Solar Inverter Fault Finding & Replacements
Diagnosing red fault lights, error codes, grid-sync failures, or silent inverter shutoffs. We replace faulty string or micro-inverters with modern, high-efficiency replacement units.
Google★★★★★5/5 from Google Reviews
Solar PV Maintenance & Inverter Repairs in Brechin & Angus
Brechin Sparks provides solar PV system health checks, inverter replacements, and electrical fault finding for domestic rooftop arrays, commercial solar setups, and farm systems across Brechin and Angus. Speak directly with James Leslie to restore your solar generation efficiency.
- Brechin based, 40-mile radiusServing domestic, commercial and agricultural solar owners across Angus
- Inverter fault lights and error codes diagnosedRed fault lights, error codes, grid-sync failures and silent shutoffs traced to the failed component
- Rooftop DC isolators and cabling repairedDamaged isolators, corroded connector plugs and damaged solar cabling replaced
- Costs agreed before work beginsClear diagnosis and repair quotes agreed before work begins
Free quote
Tell James about your system
Describe error codes, inverter brand, and age of system. A photo of the inverter display helps.
Replies within an hour, 8am–6pm
Local to Brechin, Angus, Scotland
Solar PV Repairs Across Brechin, Angus
Brechin Sparks is James Leslie, working from a base in Brechin and covering the DD9 postcode area, Montrose, Forfar, Arbroath, Edzell and Dundee within an approximate 40-mile radius.
If your solar has stopped generating, James is one point of contact for the diagnostic, the repair and the written results. Where the fault turns out to be on the AC side of the installation rather than in the solar equipment, it is dealt with as Electrical Repairs & Fault Finding. Whether an older inverter can work with Home Battery Storage is checked after assessing the existing array, equipment, supply and proposed battery, and James can advise on Surge Protection for the inverter and connected equipment at the same visit.
Google★★★★★5/5 from Google ReviewsReview summaries from the Google profile.
“James was very polite and sent over the quote immediately after the call and came out the same day in the early evening.”
“He couldn't of been more helpful and still only took what he quoted for, even though it was a bigger job than expected. Definitely recommend.”
“Arrived within an hour of my call, as he said he would. Fixed the problem same afternoon, and rate was extremely reasonable!”
“They also give decent price for the job and the work done will be using James again, he is also very polite and very helpful too me.”
“Fast response during a weekend, put in a temporary fix so we got power back. Excellent service.”
“Very professional and courteous. Highly recommend him.”
Why Choose Brechin Sparks for Your Solar PV Repairs?
Brechin Sparks maintains solar PV systems across Brechin, Angus
Solar PV system health checks, inverter replacements, and electrical fault finding for domestic rooftop arrays, commercial solar setups, and farm systems, from a base in Brechin covering an approximate 40-mile radius.
Work is carried out to BS 7671 by an 18th Edition qualified electrician
Solar panels can produce dangerous DC voltages whenever exposed to light, even if the AC supply is switched off. String voltages, AC output levels, generation meters, and earthing continuity are tested to investigate system performance.
You deal directly with James Leslie, not a call centre
40 years of electrical engineering experience across military, municipal and private sectors. James served as an RAF electrical engineer and as a retained firefighter at Brechin Fire Station.
Brechin Sparks is fully insured and locally based
Public liability cover across domestic, commercial and agricultural properties, with clear diagnosis and repair quotes agreed before work begins.
Read more about James Leslie and how Brechin Sparks approaches electrical work, from the first enquiry to explaining the completed job.
18th Edition qualified
BS 7671 wiring regulations
City & Guilds 2382-22
Level 3 Award · BS 7671 wiring regulations
Fully insured
Cover for electrical work
Based in Brechin
Local service across a 40-mile radius
RAF electrical engineer
Engineering experience behind the advice
Angus retained firefighter
A background in serving the community
When to call
Why Has My Solar Inverter Stopped Generating?
Common causes include grid voltage fluctuations, internal capacitor failure, faulty DC isolators, or blown internal fuses. An electrical diagnostic pinpoints the exact component failure. Inverter degradation, connection faults, or damaged meters can reduce generation or stop the system operating.
A red fault light, error code or silent shutoff
Red fault lights, error codes, grid-sync failures, or silent inverter shutoffs are diagnosed first. Faulty string or micro-inverters are replaced with modern, high-efficiency replacement units.
A damaged DC isolator, corroded connector or damaged cabling
Damaged DC isolator switches, corroded connector plugs, and damaged solar cabling are replaced to prevent dangerous DC arcing and fire hazards.
Generation lower than you expect
String voltages, AC output levels, generation meters, and earthing continuity are tested to investigate system performance. Output depends on sunlight, shading, equipment condition and the system design.
No electrical health check in the last 3 to 5 years
A technical electrical health check is recommended every 3 to 5 years to verify string insulation, isolator integrity, and electrical safety.
Not sure what the error code means? Send James a photo of the inverter display.
Get a quote
Signs Your Solar PV Needs Attention
A solar fault does not always announce itself. These are the signs owners usually describe when they call, and what each one can point to:
Your generation figure has dropped or reads zero
A generation meter or monitoring app showing nothing on a bright day, or a figure well below what the system produced in earlier years, can point to an inverter, isolator or connection fault. Output depends on sunlight, shading, equipment condition and the system design, so a diagnostic establishes which it is rather than guessing.
An inverter fault light or error code
A red light, a blank display or an error code on the inverter can indicate a grid-sync failure, an internal fault or a problem on the DC side. Note the code and, if you can safely reach the display, take a photo of it before calling.
Tripping when the sun comes out
If a breaker or RCD trips in daylight and holds overnight, the fault may lie in the solar circuit rather than elsewhere in the installation. Leave the circuit off and arrange a diagnostic rather than resetting it repeatedly.
A damaged isolator or cabling on the roof
Weathered DC isolators, cracked connector plugs or cabling that has come loose from its clips can lead to dangerous DC arcing. Solar panels can produce dangerous DC voltages whenever exposed to light, even if the AC supply is switched off, so do not open or handle roof equipment yourself.
Call 01356 235858
Describe what the inverter is showing and James will advise on the next step.
Essential Solar PV System Diagnostics & Servicing
Solar PV systems contain DC wiring, inverters, and AC isolators. Solar panels can produce dangerous DC voltages whenever exposed to light, even if the AC supply is switched off. Inverter degradation, connection faults, or damaged meters can reduce generation or stop the system operating.
Rooftop DC Isolator & Wiring Repairs
Replacing damaged DC isolator switches, corroded connector plugs, and damaged solar cabling to prevent dangerous DC arcing and fire hazards.
System Performance Health Checks & Generation Verification
Testing string voltages, AC output levels, generation meters, and earthing continuity to investigate system performance. Output depends on sunlight, shading, equipment condition and the system design.
Guide prices
How Much Does Solar PV Maintenance Cost?
A solar PV system health check and diagnostic is £80 – £250+, a string inverter replacement £600 – £1,500+, and a DC isolator and cable replacement £120 – £350+. Prices depend on inverter access, roof layout, the inverter kW rating and the DC cabling run length. All costs are agreed before work begins.
£80 – £250+Diagnostic visit
Solar PV System Health Check & Diagnostic
Access to inverter, roof layout, string testing required. Describe error codes, inverter brand, and age of system.
£600 – £1,500+Replacement hardware and testing
String Inverter Replacement
Inverter kW rating, single/three-phase, AC/DC isolator replacement. Quoted for replacement hardware and installation testing.
£120 – £350+After diagnostic assessment
DC Isolator & Cable Replacement
Roof access, isolator type, DC cabling run length. Quoted following diagnostic assessment of damaged isolators.
Indicative guide prices. The final scope and cost are agreed before work begins.
See the full guide to electrical work prices for other jobs.
What Does a Solar PV Fault Diagnostic Involve?
Whether the system has stopped altogether or is generating less than it should, the visit follows the same order: find the fault first, then agree the repair.
The history and any generation records
James takes the history from you: when the system stopped or dropped off, what the inverter is showing, and any generation figures, monitoring app data or previous reports you have. Describe error codes, inverter brand, and age of system.
Visual inspection of the inverter, isolators and accessible cabling
The inverter, the AC and DC isolators and the cabling that can be reached safely are inspected for damage, corrosion, overheating and loose connections. Solar panels can produce dangerous DC voltages whenever exposed to light, even if the AC supply is switched off, so the DC side is treated as live throughout.
Electrical tests of the AC and DC sides
As appropriate to the fault, string voltages, AC output levels, generation meters, and earthing continuity are tested to investigate system performance. The aim is to identify the failed component before anything is condemned or replaced.
Repair or replacement of the faulty component, where agreed
Faulty string or micro-inverters are replaced with modern, high-efficiency replacement units, and damaged DC isolator switches, corroded connector plugs, and damaged solar cabling are replaced to prevent dangerous DC arcing and fire hazards. The repair is quoted following the diagnostic assessment and agreed before it goes ahead.
Recommissioning and confirmation of generation
Once the repair is complete the system is switched back on in the correct sequence, the inverter is checked for a normal grid connection and generation is confirmed with you at the display or meter, so far as the daylight on the day allows. The readings are recorded on the written report.
On completion
What you are left with
A solar fault visit should leave you knowing what was found, what was tested and what was replaced. After the work James provides:
Written health-check report
A written record of what was inspected and tested, with the test readings and photographs of the inverter, isolators and any damaged equipment found, so you can see why a repair was recommended.
Certificate for the replacement work
A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for a like-for-like replacement on the existing circuit, or an Electrical Installation Certificate where the work involves a new circuit, with the test results recorded.
Manufacturer paperwork for a new inverter
The manufacturer’s instructions and the paperwork supplied with a replacement inverter, kept with your report for future servicing or a later battery storage assessment.
Solar PV Repairs Across Brechin, Angus
Based in Brechin, Angus, Scotland, covering the DD9 postcode area and the wider Angus towns within an approximate 40-mile radius. Roof-mounted arrays on farms and rural homes, and inverters tucked into lofts, garages and outbuildings, are all part of the area covered; give James your postcode to confirm availability.
Brechin and DD9
From the town centre to Trinity and Cookston. Our base, so usually the quickest to arrange.
Montrose and Forfar
Domestic rooftop arrays and commercial solar setups across the Angus towns.
Arbroath and Edzell
Inverter repairs and health checks, including farm systems on surrounding rural properties.
Dundee
Enquiries welcome for houses, flats and rented properties.
Elsewhere in Angus
Call with your postcode to check coverage within the approximate 40-mile service area.
Full list of towns on the areas covered page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Maintenance
Why has my solar inverter stopped generating?
Common causes include grid voltage fluctuations, internal capacitor failure, faulty DC isolators, or blown internal fuses. An electrical diagnostic pinpoints the exact component failure.
Why is my solar generating less than it used to?
It may be one of several things. Output depends on sunlight, shading, equipment condition and the system design, so a drop can be as simple as new shading from a tree or building, or it can be a fault: inverter degradation, connection faults, or damaged meters can reduce generation or stop the system operating. A health check tests string voltages, AC output levels, generation meters, and earthing continuity to investigate system performance, and James explains what is found before any repair is quoted.
Can you replace a solar inverter?
Yes. Faulty string or micro-inverters are replaced with modern, high-efficiency replacement units, quoted for replacement hardware and installation testing. What affects the price is the inverter kW rating, single/three-phase, AC/DC isolator replacement. If you are also thinking about battery storage, compatibility must be checked before equipment is selected, so mention it when you enquire.
Is it safe to switch off my solar system myself?
Only the AC side, and only at the isolator or breaker you know to be the solar circuit. Solar panels can produce dangerous DC voltages whenever exposed to light, even if the AC supply is switched off, so do not open the inverter, operate roof-mounted DC isolators or handle solar cabling yourself. If something is burning or arcing, keep clear and call James on 01356 235858; if there is a fire, call 999.
Can I upgrade my old solar inverter to work with battery storage?
It may be possible. A compatible hybrid inverter or a separate AC-coupled battery system can be considered after assessing the existing array, equipment, supply and proposed battery. Compatibility must be checked before equipment is selected.
How often should a solar PV system be serviced?
A technical electrical health check is recommended every 3 to 5 years to verify string insulation, isolator integrity, and electrical safety.
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Tell James the error code or fault light showing, the inverter brand and the age of the system. Clear diagnosis and repair quotes are agreed before work begins.
Call 01356 235858