O investor is the central component of a photovoltaic system, whose function is to convert the electricity produced by direct current (DC) photovoltaic modules into alternating current (AC).
As it assumes the function of energy conversion, the equipment will generate heat during operation. In this scenario, the quality of main components is very important to keep the plant in full operation without having its performance compromised.
And, like any product, the inverter is subject to failure. Given this, the Canal Solar spoke with some manufacturers in the photovoltaic market to answer the main doubts of professionals with regard to the processes to carry out the inverter maintenance. Check out:
How are inverters repaired? Is the board replaced or repaired?
The manufacturer Fronius from Brazil, for example, has a local team that resolves much of the demand received remotely.
According to Thyago Ferreira, Customer Service manager at Fronius, for more complex demands, there is the option of sending the equipment to the repair center in São Bernardo do Campo (SP), or calling one of the 40 authorized technical assistance centers. “It is worth noting that in our repair process the damaged plate is replaced,” he explained.
Already PHB Solar informed that he always tries to help solve the problem on-site (on site), with simple parameter changes or even some voltage and current measurements.
“We investigated the possibility of inverter firmware updates. And if not resolved, we proceed with the RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization). The entire process is carried out in São Paulo (SP)”, said Ivan Sarturi, who is part of the PHB engineering and team.
“First, we investigate the extent of the damage. If we identify that there is the possibility of exchanging components, such as fuses, DPS, relays, capacitors, displays, connectors, diodes, photocoupler, fan, resistor and IGBTs, we will exchange them and continue with the tests to identify whether the equipment continues to be in good operating quality. , both from the point of view of performance and operational safety”, he explained.
According to him, if the damage has compromised the product, it will be exchanged for the same model or equivalent.
Pedro Almeida, electrical engineer at Solis, also discussed the subject and highlighted that the company has a service center in Brazil, located in Campinas (SP).
“The center is equipped with conventional products, spare parts and testing equipment. There are also qualified engineers in the South, Southeast, Northeast and Midwest regions,” he emphasized.
“The Solis Brasil team is available seven days a week, with engineers on duty on weekends. When customers need help, simply our pre-sales and post-sales team via WhatsApp to get professional help”, pointed out Almeida.
“As Solis has a low failure rate, to ensure a quick response to after-sales problems during the use of the inverter, once a quality problem occurs, we provide customers with free replacement services in Brazil as soon as possible ”, he stressed.
Furthermore, he commented that the after-sales service center in Campinas can also provide repair services for out-of-warranty situations. “In all cases, the end customer has no costs to activate the inverter warranty”, he concluded.
When questioned, the Renew stated that it provides service to all accredited and end customers who seek its services through its various means of service (Whatsapp, telephone, website service and emails).
“We can assist with technical issues, questions about equipment and installation, equipment problems and even clarifications about the photovoltaic sector”, said Vanderleia Ferraz, technical and warranty manager at Renovigi.
“Within the technical sector, there is the laboratory sector, which carries out repairs on products, whenever possible, for 'out of warranty' cases, that is, those whose problem does not fall under warranty (meltdown due to bad connection or external outbreak, for example) and also for those who have already exceeded the deadline”, he explained.
The first action, according to her, is always to carry out a complete scan, in order to identify the problem and what corrections are necessary. For this analysis, design information, component analysis, welding, connections and tests are often required. After the analysis, the repair is carried out, always with the replacement of parts, cleaning and final tests.
“Based on the analysis, if it is found that the problem is at the board level, it is necessary to replace it, and it is not possible to repair the board, in order to guarantee quality”, reported Vanderleia.
Does the inverter need to be taken to the laboratory? Who pays the shipping cost? How long it takes?
According to Thyago Ferreira, if it is necessary to send equipment to the Fronius repair center, the customer is responsible for delivering the inverter, and if a manufacturing defect is found, the manufacturer carries out the repair, and returns the product to the .
“After receiving the equipment for analysis, our average time until the equipment leaves is 10 days. ing that the customer has the option of calling authorized technical assistance, if available within a 150 km radius”, he explained.
In the case of PHB, Ivan Sarturi said that the client's on-site investigation is essential precisely to prevent the equipment from not generating power for a while and also to avoid unnecessary expenses.
“Whenever it is identified that the extent of the damage requires replacement of board components, it must be taken to the PHB laboratory. Even for functional tests to be repeated before and after repairing the equipment”, he pointed out.
“The shipping cost depends on where the error originated. If it was an installation error, the repair can still be carried out, but the repair and shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. If there is equipment failure, all the costs are covered by PHB”, highlighted Sarturi.
Regarding the time to complete the repair and delivery process, he commented that it mainly depends on the customer's region or the carrier itself, since the repair itself normally takes between 15 hours and up to three business days.
“Transport time, which is the main delay factor, can take between 24 hours to São Paulo capital up to 18 days, for example, in extreme cases”, he said.
Solis stated that it is not necessary to take the equipment to the laboratory. Failure analysis is carried out remotely or through field visits by the after-sales team.
“Our engineers can remotely diagnose the inverter through the monitoring system. In more complex cases, engineers located in the South, Southeast, Northeast and Center-West regions can quickly visit the project site or bring the product back to Campinas for further testing”, he emphasized.
“Overall, our main philosophy is to respond quickly, so we provide customers with replacement machines as quickly as possible, free of charge. If it is necessary to activate the warranty and have the equipment replaced, the costs are the responsibility of the distributor and Solis”, reported Almeida.
According to him, the average time between activating the warranty and replacing the equipment is between one and two weeks. “The guarantee is approved on the same day that the customer carries out and sends the tests requested by Solis, leaving only the logistics time for delivery to the end customer”.
“Cases outside of warranty and damaged by design, installation or operation errors are analyzed individually. In general, it is possible to supply parts for repair and return to operation of this equipment”, he pointed out.
Regarding Renovigi, Vanderleia stated that the equipment needs to be taken to the laboratory, in order to guarantee safety and maintain the quality of maintenance.
“Handling inside the equipment is only permitted for authorized personnel. If the inverter is opened in the field, for any reason, the warranty for that product will be void,” he commented.
In cases where the equipment has a defect that is not covered by the warranty or has exceeded its expiration date, the cost of shipping, freight and labor will be borne by the customer.
“For evaluation and repair, between 5 and 15 days, depending on the magnitude of the repair that needs to be carried out. Furthermore, there is the transportation time, which depends on the region and the carrier”, he concluded.
What is a repair laboratory like? Are the laboratories equipped to guarantee the quality of the service?
The customer service manager at Fronius said that the company's repair center is prepared to simulate the most extreme operating and application conditions of the products, providing the return of the equipment under the same factory supply conditions.
Regarding PHB, the company's engineer highlighted that the laboratory has components for testing such as a photovoltaic simulator, bidirectional AC source, oscilloscope and DC sources.
“Our assistance has 20 employees, who work repairing the equipment, not to mention all the logistics and that involves more people. There are around 100 inverters repaired monthly on average”, he explained.
At Solis, Pedro Almeida emphasized that the team and structure are qualified to carry out repairs on inverters, such as changing power boards, communications, connectors, etc.
“Due to the low failure rate of Solis inverters, preference is given to exchanging the equipment under warranty. This way it is possible to speed up the warranty process, reduce costs and minimize customer downtime”, said the specialist.
In the case of Renovigi, the repair laboratory has benches for electronic tests and tests and repair material, such as sources, oscilloscopes, transformers, multimeters, electronic components, handling tools.
“Renovigi’s laboratories have a team of specialized technicians and the necessary equipment to guarantee the quality of service provision”, highlighted the technical and guarantee manager.
Do inverters undergo testing after repair?
Ferreira explained that at Fronius, after each repair operation, the inverters are updated, and in this process all conditions of use of the equipment are simulated, in addition to the appropriate safety tests.
Sarturi shares the same premise, saying that every time after carrying out the repair, PHB carries out tests to ensure perfect functioning. When exchanging equipment, the inverter is also tested normally.
Solis isn't left out either. “All inverters are tested after repairs to maintain product quality and efficiency. To this end, internal regulations, international and national standards are followed, as well as good engineering practices to test and make the solution functional again”, highlighted Almeida.
“At Renovigi we always value maintaining the quality of our equipment, which is why any and all repairs, no matter how simple, require tests after completion to certify the quality”, explained Vanderleia Ferraz.
“All Renovigi equipment has a direct guarantee with Renovigi. In other words, if the defective product is within its warranty period and presents a problem consistent with a manufacturing defect, we guarantee an exchange for the same or equivalent model”, he explained.
“It is important to that, for cases that do not fall under warranty or are out of date, a repair service can be offered”, he pointed out.
Therefore, for manufacturers that do not offer this type of service, the customer is really left without assistance and will need to look for electronics in general for repairs.
“Therefore, it is important, when purchasing equipment that needs to have a long useful life, to consider that companies need to be solid for the useful life of the products, and that they offer some in relation to out-of-warranty repairs”, he concluded. .
