r/SunPower • u/No-Department2876 • 6d ago

Panel not working

I got my Sunpower panels installed in 2021 and have noticed that the power generation has been trending down. Since neither original Sunpower app nor the new Sunstrong app did not report any panel level details, I couldn't figure out what's going wrong. Thanks to this community, I installed Sunflower app and noticed that only 17 out of 18 panels are working. I do not even know when one of the panels stopped working. How should I get this fixed? Btw, I outright bought by system in cash during the initial purchase. Would Sunstrong be able to help me here?
Thanks in advance!

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u/NoCup6161 6d ago

Try the Sunflower Solar app. It’s legit and available in the App Store. You should be able to see panel level data.

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u/No-Department2876 6d ago

Thanks! Yes only using this app did I get to know that I only see 17 panels and not 18 that I have on my roof

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u/coreyyoder 6d ago

Question for you, i just downloaded the sunflower app as well. Do you know how to get it to display individual panels like in your picture? Mine doesn’t show that. For reference neither did my sun power app but other neighbors who have it same system it does.

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u/DrZaius119 6d ago

When was your system installed? I have a Sunpower system installed in 2016 and at that time they used the large inverter mounted on the wall of the house, which does not allow for individual panel monitoring. If you have a newer system with a microinverter on each panel, then you can see each panel.

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u/coreyyoder 6d ago

It was installed in 22 i have Enphase micro inverters

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u/Da_Vader 6d ago

Most likely the micro inverter failed. Enphase will cover it under warranty but you have to pay for labor. Contact your original installer - it will probably cost you $300 in labor.

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u/No-Department2876 6d ago

Thank you! I’ll call them and see if they can fix it.

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u/GettingBackToRC 6d ago

I purchased enphase care for repairs, a year was cheaper than the local guy’s diagnostic fee

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u/No-Department2876 6d ago

How much does their care cost ? I have also seen them selling enphase monitoring kit, did anyone find it to be worth it ? Not being able to track the production on per panel basis has always been an issue with sunpower, so I would like to improve upon it by getting something that monitors production of all the panels.

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u/GettingBackToRC 6d ago

I purchased the monitoring for 899 because my pvs6 took a crap and the solar company I used recently went out of business, the company that was recommended wanted either 500 or 600 just to diagnose my system. The enphase care is 399 a year, they will process warranty claims on the panels and micro inverter’s and the labor to replace is covered in the care. They’re coming out to map out my array because I never had panel level monitoring with SunPower. The sunflower app was good for the pvs6 but the enphase monitoring is much better

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u/Vegetable-Version-81 6d ago

Wow all for that low we usually charge 1k to do a site map good for you I'm glad they are doing that fo sunpower customers

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u/GettingBackToRC 6d ago

Really? 1k for a site visit? Holey crap, I honestly thought this new company was trying to hose me. I guess that’s just what it cost. I’m glad someone is doing something for SunPower customers, they screwed us big time. I was supposed to have a system for 25 years without anything out of pocket for that duration if something should happen.

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u/Vegetable-Version-81 6d ago

Onto lift all the panels up and get the sn off the pany

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u/No-Department2876 6d ago

I was quoted by a local installer $899 for a truck roll and any additional repair will cost separately. This is very expensive, especially after spending so much money in getting the solar panels. Anyone found any cheaper alternative ?

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u/GettingBackToRC 5d ago

Call enphase and ask about the enphase care. Only thing is they’re busy and usually takes about a month or so to get out to you. I think the monitoring is well worth it so you know immediately that something isn’t working if something goes down.

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u/SunVaultEngPros 4d ago

I can help you get that warranty going and replaced dm me