Swapping a failed inverter of the FITs scheme

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Marcus
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:25 pm

Swapping a failed inverter of the FITs scheme

#1

Post by Marcus »

Hi all, i expect this question has been asked before, but a friends inverter has failed (samil power 3.68kw - eeprom error). And they were asking if i could replace it?

I'm not MCS certified so i was wondering if anyone could advise? I have actually done one before, but that was a warranty replacement and the manufacturer (fronius iirc) simply registered me as one of their installers for the duration so i could do the like for like swap.

In this case though, samil power / solar river are long gone and there's no warranty and the company that did the installation is gone too. I was thinking if i could find a 2nd hand samil and swap like for like there shouldn't be an issue, but if replacing with something different i have a feeling MCS paperwork might be required?
450W hydro-electric
5110W pv
1.3kw Wt2 - not yet producing
6kWh lead acid - maybe 1kwh useable
LiMnCo battery made from 2nd hand hybrid car modules 3.6kwh nominal 24v.
300lt hot water tank and two storage heaters
ASHP Grant Aerona 3 10.5kw and UFH
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nowty
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Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:36 pm
Location: South Coast

Re: Swapping a failed inverter of the FITs scheme

#2

Post by nowty »

Absolutely fine, even officially but my advice is don't involve DNO or FIT provider, especially if using a second hand inverter. Grief for no benefit, there is no record on the MCS certificate of inverter and 90% sure DNO won't have a record of it either, especially if it was put in long ago.

DNO might not like a second hand inverter as it might not be to latest G98 regulations.

FIT provider might have a problem with second hand gear as there was a restriction on not using second hand gear for FIT installations but I don't believe that extends to replacement and repairs.

Don't even think Part P applies as its a repair of existing circuit.

Its a simple JFDI.
Last edited by nowty on Fri Oct 07, 2022 5:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Marcus
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:25 pm

Re: Swapping a failed inverter of the FITs scheme

#3

Post by Marcus »

Thanks Nowty,

I can self certify for regular electrical anyway, but it's the MCS stuff.

My principal issue with replacing with something new is if it works better than the old inverter, will that raise questions from the Fit payer. If it were my own I'd replace and say nothing - but as it's someone else's i don't want to do anything to b*gger up their FIT payments
450W hydro-electric
5110W pv
1.3kw Wt2 - not yet producing
6kWh lead acid - maybe 1kwh useable
LiMnCo battery made from 2nd hand hybrid car modules 3.6kwh nominal 24v.
300lt hot water tank and two storage heaters
ASHP Grant Aerona 3 10.5kw and UFH
Marcus
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:25 pm

Re: Swapping a failed inverter of the FITs scheme

#4

Post by Marcus »

I suppose the next question is what replacement would folks recommend- finding a good matching s/h samil power is proving challenging anyway - with no guarantee it'll last well.
450W hydro-electric
5110W pv
1.3kw Wt2 - not yet producing
6kWh lead acid - maybe 1kwh useable
LiMnCo battery made from 2nd hand hybrid car modules 3.6kwh nominal 24v.
300lt hot water tank and two storage heaters
ASHP Grant Aerona 3 10.5kw and UFH
marshman
Posts: 614
Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:58 pm

Re: Swapping a failed inverter of the FITs scheme

#5

Post by marshman »

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Last edited by marshman on Sun Jun 11, 2023 2:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Marcus
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:25 pm

Re: Swapping a failed inverter of the FITs scheme

#6

Post by Marcus »

Good.
Thx
450W hydro-electric
5110W pv
1.3kw Wt2 - not yet producing
6kWh lead acid - maybe 1kwh useable
LiMnCo battery made from 2nd hand hybrid car modules 3.6kwh nominal 24v.
300lt hot water tank and two storage heaters
ASHP Grant Aerona 3 10.5kw and UFH
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