[RE-wrenches] Solar Edge Optimizer failures

[Lena Wilensky]

We've had a strange set of recurring failures from one Solaredge install.
It's a straightforward 5kw system with 20 x REC 255W modules and P300-5 SE
optimizers.

System was commissioned in 11/2014 and ran fine for about 6mo.  At that
time one optimizer failed - gave module short circuit voltage on the
optimizer output when disconnected from the rest of the array.  Nothing
visibly wrong.  Rest of the array worked fine.

About 3mo later (this past august), 2 more optimizers failed.  We gave
Solaredge an earful, but they were only willing to send replacements for
the 2 newly failed units and 2 spare optimizers for future failures.  Same
failure apparently with high output voltage from the optimizer when
disconnected from the array.  They said they had never heard of this
happening multiple times and would do an optimizer autopsy.

We just had another one fail 2 weeks ago.  They apparently tested the 2
failed ones from august and found no water intrusion on the optimizer or
connectors.  This is all the testing they can do in the US for these potted
units.  They recently sent the failed units to Israel to test them, but
don't expect results for at least 6mo or more.  Solaredge claims they've
never seen anything like this and so far they have refused to send
replacements for the rest of the "good" optimizers in the array claiming
that the optimizers may not be the issue.  Really?

Anyone heard of or seen any "batch" failures of these optimizers?  Or have
a good contact at Solaredge?  I'm about ready to swap in an SMA inverter at
this point, and stay away from module level anything from now on.  We're
going to have to triple our prices to pay for all this warranty work, as
Solaredge only gives $25/optimizer and $100/incident to "help" with labor
costs.

Thanks for any insight....
Lena Wilensky

www.nunatakenergy.com
970-349-3432
NABCEP Certified PV Installer:
Cert. #R02907-17
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20160108/2a21f1b8/attachment-0001.html>