these measurements to the AC voltage reading on the inverter screen will be able to ascertain whether the problem is with your inverter or with the voltage from the grid.

Growatt AC V Outrange – What’s going on?

What normally happens with the AC V Outrange error is that the inverter trips out, and then it commences a reconnection process which will keep being repeated as long as the AC voltage detected is outside the permissable range.

If the multimeter reading shows a voltage between 220V and 255 Volts the problem is most likely with your inverter, as this is a typical accepted AC voltage range Growatt inverters will accept. Take the time to check on the AC Voltage reading on the inverter screen as well as it should be very similar to the reading the multimeter shows. If the inverter display shows a voltage reading quite different to the multimeter it sounds like you have a poblem with the inverter.

If the problem is with your inverter…

If the issue turns out to be with your inverter, you are going to need to replace or repair it. Growatt inverters came with a 5 year warranty and to make a warranty claim, you will require proof of purchase within the warranty period and also the serial number and model number off the side of your inverter.

If your inverter is out of the warranty period you can potentially have the internal issue with your inverter repaired however this will be at a substantial cost and still leave you with an inverter that isn’t covered by warranty. For this reason we highly recommend replacing the faulty inverter with a new quality unit backed by a new manufacturers warranty. If you are in South East QLD somewhere near the Gold Coast or Brisbane area we can help.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

If the problem is with the AC Grid voltage…

If the multimeter reading reveals the grid voltage is outside of the 220V – 255V range it looks like you may have a problem with the electricity grid rather than a problem with your solar inverter. This will require the assistance of a local electrician to ascertain what further action is required to rectify the issue.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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Fronius STATE 421 Error Message

The Fronius STATE 421 error message is an occasional problem that can occur with the Fronius IG series of solar inverters. According to Fronius, the STATE 421 message means the inverter has detected an internal hardware sequence collision.

With any internal inverter fault such as the STATE 421 message that doesn’t clear itself, we recommend you call an accredited solar electrician. First, however, you can try rebooting your solar inverter to see if a simple reboot will rectify the issue.

How to Reboot Your Fronius Solar Inverter

Rebooting your Fronius solar inverter is quite simple, however, it is important you follow the shutdown procedure correctly to avoid damaging your system. There should be instructions somewhere near your inverter on how to reboot the system which should be something like the following:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to go completely blank.
Once completely blank, wait a few seconds and then turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).

It may take a couple of minutes to restart, so just wait patiently while the inverter reboots. If the STATE 421 message is displayed again you are going to need the help of a solar accredited electrician.

Get help from Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions by filling out this solar inverter help form

The STATE 421 message is an internal fault issue with the Fronius IG series of solar inverters. If it’s continually shown on your inverter you will need to have your inverter repaired or replaced.
The Fronius IG series inverters come standard with a 5-year warranty, so if the inverter was installed within the last 5 years the STATE 421 error will be covered under warranty. To make a warranty claim you will need proof of purchase and the serial number of your inverter. The serial number is located on the bottom of the inverter.

If your inverter is out of warranty we recommend you completely replace the inverter. This is usually the best course of action rather than paying to have it repaired and still having an inverter that’s not covered by warranty. The new Fronius inverters come with a 10-year warranty and are a very reliable inverter.

For further assistance with the STATE 421 message please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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Xantrex Solar Inverter Ground Fault Reset System

Xantrex Solar Inverter Ground Fault Reset System If your Xantrex solar inverter is displaying a Ground Fault Reset System message it’s a clear sign your solar power system isn’t working. There are two ways to tell you have this error:

The screen is continually coming up with “Ground Fault Reset System” and then “Inverter Offline”
The “Ground Fault” light is lit red

This can mean one of two things: either your system has a major issue, or you have a temporary glitch with your system.

When the Ground Fault Reset System message is a problem

Generally if you’re seeing the Ground Fault Reset System message on your Xantrex inverter it’s indicating that the inverter has detected a ground fault with your solar power system. Ground faults are caused when some part of the electrical system comes into contact with the earth. It can be caused by moisture getting somewhere it’s not supposed to or by damage to some part of the system. Either way the ground fault needs immediate attention, but before you call a solar accredited electrician, it may be worth attempting a reboot of your inverter first.

How to Reboot Your Xantrex Solar Inverter

Rebooting your solar inverter is quite simple, however it’s important you follow the procedure correctly to avoid damaging your system. There should be instructions near your inverter on how to reboot your inverter which should be somthing like the following:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to go completely blank
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

The Xantrex inverter will take a couple of minutes to restart. If the green light appears again and the inverter starts working then great! If the red “Ground Fault” light is still glowing red after the system has rebooted and you are still seeing the Ground Fault Reset System message you are going to need to get a local solar accredited electrician to look into the cause of the ground fault. If you are near the Gold Coast we can help.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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Solar King Solar Inverter Relay Failure

A Solar King solar inverter relay failure message occurs when an internal relay inside the inverter fails to operate correctly. There are two signs that you have this issue:

The “Fault” light is on
The screen is showing “Relay Failure”

Additionally, you may hear a clicking from the inverter as the relays inside the unit trying to pull in. When you have a relay failure your solar power system isn’t working, so you’ll want to get this issue sorted ASAP.

Relay Failure? Try Rebooting Your Solar King Solar Inverter

Your inverter relay failure problem may possibly be fixed with a simple reboot, so we recommend you try this before taking any further action. Sometime the inverter may start working again after a reboot, however it may give the relay failure message soon thereafter. It’s worth a try though!

Your inverter should have instructions for how to reboot your inverter, but if not, just follow these steps:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to power down completely and go blank.
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

As the inverter tries to start up, it will go through a 60 second countdown and you may hear the inverter clicking as the relays are tested. If you are still seeing the “Relay Failure” message after the reboot, you’re going to require the help of a solar accredited electrician.

The Solar King inverters came with a 5-year warranty as standard so if it was installed within the last 5 years you may be able to get the issue rectified under warranty. To make a warranty claim, you will require the model # (already mentioned) and the serial #, which is located on the bottom of the inverter.

If your inverter is out of warranty, you are going to have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace the inverter. Repairing a device like this is like throwing good money after bad, as you it could easily develop another fault soon after being fixed and cost you more money. Because of this we recommend you replace your faulty Solar King inverter with a quality new inverter so you are covered by warranty into the future.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

Got A Question About Solar Power? Click Here For Answers!

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Solar Panel Maximum Voltage Calculator – Why it’s important

Solar panel maximum voltage calculator With a solar power system it’s very important that the solar panels match the electrical characteristics of the solar inverter that they’re connected to. One of the electrical characteristics that’s very important is the maximum voltage the solar inverter can handle, as if the voltage supplied from the solar panels is too high or too low the inverter won’t work properly and could even be irreparably damaged.

Another important point is raised in the Australian Standard AS5033-2014 clause 3.1 which states the following:
“PV arrays for installation on domestic dwellings shall not have PV array maximum voltages greater than 600V. For non-domestic installations where the PV array maximum voltage exceeds 600V, the entire PV array and associated wiring and protection, shall have restricted access.”

With these 2 important points to consider it’s very important that we know the maximum voltage of the solar power system, and this is where our solar panel maximum voltage calculator comes in handy.

Solar Panel Maximum Voltage Calculator – How to work it out

Working out the maximum voltage that your solar power system will reach is not a straight forward thing as it requires information from the solar panel data sheet and some site specific information be entered into our solar panel maximum voltage calculator to calculate the maximum voltage the system will see. We need to take into consideration the number of solar panels connected in a series string, the minimum temperature found at the site along with the characteristics of the solar panels being used.

Let’s have a look at the information we require for our solar panel maximum voltage calculator, what it means and where you can get the information from.

Solar Panel Maximum Voltage Calculator – Information you need to know

REC 290W solar panel information for maximum voltage calculator — REC 290W solar panel data sheet with information highlighted that’s required for voltage calculations – click for full size image.

Solar panel Voc at STC: This is the open circuit voltage the solar panel will produce at STC, or Standard Test Conditions. STC conditions are the electrical characteristics of the solar panel at airmass of AM1.5, irradiance of 1000W/m² and cell temperature of 25^oC. This information can be found from the solar panel manufacturers data sheet, please see example here.

Solar panel temperature coefficient of Voc: The voltage that solar panels work at is dependent on the cell temperature, the higher the temperature the lower the voltage the solar panel will produce and vise versa. The voltage of the system will always be at it’s highest in the coldest conditions and the solar panel temperature coefficient of Voc is required to work this out. With mono and poly crystalline solar panels it’s always a negative %/^oC figure, such as -0.30%/^oC on the REC Twin Peak 2 290W solar panels. This information can be found on the solar panel manufacturers data sheet, please see example here.

Minimum site temperature: This is very important and changes from site to site, for example here on the Gold Coast near the beach the lowest temperature is recorded as being 2.5^oC by the Bureau of Meteorology (see here). However up at Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland the lowest temperature is recorded as being -1.1^oC by the Bureau of Meteorology (see here). We highly recommend that you check the statistics for your local area.

No. of solar panels in series string: When solar panels are wired in series strings (that is the positive of one panel is connected to the negative of the next panel), the voltage of each panel is added together to give the total string voltage. Therefore we need to know how many solar panels you intend to wire in series.

When you have all the information above you are ready to enter it into the following solar panel maximum voltage calculator to see if the solar panel design will suit your requirements. Just overwrite the data which is in the calculator – this data is for the REC 290W Twin Peak 2 solar panel used as an example above.

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Motech Solco Solar Inverter Relay Failure

The Motech Solco solar inverter relay failure issue can occur in the PVMate range of Motech inverters and indicates an internal issue with a relay inside the inverter. There are two signs that you have this issue:

Both the “Operation” and the “Failure” lights are on
The screen is coming up with “Idle” and “Relay 2”

The solar inverter will scroll through several different readouts, but the “Relay 2” message signifies there is an internal problem with a relay inside the inverter. If you’re seeing the Relay message on the screen then your solar power system isn’t working, so you’ll want to get it rectified ASAP.

Relay Failure? Try Rebooting Your Motech Solco Solar Inverter

If your Motech Solco inverter is displaying a relay fault message firstly we recommend you try a reboot of the system. It’s possible that the relay failure could be a one-off problem that will rectify itself once the inverter is rebooted, so let’s look at how you can reboot your system.

Motech Solco Solar Inverter Reboot Procedure

There should be instructions near your inverter on how to reboot the system, but if there isn’t, please follow these steps:

Turn OFF the Solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to power down completely and go blank.
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the Solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

Restarting Your Motech Solco Solar Inverter

As the inverter tries to start up, you’ll hear some clicking noises from the inverter which is the inverter testing the relays. If after starting the inverter the “Relay 2” message appears again, it looks like your inverter has an internal issue that needs to be sorted out ASAP. If you’re continuing to see the error you really only have two options: that’s replacement or repair of the inverter. Unfortunately, Motech Solco inverters are no longer supported in Australia, so you would have to pay for any repairs out of your own pocket.

To repair a Motech Solco inverter can be quite expensive, and since there is no warranty coverage we recommend you replace the inverter with a quality brand new unit backed by a full manufacturers warranty. The last thing you want is to pay for your inverter to get repaired only to have it break down again soon after!

In conclusion, a Motech Solco inverter showing a relay 2 message has an internal fault. It will require immediate attention to rectify the issue. For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

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CMS10000 Solar Inverter ERR GRID

Do you have a CMS10000 solar inverter ERR GRID message? If you’re seeing an ERR GRID message on your CMS10000 Solar Inverter it’s letting you know that it’s detected an issue with the power from the street. If at the time this happened you had a blackout or the solar supply main switch is turned off then the ERR GRID message would be normal. Unfortunately however if your CMS10000 is coming up with ERR GRID intermittently or when all the switches are ON and you have power from the street you have an issue.

CMS10000 Solar Inverter ERR GRID? Make sure the grid isn’t the problem

The first thing you should do when you see a grid error message on your CMS10000 inverter is to check the power grid – this is the power from the street. You’ll need to check that you’re actually getting power from the street and that power is on all 3 phases – with 3 phase power it’s possible that one or 2 phases are still connected but one phase is down. This would mean you have power available for some parts of your property but possibly not all. Assuming you are not experiencing a blackout, you need to ensure the device is properly connected.

CMS10000 Solar Inverter ERR GRID? Check these things next

If you’ve checked the grid and it all seems okay the next thing to check is that the inverter’s AC supply is all turned on. Please check the following:

Normal Supply Main Switch in your switchboard is ON
Solar Supply Main Switch in your switchboard is ON
AC Isolator beside the inverter (if present) is ON

If you’ve checked all the above and you’re still having the ERR GRID issue it’s time to call a solar accredited electrician. They will be able to test the system and work out what is and is not going on. It may be a problem with the grid supply to the inverter however it may be a problem with the inverter.

CMS10000 manufacturer, CMS are no longer in business

Unfortunately, CMS, the manufacturer of the CMS10000 is no longer in business, so if the issue does end up being with the inverter there won’t be any warranty covering it. The best thing to do would be to replace the faulty CMS10000 with another inverter like a Fronius Symo 10 rather than paying to fix the faulty unit. If you did try to fix a faulty CMS10000 solar inverter ERR GRID issue by repairing the inverter it would still have no warranty, and could break down again with another fault tommorrow.

In conclusion a CMS10000 solar inverter ERR GRID message can usually be rectified by a few simple checks, however if you have tried the things listed above and are still having issues you will need the help of a local solar accredited electrician.
For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

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Solco Motech PVMate Low Insolation

Do you have an issue with a Solco Motech PVMate Low Insolation message on your inverter screen? If so first off please understand that the Low Insolation message is completely normal if there isn’t much sunlight, such as at dawn and dusk.

What the Solco Motech PV Mate Low Insolation Error Means

The “Low Insolation” error message is your inverter telling you it’s not receiving enough power from the solar panels. Assuming you have plenty of light hitting your solar panels, this isn’t true. In this case the problem is either going to be with your solar panels or your inverter.

Solco Motech PVMate Low Insolation? Try a reboot

Whenever a solar inverter is playing up we recommend attempting to reboot the system to see if you can clear the issue as it can be a simple glitch. Rebooting your Solco Motech inverter is quite simple. Just follow the next steps:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to go completely blank
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

Once you have completed a full reboot, wait a couple of minutes and see what happens. If the “Operation” light starts flashing and you see the “Low Insolation” message, then you’re going to need to call a local solar accredited electrician for further assistance. They will be able to do some fault finding on your system to try and work out what is causing the Low Insolation issue and advise you accordingly.

For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

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Geoprotek Solar Inverter Blank Display

If you’re getting a Geoprotek Solar Inverter blank display it’s a sign that your solar inverter isn’t detecting any power from the solar panels. When a Geoprotek solar inverter screen is blank it basically means that the inverter thinks that it’s night time, it’s in sleep mode because it hasn’t detected any power from the solar panels. Obviously if the suns out your inverter shouldn’t be asleep, so let’s see if we can wake it up!

What to Check When You Have a Geoprotek Solar Inverter Blank Display

There are a few things you should check if you’re having the Geoprotek solar inverter blank display issue as follows:

Check the PV array DC isolator is switched ON (up is ON).
Check the DC plugs into the inverter are fully plugged in and don’t look damaged or melted.
Check the inverter DC switch (if present) is in the ON position.

If all three of these things are all as they should be and you’re inverter still hasn’t woken up, then it’s time to talk to a solar accredited electrician for further help.

Fixing Your Geoprotek Solar Inverter Blank Display Issue

As we have already discussed when the display is blank on your inverter it thinks there is no solar power, so there are several potential things we need to check. The issue could be between the inverter and the solar panels, it could be an issue with the actual solar panels, or the problem could even be an internal fault with the inverter. As you’ve already tried the easy checks now it starts getting more technical which is why you’ll need a local solar accredited electrician to investigate your issue further. For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading so we can assist you further.

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Fronius STATE 514 Error Code

Fronius STATE 514 Error Code The Fronius STATE 514 error message is a problem that can occur with the Fronius IG series (IG40 or IG60) of solar inverters. According to Fronius, the STATE 514 message means the inverter has detected an issue with one of the power stacks inside the inverter.

The Fronius STATE 514 fault is a broad error message and doesn’t actually tell you very much. There are however some things you can check to see exactly what the problem is with your inverter.

Learn More About The Fronius State 514 Error Message

When you see a Fronius State 514 error, it’s telling you the inverter has detected an error with one of the power stacks, but it doesn’t tell you which power stack has the error.

To find out more, press “Enter” on the inverter in order to acknowledge the error. Once you press “Enter” the inverter will most likely show you that it’s working but has detected an error. The Fronius IG40 and IG60 inverters have 2 power stacks, the lower power stack is “PS 00” and the upper power stack will be “PS 01”.

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To figure out which power stack the issue is with, press the menu button and then press the arrow buttons to select setup. This allows you to scroll through the settings to select “State PS”, which will give you the state of each power stack. “Run” means the power stack is working and “N.I.” means it’s not. The readings will show you the status of each stack as you scroll through, so you’ll be able to see which power stack has the issue.

What to Do About the Fronius STATE 514 Error Message

A STATE 514 message means your inverter isn’t producing as much power as it should be, so we recommend you do something about it as soon as possible.

If your inverter was installed within the last 5 years it will still be under warranty, and to make a warranty claim we recommend you get in touch with a local Fronius Service Partner. You’ll need the inverter Serial # and an invoice for proof of purchase. If you’re in SE QLD Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions can help, please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

If your inverter is out of warranty we recommend you replace the inverter with a brand new one. This is usually the best course of action rather than paying to have it repaired and still having an inverter that’s not covered by warranty at the end of the day. The new Fronius inverters come with a 10-year warranty and are a very reliable inverter.

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Omnik Solar Inverter Fault 25 Relay Failure

The Omnik Solar Inverter Fault 25 Relay Failure can be difficult to diagnose if you don’t know how to navigate through the inverter menu, however it’s usually quite clear you have a problem when the inverter constantly goes through a start up countdown procedure.

On the screen you’ll see that 0 kWh of power has been produced, indicating that no power at all has been produced by the system today.

There are two initial indicators of this fault:

Red “Fault” light will be lit
“Fault 25” error message will be displayed in the upper left corner of the screen

More About The Omnik Fault 25 Relay Failure

To find out further information about what Fault 25 actually is, you will need to navigate through the screens.

Use the up and down arrows to scroll between the menu settings until “Error” is flashing, then press enter. The error will then be identified as E25, or “relay 1 fault”.

This means there is a problem with an internal relay inside the inverter. If you are seeing this message no power is being produced by your solar power system.

Fault 25 Relay Failure? Try Rebooting Your Omnik Solar Inverter

If your Omnik solar inverter is displaying a relay fault message firstly we recommend you try a reboot of the system. It’s possible that the relay fault could be a one-off problem that will rectify itself once the inverter is rebooted, so let’s look at how you can reboot your system.

Omnik Solar Inverter Reboot Procedure

There should be instructions near your inverter on how to reboot the system, but if there isn’t, please follow these steps:

Turn OFF the Solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to power down completely and go blank.
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the Solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait while it counts down 60 seconds during the startup procedure.

Restarting Your Omnik Solar Inverter

As the inverter tries to start up, you’ll hear some clicking noises which is the inverter testing the internal relays. If after starting the inverter the “Fault 25” message appears again, it looks like the reboot hasn’t helped. Your Omnik inverter has an internal relay fault that needs to be rectified ASAP, as right now your solar power system isn’t working.

If you’re continuing to see the Fault 25 relay error you really only have two options: that’s replacement or repair of the inverter. Your inverter should be covered by warranty, but Omnik is not represented in Australia and you will have to contact the Chinese branch of the company to get any assistance – and good luck with that.

If you do try and go down the warranty path with Omnik the data plate on the right of the inverter gives both the model and serial numbers which you’ll require for any warranty claim. You can try and contact Omnik through their email address, service@omnik-solar.com.

If you’re having difficulty dealing with Omnik in China you could try and get the relay failure issue rectified locally. A local repair however is not likely to leave you much change from $500 and you’re still left with a product that could fail again tomorrow. Due to this we highly recommend you bite the bullet and replace your inverter with a good quality replacement unit instead. By doing this you can have the peace of mind of a good quality product with a locally backed warranty. For further advice please complete the form above under the URGENT heading so we can assist you further.

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Geoprotek Low Power Output

Geoprotek Low Power Output on Geoprotek solar inverter The Geoprotek low power output problem is something that we’ve occasionally seen with Geoprotek solar inverters – the inverter looks like it’s all working correctly however the amount of power being produced is way less than it should be.

Geoprotek Low Power Output – What’s the problem?

If it’s the middle of a sunny day and your solar panels aren’t in the shade at all you can expect to see over 1000 Watts of power being produced. If your Geoprotek inverter is showing a power reading closer to 100 W, or even 0 W, in good sunlight conditions and the panels are free from shade then it sounds like you may have a problem with your inverter.

Geoprotek Low Power Output-What Can You Do?

As with any problem with your solar inverter, the first thing you can try to do is a reboot of the system. Solar Inverters are a bit like computers in that a simple reboot can sometimes rectify a fault with the system. Your Geoprotek solar inverter has a relatively simple reboot process and hopefully it’s all it take to get your inverter back in action again. Try a full reboot of your system by completing the following in order:

Turn OFF the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Turn OFF the PV array DC isolator.
Wait for the inverter screen to go completely blank and the red fault light to turn off.
Turn ON the PV array DC isolator.
Turn ON the solar supply main switch (or inverter AC isolator if present).
Wait a few minutes while the inverter boots back up.

If the Reboot Doesn’t Fix the Problem

If after rebooting your Geoprotek inverter you see the same low power readings, it looks like you may have a more serious issue with your system that will require professional help. You will need a solar accredited electrician to check out your system and work out what the problem is to take further action – it could be an issue with the inverter however it could also be a problem on the solar panel side of the system.

If you are in South East QLD somewhere near the Gold Coast or Brisbane area we can help, for further assistance please complete the form above under the URGENT heading and we’ll assist you further.

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