Panels sometimes showing lower production (varies)...

[desmo907]

Seems the IQ7 replacement fixed my issue

[desmo907]

I had 2 M215 replaced with IQ7 long ago when they thought it was bad micros and it turned out to be bad diodes in the 2 panels (later replaced the panels). (They were producing about 1/3 less than others). Someone mentioned 3 diodes may be responsible for each third of the panel.

-- Update----
Since they updated the profile, the panel was ok a few days... then now it seems 1/3 of production.

They are a bit confusing as they said it was fixed with the update (as it appeared to be) and they would NOT send a replacement micro but now I got a notice that they are sending a replacement and they did but I still think it is the panel. Trying to get hold of RWE who bought ConEd solar (who had bought my installer Ross). I have spare panel also.

Wonder if I can swap it out the panel and might as well put in the IQ7 micro.... it is between 2 other panels on the low part of the roof (on garage roof so not high) and think I can reach the mounting screws on the sides ...maybe have to lay a bit on edge of panels to reach the upper nut mounting bracket. They have 2 on each side toward the middle that hold the opposite edges of 2 panels.

Do i need to do anything special besides cutting power to the grid? Assume i shut the outside switch and the breaker in basement.

[Will792]

I am surprised that grid profile affected solar production. Parameters of a profile affect timing delays in reacting to voltage and frequency deviations from normal levels. Most NE locations use the same Enphase profile, ISO NE 2018. Profile Also includes voltage and frequency levels that trigger microinverter disconnect or production curtailment.

it might be helpful for you to have installers access to Envoy controller so you can view which profiles are active and see real-time data at panel level. I do not think M215 had firmware upgrade option so nothing to see there.

i used to have a system with M215s but when system was expanded I replaced all existing inverters with IQ7s and sold m215 on CL.

[desmo907]

My Panels are Phono (Chinese company installed by Ross in CT who then sold off to ConEd who then sold off to RWE).
I previosly had 2 panels diodes go bad and Phono sent me a PPT deck and tried to blame bird poo, etc. ConEd later replaced the panels with others that did not match as they could not find the Phono anymore. (They saw my original post here and reached out.)

Turns out my new issue with a different panel seemed to be a "grid profile" issue with the enPhase Micro. Apparenly a software update that was not applied to this particular micro. They pushed it and it seems fine now.. Odd how only 1 of 21 was impacted though.

[Will792]

I hope that your panels are not Suniva (US company in Georgia that went under 6-7 years ago). It had a design defect how diodes were connected to junction box. Failure rates for Suniva panels are very high as a result but the only good news is that it is fixable, if you have soldering skills. You cut open junction box, resolder diodes and use silicone to glue box back to panel.

Most installers of solar systems provide warranty so it might try to contact your installer.

[desmo907]

I wrote sbout some issues prior....After ~12 years of running my 21 Phono panels with Enphase micros (M215), 2 of the panels (diodes?) went bad and panels were replaced . It seemed that they were producing 2/3 (if i recall) of the others and someone mentioned 3 diodes in the panel and maybe 1 went bad but you just have to replace the panel and not the diodes. Prior though Enphase had replaced the 2 micros (but the issue was the same and later we determined it was the panels).

About a year later 1 of the replacement micros started showing lower production numbers and after a few weeks it went dead. Then a month later the other replacement micro started doing the same thing... but a few days after that, the original replacement micro (that was first showing low production and death) is back to normal. Very odd.

Now it is 2024 and a different panel started showing about 2/3 production of the others... there nothing on the panel, wires under it seems ok, etc. This happend 6/16/24-6/19/24 and NOW it seemed to be back to a full production day (as the panel next to it) on 6/20/24. Today (6/21/24) it seems to be back to 2/3 production.

Just curious what may cause this... could it be diodes again... the Micros all report normal.

Thoughts?