[RE-wrenches] Fwd: Solar Edge Optimizer failures

Wed Feb 3 09:13:21 PST 2016

Hi Lena,
That's really interesting, thanks for sharing. What I'm curious about is
why the arc-fault detection in the SolarEdge inverter didn't detect  any
problem before the optimizers failed...as this sounds like an  arc-faulting
situation. I wonder if it has to do with where exactly the fault happens,
on the PV/module  side of the optimizer, rather than the higher voltage
inverter input circuit? I've been told that arcing fault noise signatures
can be detected  across electronics, but I don't  really know if that is
true. Since the NEC doesn't require arc-fault protection on the <80V
circuit, there isn't a Code issue regardless, but I'm curious to find out
more about this.
Best,
Rebekah

On Fri, Jan 29, 2016 at 6:11 PM, Lena Wilensky <lena at nunatakenergy.com>
wrote:

>
> Thanks for the input on SolarEdge.  We finally sorted the issue out.
> Turns out somehow we got the wrong optimizers from our distributor - the
> details are a bit cloudy since it was over a year ago.  But the short is we
> had optimizers with Amphenol connectors, and "Hosiden" brand MC4 connectors
> on the REC modules.  Apparently (we were told by the distributor at the
> time of install) that Amphenol and MC4 mate just fine.  And we got
> confirmation from Solar Edge that they usually do mate fine.  But the
> Hosiden brand MC4 that comes on the REC modules are about 1/100" off from
> MC4 brand MC4's, and while they mate great with MC4 brand (this is all
> documented), they are a bit wide for Amphenol and will heat and stretch
> over time and eventually create a small short in the connector, effectively
> frying the optimizer.
>
> So even with manufacturer's and distributor's blessings we will only be
> using matching brands of connectors from now on!  I have to say that our
> lower level tech support from SE was a bit lacking this time around, but
> once we got moved to the higher level team they were great.  Took a bit of
> kicking and screaming (and 3 trips to swap out failed optimizers) to get
> there, though.  Thankfully it seems like SE still has a good track record
> of reliability even in our neighborhood!
>
> Lena
>
> -----------------------
>
> We?ve had a similar experience as Carl has on this. We have 929 kW of SE
> up and running (mix of commercial and residential, so roughly 2000 actual
> optimizers) with only a handful of DOA?s or infant mortalities (total of
> maybe 10-15 so far). Service is reimbursed just like you say (does not
> truly cover the cost, unless the job is next door). But it has not happened
> enough, or in any sort of pattern for us to have gotten riled up about it
> so far.
>
>
>
> Daniel Young,
>
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation ProfessionalTM: Cert #031508-90
>
>
>
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On
> Behalf Of Carl Adams
> Sent: Friday, January 08, 2016 12:17 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Edge Optimizer failures
>
>
>
> Lena,
>
>
>
> We've been installing the Solar Edge product for a few years now and are
> experiencing good reliability.  I think we have had 2 optimizers which were
> DOA from the factory.  One was completely dead the other had a 25% reduced
> output.  No problems with warranty replacements.
>
>
>
> With Regards
>
> Carl Adams, SunRock Solar
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 8, 2016 at 12:07 PM, Lena Wilensky <lena at nunatakenergy.com>
> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
> (970)349-3432
> www.nunatakenergy.com
> NABCEP Certified PV Installers:
> Cert.#031310-177, #R02907-17
>
>
>
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-- 
Tel: 336.266.8800
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional™ 091209-85
NC Licensed Electrical Contractor
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