Solar energy systems have become increasingly popular due to their potential for reducing electricity bills and providing a sustainable energy source. At the heart of many residential and commercial solar energy systems are inverters, which convert the direct current (DC) produced by solar panels into alternating current (AC) used by most household appliances. Among the types of inverters, micro inverters have gained significant attention for their ability to optimize the performance of each solar panel individually. However, like any sophisticated technology, solar micro inverters can encounter problems.
To solve the problem of the solar micro inverter not working, you need to carry out inverter troubleshooting and overhaul, check the solar panel connecting wires and battery packs, and find and remove the obstacles to ensure that the inverter works properly. There may be many reasons why the solar micro inverter does not work, specifically, there may be the following points.
Failure
1. Inverter Failure: Inverter internal circuit failures, such as capacitor burnout, output circuit short circuit, or poor contact of power cord, etc., result in the inverter not working normally.
2. Ambient temperature is too high or too low: solar micro inverters are generally used outdoors, the ambient temperature is too high or too low may affect its normal work. Generally speaking, the working temperature of the inverter should be between -10°C~50°C.
3. Inverter overload protection: If the output power of the microinverter exceeds its rated power, it will start the overload protection, resulting in the inverter not working. It is necessary to reduce the number of solar panels or replace the inverter with a more powerful one.
4. DC terminal failure: Poor contact with the solar panel's connecting wires, damaged solar panels, aging battery packs, etc. may cause the DC terminal of the inverter to fail. Prevention includes regular maintenance, proper installation, and using high-quality materials. Addressing DC terminal failures promptly is crucial to prevent further electrical issues or potential safety hazards such as fires or equipment damage.
5. Inverter not grounded: An inverter not being grounded poses significant safety risks, such as electric shocks and fire hazards. Proper grounding ensures that any fault currents are safely directed to the earth, preventing electrical shocks and damage to connected devices. Without grounding, the micro inverter and its connected system can experience voltage fluctuations, leading to malfunctions or damage.
6. Battery panel failure: If the battery panel is damaged, then the DC power generated by the battery panel cannot be properly transmitted to the micro grid inverter, which results in the inverter not working properly.
7. Insufficient component voltage: Insufficient component voltage occurs when an electronic component receives less voltage than required for optimal operation. This can lead to suboptimal performance, malfunction, or complete failure. The working voltage of the inverter is from 100V to 500V, when it is lower than 100V, the inverter does not work.
8. Loose or aging power cord: Loose or aging power cord will also cause the pv micro inverter can't work properly. PV input terminals are reversed. The DC switch is not closed. When components are connected in series, one of the connectors is not connected properly. One component is short-circuited, causing the other strings to also not work.
The following measures to deal with
- Check if the power supply of the inverter is working properly. If the power supply is normal but the pv micro inverter still can't be turned on, it may be due to the fuse inside the inverter being burnt out or the capacitor being invalid. At this time, you need to open the inverter for checking, if the capacitor fails, you need to replace the corresponding capacitor; if the fuse burns out, you need to replace the fuse.
- If the output power of the inverter does not change with the solar radiation, then it may be because of the utility failure or internal failure of the inverter. At this time, you need to check whether the utility switch of the inverter is normal or not and whether there is poor contact between the utility and the solar panel. If the contact between the utility and solar panel is normal, but the photovoltaic micro inverter still can't work properly, it may be because the inverter is damaged internally and needs to be repaired or replaced.
- If the battery voltage is not normal, then it may be due to the failure of the micro on grid inverter internal circuit board or the battery itself. At this time, you need to check whether the battery contact is good or not, if the battery contact is good but the voltage is still not normal, then it may be the inverter circuit board failure, you need to replace the circuit board; if it is the failure of the battery itself, then you need to replace the battery.
- If the three-phase voltage or current output from the inverter is severely out of balance, then it may be due to a damaged AC output module inside the inverter. At this point, the inverter needs to be opened to check if the module is damaged, if it is then the module needs to be replaced.
- If the inverter is overheating, it may be due to poor heat dissipation or a large amount of dust accumulation on the solar panels. In this case, you need to check whether the heat sink of the grid tie inverter is working properly and clean the solar panel. If the ambient temperature is too low or too high, it is recommended to change the installation location or install a sunshade, add a fan, etc.
- Ensure that the inverter is not poorly grounded or ungrounded, which could lead to leakage. The rated power of the solar cell micro inverter reduces the number of solar panels appropriately or replaces the solar micro inverter with a more powerful one. Make sure the inverter is grounded properly.
- Measure the DC input voltage of the micro inverter with a meter voltage gear, when the voltage is normal, the total voltage is the sum of the voltage of each component. If there is no voltage, test the DC switch, terminals, cable connectors, and components in turn to see if they are normal. If there are multiple components, separate access tests. If the inverter is used for some time and no reason is found, the inverter hardware circuit is faulty, and you can contact the manufacturer for after-sale treatment.
Solar micro inverters are critical components of modern solar energy systems, offering numerous advantages in terms of efficiency and reliability. However, like all technology, they can experience issues that affect their performance. Understanding the common causes of micro inverter failures and knowing how to troubleshoot these problems can ensure that your solar energy system operates smoothly and efficiently. By taking preventive measures and staying vigilant, you can maximize the lifespan and performance of your solar microinverters, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of clean energy.
