What are the Costs of Replacing a Solar Inverter?
Are you here because your inverter isn't working? The first thing you’re going to want to know is, is it fixable and how much is it going to cost. Let’s have a look at what your options are.
If you’re looking for a quick answer, the cost to get an inverter replaced is going to be around $3000, but there are a number of factors to consider, which we will explore now.
Key Takeaways:
Inverter Replacement Costs: Replacing an old inverter typically costs around $3,000, including installation. This price is generally the same whether you are replacing a smaller system (e.g., 2kW to 3kW) or a larger one (5kW), as the smallest inverters available from top manufacturers like SMA in Australia are usually 3kW.
Upgrading vs. Replacing: Instead of simply replacing an old inverter, it might make more sense to replace the entire system. This is especially true if your current system is small or outdated, as you can take advantage of newer, more efficient technology and potentially achieve higher energy output with modern 400W+ panels.
Federal Government Incentives: If you decide to replace the inverter and upgrade the entire solar system, you may qualify for Federal Government incentives (STCs), which can reduce the overall cost of the new system, making it a more cost-effective option than merely servicing an old one.
Long-Term Benefits of Upgrading: Upgrading to a new system gives you access to the latest technology, such as smarter and safer solar solutions like Enphase microinverters, which offer better performance and longevity. This can provide more reliable energy generation and savings over time, aligned with future energy needs.
Replacement Under Warranty
If the inverter fails and it is still under warranty, it’s best to go back to your original installer. They will be able to help you with your warranty claim.
If you are one of our customers, please contact our team so that we can help you get your system fixed as soon as possible. 1KOMMA5° services full replacement warranties so that you are not out of pocket in the event of a claim.
Things don’t always go that smoothly though…
It is estimated that around 1 in 3 solar systems are orphans, in that either the installer or the manufacturer is no longer around to service the warranty. In this case, unfortunately, your warranty is worthless, which is why it’s so important to choose the right system and the right installer when going solar.
We get a lot of calls from people unable to contact their original installer. If you are in this boat, unfortunately, you may not be able to replace your inverter under warranty.
Solar Inverter Replacement
For most inverter replacements, the system is at least a few years old. Typically, this means the system is probably no more than 5kW or so. Many are much smaller than that, say around 2kW or 3kW systems.
With most of the better inverter manufacturers such as SMA, the smallest inverter they currently supply in Australia is a 3kW inverter. A 3kW or 5kW inverter are relatively similar in price, so we normally say budget around $3000 for a replacement inverter including installation.
But here’s where things get interesting.
If you are going to pay $3000 to fix an old inverter, why not rip the whole system off and start again? Especially if it’s a small system sitting on the roof.
A new solar system will also qualify for the Federal Government Incentive (STCs), as long as we replace the inverter, and so instead of servicing the old system, perhaps you’d rather put that money towards installing a new one. That way you are able to get more output from the new 400W+ solar panels, plus you can get the latest technology from Enphase that’s much smarter, and safer.
Of course, it depends on how much you want to pay and your plans for the future, and it’s something we’d be happy to help you with. You can call the 1KOMMA5° Sydney and Mebourne on 1800 640 919 for more information and personalised advice.
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