all panels and inverter failing at once? Possible or salesman scare tactics?

[khanh dam]

came across this video. Is there anything that would cause every single solar component to die. OR is this just a false attempt of getting home owner to pay for an entirely new system?
What are the common problems with cheap solar power systems, and why are they a waste of money? - YouTube

[bob-n]

There are so many possibilities here.

My first thought is that this is a big lie (fake reality TV), to get business for the company that made the video.
Another possibility is a massive lightning strike. In theory, that could take out a whole system, as well as the TV, microwave, and many other things in the house.
Another possibility is that one piece died and the "repair" company didn't have the skills, time, or care to debug it. Many of us have seen similar situations in auto repair, where the shop claims 10 things need replacement, when the real problem was only one minor thing failing.
It could be that the only thing that failed is reporting software, and every time they did something to the hardware, it didn't get better, so they concluded or claimed that each piece was bad.
I guess it could also be that the install really was junk plus junk. We'll never know.

But we do know that the vast majority of home PV installs work flawlessly for many years, whether tier-1 or not. We have also seen failures in every brand. Some early hardware from big names had quality issues, too. The roof can be a cruel mistress - blazingly hot and also bitter cold, wet and later dry.

[organic farmer]

I see plenty of systems from the 1970s and 1980s in my area, I have never heard of a system going bad like that.

If I were an installer, and if I were faced with replacing photovoltaic panels, I guess I would try to incorporate that into my sales pitch also.

[Bala]

In Australia when grid connect took off almost every electrician and his dog were importing containers of panels and inverters, a friend was one. Most are no longer into solar installations so line the guy in the vid if there is a problem good luck with warranty.

A complete new 6.6kw system is advertised for $3461 Aud. So if there is an inverter failure probably cheaper and better to upgrade.

I have 11 185w panels and a 3kw xantrax inverter in my shed. It was a working system 10 years old but the owner upgraded to a bigger system. I paid him $200 for the lot.

[peakbagger]

IMHO, highly unlikely all panels went bad at the same time barring a major factory defect. I have three orphan systems, one system is 20 year old Sharps bought at full cost, the next one is post bankruptcy Evergreens and the last set are Schuco's after they pulled out of the market. I do have some ancient Siemens with EVA disease, they are still putting out power but definitely degraded. IMHO, the video is a scare job, I am unsure what standards are used in Australia for inverters but the string inverter failures I have heard of tend to be line surges from utility. Iost one that way and upgraded to the Midnight Solar SPDs that clamp at lower voltage. Microinverters on the other hand do seems to have a high failure rate. I bought a four used Enphase inverters and one died after 6 months. They are an atypical install down in my nice cool shady basement. Who knows where they were before but the bad one worked fine until one day it didnt.

[khanh dam]

"A complete new 6.6kw system is advertised for $3461 Aud"

NICE. I guess we are getting ripped off in USA! One would have to do the install themselves to get close to that price or even close. Add in thousands in rapid shut down and/or permit and engineered drawings costs baloon.

[solar pete]

"A complete new 6.6kw system is advertised for $3461 Aud"

Just factor in that that 6.6kW for $3461 is the out of pocket cost after about $3,000 worth of STC's (small scale technology certificates) come of the top AND its using really cheap second rate inverter, that said you can get a top quality system ( Fronius inverter) for $6,000 out of pocket cost. The reason we sell so much solar here in SA (South Australia) is because we have the second highest rate for electricity prices in the western word and we get decent Asian made panels quite cheap.

As far as that video goes. I cant be bothered watching it but it sounds like a load of BS

[solarix]

I call B.S. on the panels being bad. PV panels of any brand are extremely reliable. This dealer is just pushing their expensive LG panels. The video shows zero information on demonstrating what was "bad" about the panels. I was cringing as the worker was cutting off the leads right at the j-box which ruined them forever. Pretty shameful for a dealer to be taking advantage of a ignorant homeowner....

[Mike90250]

... as the worker was cutting off the leads right at the j-box which .......

Yep, that panel's bad. and that one, and that one snip snip snip....