Hi. I have had this issue ever since my system was installed over a year ago.

I have a small PV array(due to limited roof space) consisting of 4 x 545w Trina solar panels with a 5kw sunsynk inverter and battery. The panels only produce on average about 2 to 3kwh in a day on a hot day. it actually produces next to nothing from 10am onwards (when it starts to get warmer in the day). In winter it actually produces slightly more (about 5kwh). My minimal understanding of solar generation is that it should work the other way around i.e. produce more on hot days.

Been in contact with the installer numerous times and they have just gone quiet. The one time they did come out to have a look, they advised that they cant find any issues as they have checked everything, and all is fine and cannot seem to advise why the pv generation is so low. Settings are all correct etc. I have searched high and low on Facebook groups, forums etc. to try and check if anyone else experienced the same issue but to no avail. I have even had another installer come and also have a look. He monitored the solar generation over two days and said that these panels are producing nowhere near its required range. He suggested that i replace the panels however not sure if this will guarantee solving the issue and also taking into account the additional cost of installing new solar panels, this would not be feasible.

Has anyone experienced this issue and could possibly advise what could be the cause here?

 

Edited November 20, 20241 yr by Jade4

You need a minimum of 5 panels to keep the MPPT "awake" consistently. Your string voltage with 4 panels is too low.

2 minutes ago, Nexuss said:

You need a minimum of 5 panels to keep the MPPT "awake" consistently. Your string voltage with 4 panels is too low.

Would the exact same solar panel( i.e brand and wattage) need to be installed or can i use another brand with the same wattage?

20 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

Hi. I have had this issue ever since my system was installed over a year ago.

I have a small PV array consisting of 4 x 545w Trina solar panels with a 5kw sunsynk inverter and battery. The panels only produce on average about 2 to 3kwh in a day on a hot day. it actually produces next to nothing from 10am onwards (when it starts to get warmer in the day). In winter it actually produces slightly more (about 5kwh). My minimal understanding of solar generation is that it should work the other way around i.e. produce more on hot days.

Been in contact with the installer numerous times and they have just gone quiet. The one time they did come out to have a look, they advised that they cant find any issues as they have checked everything, and all is fine and cannot seem to advise why the pv generation is so low. Settings are all correct etc. I have searched high and low on Facebook groups, forums etc. to try and check if anyone else experienced the same issue but to no avail. I have even had another installer come and also have a look. He monitored the solar generation over two days and said that these panels are producing nowhere near its required range. He suggested that i replace the panels however not sure if this will guarantee solving the issue and also taking out the additional cost of installing new solar panels.

Has anyone experienced this issue and could possibly advise what could be the cause here?

 

Please confirm the exact make & model of your Trina solar panel, or take a pic of the back data label on your panel.

Just a quick Google Search, and I found this Trina Solar 545W panel:

This panel is not suitable on your 5kW Sunsynk inverter. Even if you put on more panels to increase the Voltage and get it to start up, the problem is that the current rating (Imp and Isc) of that panel is too high. On the assumption/risk that you could have this panel - again, you should please check and confirm, and if it's indeed the same, then get an entirely new set of suitable panels. It's not about the brand or the Wattage, in this case it would be about the current.

Maximum rated power

545W

Voc

37.7V

Vmp

31.4V

Isc

18.52A

Imp

17.37A

Efficiency

20.90%

Mechanical warranty

12 years

Linear output warranty

25 years

Supplier SKU

TSM-DE19-545

Edited November 20, 20241 yr by GreenFields

15 minutes ago, GreenFields said:

Please confirm the exact make & model of your Trina solar panel, or take a pic of the back data label on your panel.

Just a quick Google Search, and I found this Trina Solar 545W panel:

This panel is not suitable on your 5kW Sunsynk inverter. Even if you put on more panels to increase the Voltage and get it to start up, the problem is that the current rating (Imp and Isc) of that panel is too high. On the assumption/risk that you could have this panel - again, you should please check and confirm, and if it's indeed the same, then get an entirely new set of suitable panels. It's not about the brand or the Wattage, in this case it would be about the current.

Maximum rated power

545W

Voc

37.7V

Vmp

31.4V

Isc

18.52A

Imp

17.37A

Efficiency

20.90%

Mechanical warranty

12 years

Linear output warranty

25 years

Supplier SKU

TSM-DE19-545

Unfortunately, i don't have this information and wouldn't even risk climbing onto the roof to have a look. i would need to get someone to assist me with this.

what would be the most suitable panels for this inverter in terms of suitable current?

Edited November 20, 20241 yr by Jade4

20 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

Would the exact same solar panel( i.e brand and wattage) need to be installed or can i use another brand with the same wattage?

If @GreenFields is correct about your panels you may likely need 550W canadian solar or ja solar as alternative, they have a higher VOC rating and lower short circuit current rating AFAIK. You need to get the exact panel information from your installer so we can advise you properly.

5 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

Unfortunately, i don't have this information and wouldn't even risk climbing onto the roof to have a look. i would need to get someone to assist me with this.

what would be the most suitable panels for this inverter in terms of suitable current?

Try this: On the inverter's screen, find the Status Page, and then give the values for Volts in the blocks for Solar Power 1 & 2.

My guess is it's around 125Volts, give or take a bit, when the sun is shining.

5 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

what would be the most suitable panels for this inverter in terms of suitable current?

The MPPTs on the 5kW Sunsynk can handle max 13A. Anything above that gets clipped. Based on your panels VMP, you will max produce 408W per panel (31.4V x 13A).

So any panel with an IMP around 13A will do.

26 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

Would the exact same solar panel( i.e brand and wattage) need to be installed or can i use another brand with the same wattage?

In theory you can mix panels, but it is a whole mess. I would advise against it.

17 minutes ago, Nexuss said:

If @GreenFields is correct about your panels you may likely need 550W canadian solar or ja solar as alternative, they have a higher VOC rating and lower short circuit current rating AFAIK. You need to get the exact panel information from your installer so we can advise you properly.

i would need to get in contact with them however i am certain they will advise that they don't have this information( i.e not willing to assist or wont assist at all)

are there any reputable solar installers(in the Gauteng area) on this forum that i can get in touch with to assist with this? i.e. remove the solar panel and have a look at the solar panel data label to determine if what @GreenFields stated is the issue.

Edited November 20, 20241 yr by Jade4

4 minutes ago, GreenFields said:

Try this: On the inverter's screen, find the Status Page, and then give the values for Volts in the blocks for Solar Power 1 & 2.

My guess is it's around 125Volts, give or take a bit, when the sun is shining.

Thank you. i will have a look at this tomorrow and advise.

1 hour ago, Jade4 said:

are there any reputable solar installers(in the Gauteng area) on this forum that i can get in touch with to assist with this?

I can highly recommend @Leshen 

16 hours ago, GreenFields said:

Try this: On the inverter's screen, find the Status Page, and then give the values for Volts in the blocks for Solar Power 1 & 2.

My guess is it's around 125Volts, give or take a bit, when the sun is shining.

Taken at about 7:30 this morning. Will take another one around midday.

20241121_073109.heic

1 hour ago, Jade4 said:

Taken at about 7:30 this morning. Will take another one around midday.

20241121_073109.heic 2.66 MB · 5 downloads

Where are you situated(province). Is your solar panels partially shaded? Even at 07h30 you have very little current flowing. Your voltage is between Voc and Vmp due to almost no current flowing. Below an example on SA from one of my clients in Gauteng this morning that consists of a 3kw Growatt inverter with 2 x 460w panels in series. If the panels are not shaded you have a problem with the solar string connection. The Trina Verso panels are not suitable for the Sunsynk 5kw inverter due to the ISC of these panels as previously mentioned by @GreenFields,but that should not affect the performance though, the Sunsynk will clip the current and only use what is safe for the inverter. The ISC for the Sunsynk is 17A and could affect the warranty as this is a hard limit specified by the oem. 

19 minutes ago, TaliaB said:

Where are you situated(province). Is your solar panels partially shaded? Even at 07h30 you have very little current flowing. Your voltage is between Voc and Vmp due to almost no current flowing. Below an example on SA from one of my clients in Gauteng this morning that consists of a 3kw Growatt inverter with 2 x 460w panels in series. If the panels are not shaded you have a problem with the solar string connection. The Trina Verso panels are not suitable for the Sunsynk 5kw inverter due to the ISC of these panels as previously mentioned by @GreenFields,but that should not affect the performance though, the Sunsynk will clip the current and only use what is safe for the inverter. The ISC for the Sunsynk is 17A and could affect the warranty as this is a hard limit specified by the oem. 

I am based in Gauteng (midrand). There is no shading. Would the panels definitely need to be changed to more sutiable ones for the 5kw sunsynk inverter?

Edited November 21, 20241 yr by Jade4

The MPPT voltage range for the Sunsynk 5kW inverter is 125–425V:

    MPPT voltage range: The MPPT voltage range for the Sunsynk 5kW inverter is 125–425V.
    Start-up voltage: The start-up voltage for the Sunsynk 5kW inverter is 150V.

Thus at 132V or so, its probably a little bitty low, I'd suggest @Jade4 should at least sit with one more panel added to the existing 4, I was thinking 32V X 4 = 128V, its slightly more, but with one more panel it would sit at 160V, which is at least above the MPPT start-up voltage for the inverter.... if it is possible to squeeze in one more panel, that should make a huge difference, I'd imagine...

Edited November 21, 20241 yr by Kalahari Meerkat

6 minutes ago, mehwish said:

your panels are underperforming, particularly during hot days when one would expect higher output

Panel performance derates as the panel temperature increases. So on cold sunny days you will get higher performance than on hot summer days

6 hours ago, Jade4 said:

Taken at about 7:30 this morning. Will take another one around midday.

20241121_073109.heic 2.66 MB · 10 downloads

Still awaiting the afternoon pic to be more sure. But from what's seen here, it's very likely with 135V, that you've got the wrong type of panel installed. Vmp on the typical Canadian Solar or JA Solar or Jinko panels of that size is around 42V, so 42x4 would give you around 165V. If your panels heat up, or as the MPPT shifts closer to Vmp of 31.4 per panel, you're likely to be bordering on the inverter's shut-down Voltage of 125V. If you install just one panel more that should dramatically improve the reliability of power generation throughout the day to around 10-12kWh, but you'd still be faced with the issues of being over the inverter manufacturer's short-circuit current protection specs, and that your peak generation will be limited by the 13A limit of the inverter. That's your cheapest option, but I'd still suggest to start over with 4 new panels. Except if your afternoon pic shows something entirely different.

Edited November 21, 20241 yr by GreenFields

1 hour ago, GreenFields said:

Still awaiting the afternoon pic to be more sure. But from what's seen here, it's very likely with 135V, that you've got the wrong type of panel installed. Voc on the typical Canadian Solar or JA Solar or Jinko panels of that size is around 42V, so 42x4 would give you around 165V. If your panels heat up, or as the MPPT shifts closer to Vmp of 31.4 per panel, you're likely to be bordering on the inverter's shut-down Voltage of 125V. If you install just one panel more that should dramatically improve the reliability of power generation throughout the day to around 10-12kWh, but you'd still be faced with the issues of being over the inverter manufacturer's short-circuit current protection specs, and that your peak generation will be limited by the 13A limit of the inverter. That's your cheapest option, but I'd still suggest to start over with 4 new panels. Except if your afternoon pic shows something entirely different.

taken at 13:10 today.

Just now, Jade4 said:

taken at 13:10 today.

 

1 hour ago, GreenFields said:

Still awaiting the afternoon pic to be more sure. But from what's seen here, it's very likely with 135V, that you've got the wrong type of panel installed. Voc on the typical Canadian Solar or JA Solar or Jinko panels of that size is around 42V, so 42x4 would give you around 165V. If your panels heat up, or as the MPPT shifts closer to Vmp of 31.4 per panel, you're likely to be bordering on the inverter's shut-down Voltage of 125V. If you install just one panel more that should dramatically improve the reliability of power generation throughout the day to around 10-12kWh, but you'd still be faced with the issues of being over the inverter manufacturer's short-circuit current protection specs, and that your peak generation will be limited by the 13A limit of the inverter. That's your cheapest option, but I'd still suggest to start over with 4 new panels. Except if your afternoon pic shows something entirely different.

are changing over panels just a matter of removing the current ones and replacing or is there more to it?

4 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

Your panel voltage is too low to keep the MPPT consistently running. 

If you can't add more panels, then swapping the panels is your only option..

6 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

are changing over panels just a matter of removing the current ones and replacing or is there more to it?

No, there should not be anything else required other than a straight swap of the panels on the roof. Just double check that your breakers and protection are able to handle the specs of your new panels, but unless your original installed used something very odd I would expect you to be ok.

If you want, post the specs of the new panels you are considering here - and we can take a look.

34 minutes ago, Jade4 said:

are changing over panels just a matter of removing the current ones and replacing or is there more to it?

You would have to look for panels that fit the situation, as in panels that would be *more* than 40V Vmp each and not exceed, ideally 13A Imp, if you want to fit 4 new panels, replacing the existing 4, but also size wise, as in dimensions, you'd have to try and find something that works for your installation... otherwise, yes, series up the 4 new panels and connect them in place of the existing ones...

Edited November 21, 20241 yr by Kalahari Meerkat

2 hours ago, wolfandy said:

Your panel voltage is too low to keep the MPPT consistently running. 

If you can't add more panels, then swapping the panels is your only option..

No, there should not be anything else required other than a straight swap of the panels on the roof. Just double check that your breakers and protection are able to handle the specs of your new panels, but unless your original installed used something very odd I would expect you to be ok.

If you want, post the specs of the new panels you are considering here - and we can take a look.

Thanks. Not sure how an accredited "master installer of sunsynk" messed this up. I would need to find another more knowledgeable solar installer to assist with this.

Will definitely post up what panels i intend to use before i go ahead.

Can you recommend any reputable solar installers in the Gauteng area that can assist with my issue?

Sorry to say that master Sunsynk doesn't really hold much weight these days. But I would first try him again and explain, since you paid him already and he should sort it out. 

If after that you don't come right, try @Leshen or Steve87

Edited November 22, 20241 yr by abd7

14 hours ago, Jade4 said:

Will definitely post up what panels i intend to use before i go ahead.

My suggestion on solar panel replacement would be 4 x Ja 550w or if you have space 5 x JA 550w 5S1P the latter will work great providing ~210v Vmp @ 13A. Below data sheet of the JA panel range you can consider. I have use these panels in my installations and they work great with the 5kw Sunsynk.

JA-Solar-525W-550W.pdf

@Jade4

Give me the heads up when you are ready to sell the 4 x Trina panels i will use them with the Victron Blue Smart 100/50 mppt in 2S2P configuration.

Edited November 22, 20241 yr by TaliaB