Solar panel installer gone?
In the solar industry, many companies have come and gone. Some installers were ill-prepared, selling cheap components that later caused (too many) problems, and eventually threw in the towel. Others had bad luck in different ways and went bankrupt. Whatever the reason, the result is that many solar panel owners can no longer rely on their original installer when something goes wrong.
Red warning light
Most of the calls we receive come from people who see an error message on their inverter. Sometimes it’s a display message, or a red light that wasn’t there before. These customers often first look for a phone number for the inverter manufacturer, only to find that manufacturers usually only deal with installers. Private individuals are advised to contact their installer to resolve the issue. But what if the installer no longer exists?
Many manufacturers have built up a network of trusted installers to whom they can refer customers — and that’s how many people end up at Zonnefabriek.
Certified installer
Zonnefabriek is a certified installer for our preferred brands, including SMA and SolarEdge inverters, SunPower solar panels, and batteries. This means we can often help people with these products directly — and sometimes, a quick explanation over the phone is enough. If something is actually broken and components need to be replaced, we can file a warranty claim on behalf of the customer. These brands have well-organized warranties, and the manufacturer pays us for the repair work.
Some other brands also have service partners in the Netherlands — but not always. In those cases, getting service or claiming warranty can be difficult. For example, many Chinese solar panel manufacturers are unresponsive when it comes to repairs or replacements.
Connectors, wiring & residual current devices
Sometimes the components themselves are still in good condition, but other installation issues arise: for example, connectors between the panels may come loose, or water might have entered the system. The wiring to the fuse box might be too thin, causing the inverter voltage to rise too high. Or no consideration was given to capacitive leakage, causing the residual current device to trip frequently. These types of problems often don’t appear until some time has passed — possibly after the installation warranty has expired or the installer has already gone out of business. Installers who often make such mistakes usually don’t last long.
Think long-term
The Zonnefabriek Service Team has helped many non-Zonnefabriek customers get their systems working again — though of course, this does come at a cost. Many of these customers thought they were saving money by choosing a cheaper installer. Our advice: remember that solar panels are a long-term investment. Let quality and reliability be your top priorities when making a decision.
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T: +31 (0)20- 6766614 |
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