Troubleshooting GoodWe inverters: common issues, smart fixes

Solar inverters form the backbone of any solar energy solution, playing a valuable and central role in the entire system. And much of that is going to be down to the function that solar inverters have: that is, as the name suggests, is to invert the direct current coming from the solar panels, into usable alternating current for the premises. And since this is what essentially makes the energy usable, therefore, solar inverters are absolutely crucial to the functioning of the solar energy system. And in this blog post, we will take a look at some of the common issues that GoodWe solar inverters might present, and how you, the consumer can troubleshoot them and get rid of these issues. Let’s get started.

Common solar inverter issues

Solar inverters, given their heavy-duty tasks of converting energy for use, are pretty reliable and durable, and usually stand and sustain whatever the environment or consumer demands from them. However, there might be times when the solar inverter might falter, or present with certain issues that might throw off consumers, especially those who aren’t necessarily well-versed with the functioning of an inverter. But rest assured, a good majority of the issues that spring up with solar inverters can be resolved easily and without any major intervention from companies or support staff. Here are some common issues and their quick fixes for GoodWe solar inverters.

i. Inverter overheating
One of the most common issues that not just GoodWe, but solar energy solution owners in general face is the issue of overheating, especially with the solar inverter. And while it is fairly normal for solar inverters to emit heat during operation, several reasons may cause them to overheat. For instance, due to poor ventilation, bad wiring or simply due to excessive overcharging, the solar inverter may overheat, which is when it will usually display an error message before shutting off. In the case that happens and the inverter shuts off regularly, it might be worth looking into the ventilation of the room where it is, checking the wiring, and if everything is working fine, calling a professional team to ensure that the overcharging isn’t affecting the inverter.

ii. Inverter tripping
Much like any piece of electric equipment, tripping can be a sign that something might be wrong with the solar inverter. Tripping, or constant shut downs, can happen due to a number of reasons; from faulty equipment to electrical or wiring issues, a tripping inverter is never good news. Troubleshooting for a tripping inverter involves firstly ensuring that the physical attributes are fine (wiring, electrical connections etc). If the tripping seems to be originating from within the inverter, it could be a software or firmware issue, which can simply be resolved by a simple restart. This usually solves the problem, but if the issue persists, it might be time to call your solar solution provider.

iii. Performance drops
Solar inverters and by extension, solar energy solutions are all about performance. If a solar energy inverter cannot perform at its peak for an extended period of time, it might not necessarily be a good solar inverter. Which is why, if your inverter experiences performance or efficiency drops, it might be a problem for you, the consumer. Once again, usually, it relates to physical issues like wiring, connections with the solar panels or array, or other issues related to the equipment being used besides the solar inverter. Or, it could be a software or firmware problem, which, once again, only usually requires a quick restart procedure to rectify. However, consistent performance drops or a persistent issue with performance is usually an indicator of deeper, more technical issues with the inverter, which might merit a replacement or a look by the solar energy company.