Replacing a defective panel

[phil221]

Hi - I'm an end user with a 13-panel home system that's 3 years old. One of the panels (Silfab 255M) is defective. The installer is gone (RGS), so I need to deal with the repair.

Question: Can I use ANY brand panel that's 255W or higher? For example, can I use a Trina TSM-260 PA05.08? The size of the Silfab appears to be standard, 65 x 39 inches (1650x990mm), and the only cosmetic consideration is that a black frame would look better. I presume that the installer will need reconfigure/update the system's programming, yes?

Thanks!

[NEOH]

If they are wired SERIES it is better to also match the amps rating, too.

Whats does "... reconfigure/update the system's programming ..." mean?

[phil221]

My system is parallel. iirc, the panels are 36V, which means that the panel is 7A. Yes?

Programming: When they replaced a microinverter, they needed to update the programming to add the replacement microinverter's serial number and identify its position. (My end-user panel is My-Enlighten/Enphase).

[Ampster]

There is a scan mode in the Enlighten software that will update the monitoring box.

[bob-n]

With microinverters, you can put virtually any panel there, lower or higher power. The only caution is that a very high power modern panel may have more capability than your older microinverter can handle. At that point, the microinverter will limit the output, and you won't get your money's worth from that expensive panel. In general, it's not a significant concern.

In addition to color, length, & width, make sure that the panel is the same THICKNESS. 35mm and 40mm are common, and there are other thicknesses.

If you keep the old microinverter and replace the panel, then it's possible that there is no rescan required, but either way, it should happen automatically.

Do you know whether the problem is a bad panel or a bad microinverter? The symptoms of a bad panel can also be caused by a bad microinverter. You or an installer can debug this by switching panels to other microinverters and see where the problem shows up. Both should have >5 year warranty, so your worst-case liability should be debug and installation labor.

[phil221]

Thanks Bob-n. I appreciate your advice!

When RGS was still in business (and responding to warranty claims), their tech swapped out the microinverter with a new one from Enphase, but the problem still existed. He determined that the panel was therefore the problem. Yes, he should have switched two inverters; it's possible (albeit improbable) that two inverters had the exact same defect.

I've been in touch with Silfab. They're approved the warranty, but they want the panel back in Ontario before sending me a new one. I'm currently negotiating with them about the shipping. I have to weigh two trips up to my roof plus the cost of shipping vs. just buying a panel locally and having a solar guy make the one swap-out.

[J.P.M.]

Thanks Bob-n. I appreciate your advice!

When RGS was still in business (and responding to warranty claims), their tech swapped out the microinverter with a new one from Enphase, but the problem still existed. He determined that the panel was therefore the problem. Yes, he should have switched two inverters; it's possible (albeit improbable) that two inverters had the exact same defect.

I've been in touch with Silfab. They're approved the warranty, but they want the panel back in Ontario before sending me a new one. I'm currently negotiating with them about the shipping. I have to weigh two trips up to my roof plus the cost of shipping vs. just buying a panel locally and having a solar guy make the one swap-out.

I'd be interested in reading how those costs shake out and your decision.

Thank you.