Solar system presumably struck by lightning

spit

spit

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2016
Messages
279
Reaction score
200
Location
Garden Route
I'm writing this with a heavy heart.

My system is a 124 days old and we had a severe lightning storm and rain during the night and my property/solar panels were presumably struck by lightning because at that moment everything just died.

All the indicator lights on the 5kW Sunsynk hybrid inverter went off but the screen stayed on for a minute or two and also went off. No alarm of fault code was displayed if I remember correctly. None of the PV surge protector was blown. The only breaker switch that tripped was one plug on the main DB and the breaker switch on my BSL Batt and keeps tripping when I switch it back on.
I've switched the power from the inverter to Eskom and the power came back on. As far as I can see none of the appliance were damaged.

Could it have been lightning or what could be at fault and has this happened to anyone?
I don't know where to start, do I call the installer or insurance?
 
spit said:
I'm writing this with a heavy heart.

My system is a 124 days old and we had a severe lightning storm and rain during the night and my property/solar panels were presumably struck by lightning because at that moment everything just died.

All the indicator lights on the 5kW Sunsynk hybrid inverter went off but the screen stayed on for a minute or two and also went off. No alarm of fault code was displayed if I remember correctly. None of the PV surge protector was blown. The only breaker switch that tripped was one plug on the main DB and the breaker switch on my BSL Batt and keeps tripping when I switch it back on.
I've switched the power from the inverter to Eskom and the power came back on. As far as I can see none of the appliance were damaged.

Could it have been lightning or what could be at fault and has this happened to anyone?
I don't know where to start, do I call the installer or insurance?
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear. I would get the installer out to have a look and assess, maybe it's something he can fix. If he can't help you he will probably tell you that the hardware needs to go to the repair agents for assessment and repairs. In the meantime, I would contact the insurance and let them know what happened. Maybe they have an SOP for situations like this.

Can you at least flip a switch to run on the grid in the meantime?

Good luck!!!
 
Hi there your best bet is to call your installer as they installed the system and they will know the layout. And if it is lightening they would have to make out a quote for the insurance but it could be as simple as a fuse somewhere that has blown and the whole system has shutdown to protect its self. If it is lightening then possibly the installer did not install the surge protection properly as well.
 
Sorry to hear. Hope its not too major. Perhaps the inverter has a fuse that popped and can be replaced.

We got a huge surge last night that reset my Goodwe inverter and burned out my one Fridge's power board by the smell of things. Repair guy coming this morning.
 
Ask the installer to come out and give you a damage report in writing and then log a claim and forward that damage report to your insurer.

Are you insured?

Bad luck though as December is not a good month for speedy claims as most contractors/repairers/installers close shop until new year. Ask them about their availability too.
 
Get a damage report and if major claim from insurance.
Hopefully you advised them of the system and increased your building cover accordingly and you have a CoC
 
Thanks, everyone. I called the installer and he spoke about a fuse that could have popped so let's hope it's only that.
Rayne said:
Are you insured?
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm luckily.
Cius said:
my one Fridge's power board by the smell of things. Repair guy coming this morning.
Click to expand...
Good luck with that.

Hemi300c said:
Hopefully you advised them of the system and increased your building cover accordingly and you have a CoC
Click to expand...
Yes I did, thanks.

The neighbour's chimney was struck by lightning.
1670998177861.jpg
 
spit said:
The installer had just been here and tested everything and the inverter is dead. According to him, there was a spike on Eskom's side. I am now waiting for the damage report and will then hear what the insurance says.
Click to expand...
Was there no surge protection on the grid side? This is critical...
 
spit said:
Apparently not. The installer mentioned this morning that he started installing them about two weeks ago.
Click to expand...
Ask him to fit Type 1 and Type 2. Hager makes an all in one.
 
spit said:
Thanks, everyone. I called the installer and he spoke about a fuse that could have popped so let's hope it's only that.

Yes, I'm luckily.

Good luck with that.


Yes I did, thanks.

The neighbour's chimney was struck by lightning.
View attachment 1441229
Click to expand...
Unlikely, if you've ever seen a house struck by lightning, you'll know. It causes catastrophic damage.
Maybe some strong gusts during the storm ripped off the cowl?
 
spit said:
The installer had just been here and tested everything and the inverter is dead. According to him, there was a spike on Eskom's side. I am now waiting for the damage report and will then hear what the insurance says.
Click to expand...
I hope you have enough Powersurge cover on your building to allow for the repairs to be covered by your insurer.
 
spit said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Do you perhaps know where I can get one as the whole of Kimberley does not have any AC Surge Protectors?

Don't know what to do about the liability...
Click to expand...
phone surgetek .insurance company approved products
 
spit said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Do you perhaps know where I can get one as the whole of Kimberley does not have any AC Surge Protectors?
Click to expand...
Are you looking for the AC side only, or your AC and DC (PV)?
Your electrician should be able to supply it, but you might want to contact Heroldts in Bloemfontein (they are big in the FS). Otherwise online on Livecopper.co.za (they do do Hager). That said, Hager is very expensive, so ONESTO, TOMZN, Citec will also do.

spit said:
Don't know what to do about the liability...
Click to expand...
@soulie might be able to give you better advice, but here is mine:
Did he give you a CoC? I would lodge an insurance claim, they may send an assessor out who would pick up that there was no SPD on the AC side, they will either repudiate the claim with reasons (get it in writing), or they will pay (and you pay excess). Present the excess bill / repudiated claim to your electrician. If he does not want to pay, tell him that you will lodge a complaint with the dept of labour and pull his registration number. Or if he is a ECASA member then you can report him there.
 
if the installer is a registered electrical contractor and the coc was done through a registered IE or MIE there should be no issues .the solar system should fall under homeowners and insurance will inspect it .if panels were struck as long as the earthing of the panels is correct i dont see a reason for it not to be approved .speak to your broker .once a system has had a major surge ie lightning the internal damage will be visible on the inverter and on the panels .it may have also just been a heavy static discharge .nothing can stop that .only your broker can advise and decide further .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X