Solar Inverter Replacement and Repair

The inverter is the part of a solar system most likely to fail first. Here is how to tell whether yours needs repair or replacement, and what the options are.

Solar Review · Updated October 2026

Warning signs

• An error code or red or flashing light on the inverter.
• The inverter display is blank, or it clicks on and off.
• Your monitoring shows zero or very low output on a sunny day.
• Production that falls sharply when it gets hot.
• The unit is more than ten years old and your bill has crept up.

Repair or replace?

Not every fault means a new inverter. A tripped breaker, a loose connector, a communications fault or a single failed microinverter can often be fixed on its own. A replacement makes sense when the unit has failed, repeated faults point to a failing board, or the part is no longer supported. Under warranty, the manufacturer often supplies the replacement unit even if the installer is gone.

Typical warranty periods

String inverters commonly carry a warranty of around ten to twelve years, and some brands offer an extension. Microinverters are often warrantied much longer, and panels longer still. Terms differ by model and year, so we check your serial numbers rather than assume.

A Powerwall can replace your old inverter

The Tesla Powerwall 3 has a built-in solar inverter. On many systems, existing panel strings can connect straight to the Powerwall 3, so you may not need to buy a separate inverter at all and you gain backup power in the same project. Whether that fits depends on your panels, string layout and rate plan, and we confirm it after we look at your system.

Brands we work on

SolarEdge, Enphase, SMA, SunPower, Fronius and others. See our guides on SolarEdge error codes and Enphase troubleshooting.

Common questions

String inverters often last roughly ten to fifteen years, with heat shortening that. Microinverters usually last longer.

Often yes. We handle the paperwork and the utility steps with the work.

Usually yes. The panels often keep working for decades. We check that the new inverter matches your panel setup.