If you own an older solar system with a single central string inverter and it’s starting to fail, you have more options than just a straight swap. Here’s how to think through the decision. Why Older String Inverters Fail More Often String inverters were the dominant residential technology through roughly 2015, and a single unit […]
If you’ve had a solar inspection and were told your wiring is “not properly secured” or “in contact with the roof surface,” it’s worth understanding exactly what that means — because this is one of the more common deficiencies found on systems installed by crews that cut corners on wire management, and it’s a genuine […]
Most inverter error codes are performance issues — inconvenient, but not dangerous. An arc fault error is different. It’s a safety detection, built into your inverter specifically to catch a condition that can start an electrical fire. If your system has flagged an arc fault, it deserves a faster response than a typical production drop. […]
SunPower-branded systems use either SunPower’s own inverter hardware or OEM units depending on install year. Error codes display on the inverter unit or through the SunPower monitoring app, when it’s still accessible. Common SunPower Error Codes Arc Fault Detected: A safety-critical fault, not a routine performance issue. See our guide on arc fault errors for […]
The PVI series was one of Power-One’s original residential and commercial string inverter lines, later carried forward under ABB and eventually Fimer. Like the related Aurora line, PVI inverters are now a discontinued platform — most units still in service are well over a decade old. Common PVI Error Codes Arc Fault Warning: A safety […]
Aurora inverters, originally manufactured by Power-One and later absorbed into ABB and then Fimer, were widely installed on residential solar systems in the 2008-2014 range. The platform has since been discontinued, which materially changes the service picture for homeowners who still have one in operation. Common Aurora Error Codes Arc Fault Warning: A safety-critical fault. […]
ABB sold its solar inverter division to Fimer in 2020, which affects how support and replacement parts are sourced today. If you own an ABB-branded UNO-DM, TRIO, or legacy PVI-series inverter, here’s what common fault codes mean and what your service options look like now that the platform has changed hands. Common ABB / Fimer […]
Fronius string inverters — the Primo, Symo, and older Galvo series — display faults as numbered state codes on the built-in screen or through the Fronius Solar.web monitoring portal. Here’s what the most frequently reported ones mean. Common Fronius Error Codes State 509 (Arc Fault Detected): A safety-related fault, not a routine performance code. See […]
SMA is one of the longest-standing string inverter manufacturers in the solar industry, and its Sunny Boy and Sunny Tripower lines remain in service on thousands of older residential systems. SMA reports faults as numbered codes on the inverter’s built-in display or through Sunny Portal monitoring. Common SMA Error Codes Error 3001-3005 (Grid Fault): The […]
SolarEdge is one of the most widely installed string inverter platforms in the U.S., and its display and monitoring app report faults through numbered error codes. Here’s what the most common ones mean and how urgently each needs attention. How to Find Your Error Code SolarEdge inverters show a code directly on the front LCD […]