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“I really don’t want to pay a company if I can just install it myself.”
Photo Credit: iStock
Even though the company that installed the system had shut down, one solar owner discovered the hardware warranty was still useful. SolarEdge agreed to replace a failed inverter at no charge.
But getting the new unit in hand did not mean the fix would be effortless. 
In a post on r/SolarDIY, the homeowner said SolarEdge diagnosed an internal inverter problem and shipped a free replacement.
With the panels no longer generating, the homeowner was left without labor support because the original installer had gone out of business. 
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For this homeowner, the appeal of a DIY solution was straightforward: “I really don’t want to pay a company if I can just install it myself.”
Commenters said the free inverter could eliminate the biggest parts cost, but they warned that commissioning, account permissions, and other setup steps would probably still be required before the system could produce power again. A commenter did point them to a DIY YouTube video of a creator facing the same situation.
A manufacturer’s equipment warranty and an installer’s labor warranty are often separate, meaning an installer going out of business does not necessarily mean a broken system cannot be repaired.
Another problem emerged in the discussion. The homeowner said they had never been given access to the SolarEdge app and suspected nobody had been monitoring the system. Without those login credentials, a solar system can underperform or stop working for extended periods before anyone realizes it.
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To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy over time, though partnering with the right company makes a big difference. If you’re considering it, EnergySage can help you get free installation estimates and compare quotes from vetted installers.
Several commenters said the physical replacement could be manageable for someone comfortable with electrical work, but the software and account side could be the bigger hurdle. One commenter wrote they would “need to pair optimizers and such,” while another argued that “the commissioning can be the most time consuming.”
If the replacement is a newer design, the job may require extra parts or rewiring adjustments, adding labor costs even if the inverter itself is free.
If production drops and no one is tracking it, lost savings can quietly add up on your utility bill.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Advice in the thread centered as much on account access as on the hardware itself. Commenters suggested checking whether the manufacturer could transfer or update the inverter on the account, and whether owner registration or basic training might unlock commissioning tools.
Taking a step back, EnergySage can also help people still shopping for solar in the first place. With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
Homeowners can also use EnergySage’s solar map, which shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level as well as details on solar panel incentives for each state; together, those tools can help people get the best price for rooftop panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners interested in backup power can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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