Is Your Solar System Underperforming? A Beenleigh Solar Repair Case Study

There’s nothing more frustrating than investing in solar power, only to see your electricity bills start creeping back up. You check your monitoring app and notice the numbers just aren’t what they used to be. This is a common issue for owners of older solar systems, and it’s exactly the problem a local homeowner in Beenleigh was facing when they called Fallon Solutions.

Their once-efficient system was failing, costing them money and peace of mind. This story highlights the common signs of an ageing solar system and how a modern upgrade can restore your energy independence.

The Problem: When Good Solar Goes Bad

The Beenleigh homeowner contacted us after noticing a significant and consistent drop in their solar system’s performance. The system, which had served them well for years, was now struggling to generate the energy it once did. For homeowners, the signs of this problem are often subtle at first but become more obvious over time.

Our licenced solar technicians conducted a thorough inspection and diagnosed several critical issues:

• Decreased Solar Output: The most obvious symptom was that the system was producing far less power. This directly translates to higher electricity bills, as more power needs to be drawn from the grid.
• Visible Panel Deterioration: The solar panels showed clear signs of ageing. Over time, exposure to Queensland’s harsh sun can cause delamination, micro-cracks, and discolouration. These are not just cosmetic issues; they are signs of broken solar panels that can severely impact efficiency.
• Critical Inverter Fault: The heart of their system, the central inverter, had a recurring relay fault. Think of the inverter as the brain of the operation—it converts the DC power from your panels into the AC power your home uses. A relay fault meant the system was intermittently shutting down, making it unreliable and potentially unsafe.

Given the system’s age and the combination of failing components, a simple solar inverter repair wouldn’t be a cost-effective or long-term solution. The homeowner was facing a situation where repairing one part would likely lead to another failing soon after. We recommended a full system replacement to provide a modern, reliable, and more powerful solution.

The Solution: A Modern Upgrade to Enphase Microinverters

After discussing the options, the customer chose to invest in a brand-new Enphase solar system. This wasn’t just a like-for-like replacement; it was a significant technological upgrade.

Unlike traditional systems that use one large central “string” inverter, Enphase systems use microinverters. Our team installed a small microinverter on the back of each individual solar panel.

So, what does this mean for the homeowner?

The old system was like a set of old-fashioned Christmas lights—if one panel (or bulb) had an issue, like being covered by shade or debris, the performance of the entire string of panels dropped significantly. The Enphase microinverter system is different. Each panel operates independently. If a single panel is shaded by a tree branch or a passing cloud, the other panels continue to generate power at their maximum capacity.

Our installation process was seamless. The Fallon Solutions team safely decommissioned and removed the old, faulty system, including all panels and the broken inverter. We then installed the new, high-efficiency panels and their paired Enphase microinverters, ensuring all wiring and mounting complied with the highest Australian standards.

The Benefits for the Homeowner: More Than Just Power

With the new Enphase system fully commissioned, the Beenleigh homeowner is now enjoying a host of benefits that go far beyond just “fixing” the problem.

• Increased Energy Generation: The new system is significantly more efficient, capturing more sunlight and converting it into usable electricity, leading to lower power bills.
• Panel-Level Monitoring: The homeowner can now see the performance of every single panel on their roof through a simple app. This makes it easy to spot any issues early.
• Enhanced Safety: Microinverters operate at a much lower DC voltage than traditional string inverters, making the entire system inherently safer for the home and for any future maintenance.
• Long-Term Reliability: The new system is built with modern, durable components and comes with robust warranties, giving the owner complete peace of mind.

This project transformed a failing, outdated setup into a smart, efficient, and reliable energy powerhouse, perfectly illustrating the value of a professional solar system repair and upgrade.

Why Choose Fallon Solutions?

For over 60 years, Fallon Solutions has been the trusted name for electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning services across South East Queensland. Our team of licenced and experienced technicians specialises in diagnosing and resolving complex solar issues. We are committed to providing high-quality, lasting solutions that deliver real value to our customers in Beenleigh and the wider Logan region. Want to learn more about our solar services, visit our solar trade area.

Call us on 1300 054 488 or send us an enquiry here.