Solar Power World
By Kelsey Misbrener | January 6, 2026
Solar panels may work for decades, but the more sensitive electronics required to process the power are more likely to fail after a shorter time. Inverter manufacturers are adding new hardware and software features to address the once-onerous repowering process and swiftly bring projects back to production.
Tigo inverter commissioning.
For residential inverter replacements, an installer or service tech must diagnose the problem, map out the wiring layout and assess a new inverter’s compatibility with the older system. Even when the system is well-documented, dealing with different inverter footprints can create extra work for installers, said JD Dillon, chief marketing and customer experience officer at Tigo Energy.
Voltage differences between older and modern solar systems often force installers to restring arrays, adding time and cost to repowering projects. In the past, installers had to keep many different inverter models in stock to match repowering voltage needs.
Tigo has improved upon this tedious and expensive process with its new Inverter Power Output Control (IPOC) feature. With this software, installers can set an inverter’s maximum AC nameplate rating directly in the Tigo EI app, eliminating the need to warehouse multiple inverter models.
“Combining the modular, open-platform ecosystem with advanced commissioning software, installers can save up to an hour per project, reduce post-installation service calls and maintain long-term performance across both new and repowered systems,” Dillon said.
To finish the process, the IPOC is fully documented for AHJ compliance through the product data sheet, label and installer letter.
“The result is a simpler, faster and more predictable commissioning process that helps installers complete more jobs in less time,” Dillon said.
Tigo
SolarEdge’s single-SKU Home Hub inverter is another product built for easy residential system repowering. The inverter, which won Best in Show in Solar Power World’s 2025 Top Products competition, can be configured to any required size (from 3.8 to 11.4 kW and legacy sizes 3, 5 and 6 kW) while maintaining 12.5 kW of continuous power output across all configurations. The inverter’s nameplate capacity is permanently locked during commissioning through simultaneous scanning of two QR codes on the outside of the inverter, which prevents errors and helps with verification and traceability. Choosing this inverter means homeowners can expand their systems later on thanks to its power class flexibility.
For the large-scale solar market, SMA recently released a configurable-nameplate inverter to meet repowering needs. The SMA Sunny Highpower PEAK3-FLEX-US-21 is delivered with a blank UL label, enabling customers to set the AC voltage to match the settings of the older inverter being replaced. Older C&I solar systems were typically built at standard grid voltages of 385 V_AC, while modern inverters are built at 480 V_AC or 600 V_AC. The PEAK3 can bridge that gap.
“The adjustability of the PEAK3-FLEX enables asset managers to repower their aging fleets with an inverter solution that can help to leave as much of the AC and even DC BOS in place as possible,” said Tyson Schoelzel, strategic market sales manager at SMA.
In situations where utilities and AHJs require power curtailment to avoid overloading the grid, the PEAK3-FLEX allows developers to match the exact power output settings needed, maximizing the project’s power and kilowatt-hour yields.
SMA is working to streamline repowering in the utility-scale space through its soon-to-be-released product made in partnership with Create Energy. The new skidded PEAK3 solution can replace central inverters that are no longer offered by the original manufacturers.
“A multi-megawatt power block of pre-mounted PEAK3 inverters with integrated AC and DC BOS will be an incredibly convenient solution to drop in place of the failing central inverters, especially as the PEAK3-FLEX can be adjusted to match the outgoing inverter,” Schoelzel said.
As solar systems of all sizes age, simplifying the inverter repowering process can ensure projects are producing as much power as possible for many years to come.
Kelsey Misbrener was a long-time editor of Solar Power World and is still involved in the solar industry. Contact her on LinkedIn.

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