2021 Solar Inverter Replacement Cost | Top Inverter Brands

Solar inverters are complex systems that can be prone to problems and eventually wear down and need to be replaced. In this guide, we’ll show the current 2021 solar inverter replacement costs for the top solar inverter brands.

Fronius Inverter Replacement

Austrian brand Fronius is one of the leading manufacturers in the market when it comes to photovoltaic electronics and solar inverters and accessories. Fronius solar inverters are known to be efficient and reliable which makes them perfect for residential and commercial uses. The introduction of the brand’s SnapINverter series (Primo and Symo) was pivotal in Fronius’ emergence as a leader in solar inverters.

When Fronius inverters encounter problems, it will be displayed as fault codes that pertain to certain problems. In the SnapINverter series, the common fault codes displayed are ‘state 461’ and ‘state 457’ which signify problems in the software that only needs to be updated. However, if the solar inverter displays fault codes other than these two, then it might mean that the whole inverter needs to be replaced.

Fronius inverters are also accompanied by a 5-year warranty. Currently with an extra 5 year promotion warranty ending December 2021.

Fronius Primo Cost

Fronius Primo solar inverters are one of the best for residential installations. These are reliable single-phase string inverters with a unique snap-in design and a great interface that is user-friendly. Their performance reliability stems from the “active cooling” system which is a feature that prevents the inverter from overheating by extracting heat at a high rate, efficiently reducing thermal stress to improve performance. Primo inverters have a range of power ratings from 3.0kW to 8.2kW.

If you are looking to replace your residential Fronius Primo inverter, expect to spend between $1800 to $3000 for supply and installation.

Fronius Symo Cost

The Fronius Symo is a transformer-less, three-phase inverter with power ratings from 3.0kW to 20.0kW. It is great for residential and commercial use and because of its SuperFlex design, it is also ideal for irregularly-shaped roofs. The Fronius Symo is supported by an IP65 weather rating meaning it can be mounted outdoors as well as indoors. It has a Dynamic Peak Manager which allows the Symo to generate more output compared to traditional string inverters. Because of it, the unit is very reliable even in remote areas.

The cost to replace a Fronius Symo solar inverter ranges from $2000 to $3000.

Growatt Inverter Replacement

Growatt is a Chinese solar inverter manufacturer established in 2010 that offers affordable single-phase, three-phase, and storage solutions with power ratings ranging from 1kW to 1.26MW. Growatt inverters are hybrids which allows you to add battery storage. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider choosing from these inverters.

Prices for Growatt inverter replacements start from $800. Growatt inverters have a 5-year warranty valid from the date of installation. It can also be extended up to 10 years.

These solar inverters have faced problems such as relay issues, no AC connection, and AC V out of range. A solar expert can fix these problems but in case the equipment suffers from severe damage, replacement might be the only solution.

Zeversolar Inverter Replacement

Zeversolar is a Chinese solar inverter manufacturing company that specialises in reliable and efficient single-phase and three-phase string inverters perfect for residential and commercial use. Zeversolar inverters have power ratings that range from 1kW to 10kW and they are lightweight with IP65 cover. With over 10 years in the industry, Zeversolar has been able to produce the following affordable inverters:

  • Zeverlution S
  • Zeverlution 5000
  • Evershine TLC 5000

Zeversolar inverters usually encounter problems such as utility loss, isolation failure, vac failure, and relay-check fault. However, there are times that the inverter displays error codes that are not listed in the installation manual. In this case, a solar expert is needed. The problem might get fixed immediately or the equipment might be replaced. The cost to replace a Zeversolar Inverter depends on the model and ranges from $725 to $1200. The Zeversolar range is now not in circulation and we recommend an alternative replacement such as the Growatt or GoodWe.

GoodWe Inverter Replacement

As one of the leading manufacturers of solar inverters in the market, GoodWe has produced solar inverters that are largely used in residential rooftops, energy solutions, ground utilities, and commercial systems.  Their single-phase and three-phase string inverters have a range of power ratings from 1.5kW to 36kW.

GoodWe inverters are not immune to problems. In the long run, it will face issues such as utility loss, relay-check fault, over-temperature, PV over-voltage, and vac failure. These problems can be fixed by a solar expert, but if the solar inverter suffers from device failure, a replacement might be the only solution.

If you have a GoodWe solar inverter that needs to be replaced, it will usually cost between $1290 to $1499 depending on the model. GoodWe solar inverters usually are accompanied by a 5-year warranty which can be extended up to 25 years.

Eversolar  Inverter Replacement

Started in 2007, Eversolar has since become one of the biggest solar inverter manufacturers in the market today. Eventually, in 2012, the company changed its name to Zeversolar. As Eversolar, the company has produced inverters that are a fusion of Chinese efficiency and German quality namely:

  • Eversol TL1500
  • Eversol TL2000
  • Eversol TL3000

Eversolar inverters are known to encounter problems such as isolation fault and relay fault. Normally, it can easily be fixed by a solar expert but in the event that it cannot be repaired, you might need a replacement. The cost to replace an Eversolar inverter starts at $750. We recommend an alternative replacement such as the Growatt or GoodWe.

What’s the Cost of Removing and Replacing Solar Panels?

Solar panels need to be properly handled when it comes to removing and replacing them as they are very delicate. They have electrical wirings that might cause further problems if they are not properly handled or are not serviced by a professional. If the work is done by yourself, you also need to take extra precautions to avoid falling from the roof. However, the best way to remove and replace solar panels is to hire the services of a professional.

The cost of removing solar panels depends on several factors:

  • Removal or uninstalling of mounting hardware
  • Shipping and storage of materials
  • Cleaning of solar panels
  • Fixing or replacing the roof

 

The average cost of removing solar panels ranges from $1,800 to $3,000 or even higher depending on the factors mentioned and even on the size and number of solar panels.

If solar panels have been badly damaged, it is more efficient to replace them than fix them. The average cost of replacing solar panels can range from $15,000 to $30,000. In the case of replacing the solar panels, the cost will be affected by the following factors:

  • The number of solar panels
  • The type of solar panel
  • Rooftop evaluation and ease of installation
  • Household electrical demand
  • Solar panel mounting hardware
  • Solar inverter
  • Labor

Are Solar Inverters Covered By Insurance?

While most homeowner insurance policies cover solar inverters, not all damages will be covered. If the solar system incurs an electrical breakdown (improper wiring or testing, wrong installation) or mechanical breakdown (poor maintenance, weathering), it will be excluded from the policy. This is why a separate policy might be needed in order to cover the losses or damages.

To make sure your solar inverter is covered by insurance, check your current policy and determine whether you need a separate policy or if you only need to increase the amount of your coverage.

How Much Does It Cost To Install An Inverter?

Solar panels cannot function if there is no inverter. Depending on the size of the solar installation (in watts), the installation of an inverter usually has an average cost of $1000 to $1500. You can actually compute the installation of an inverter by multiplying the installation size by the average inverter cost. This way, you could identify whether you are being overcharged or undercharged by a solar installer.

How Much Does It Cost To Install An Inverter?

Solar inverters have shorter lifespans than solar panels since they have electrical components that are more sensitive to heat and more prone to damage and failure. Strong solar inverters usually last for 10 to 15 years while some microinverters and DC optimizers have longer lifespans, lasting 20 to 25 years.

The life expectancy of a solar inverter depends on many factors such as:

  • Heat and humidity
  • Maintenance
  • Solar inverter manufacturer
  • Grade of its electrical components