Prompt fault diagnosis
Non-operational systems cost money every bright day. We offer a full diagnostic and repair service across Birmingham, Solihull and within 40 miles.
Solar City services
Solar repair
Fault finding, on-site repairs and inverter replacements from electricians who understand solar systems end to end.
On-site repair
Where possible our engineers carry out electrical repairs on site, so you are back generating without unnecessary delay.
Inverter replacement
Faulty string inverters replaced with modern high-efficiency or hybrid units, usually without needing roof access or scaffolding.
Solar fault finding & repairs across Birmingham and Solihull
Every solar PV system relies on power electronics that work every daylight hour. While solar panels themselves are solid-state and rarely fail, inverters, isolators and connectors can develop faults over a 10 to 25 year lifespan. The good news is that most repairs are straightforward and can be carried out at the inverter and isolator location without erecting scaffolding.
We often find that a homeowner's array has been offline for months - or even a full summer - before a bill or meter reading reveals the drop in generation. Checking your inverter status lights and monitoring app every few weeks is the simplest way to catch a fault early.
Repairing systems we did not originally install
Over the past fifteen years, hundreds of short-lived solar sales companies and national sub-contracting schemes have come and gone. If your original installer is no longer trading or will not return your calls, Solar City can help. Chris Hammond has worked in solar since 2002, with our first solar installs carried out in 2005 and Solar City launched in 2010, so we are comfortable fault-finding legacy arrays across Birmingham, Solihull and within 40 miles of Solihull.
What we test and repair
- Inverter error codes & replacement: Diagnosing isolation faults, relay failures, grid over-voltage trips and dead inverter displays, and fitting replacement string or hybrid inverters.
- DC string & insulation resistance testing: Testing open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Isc) and insulation resistance from the loft or garage to pinpoint damaged MC4 connectors, squirrel/bird cable damage or water ingress.
- AC & DC isolator replacement: Replacing heat-damaged, seized or moisture-affected rotary isolators, RCBOs and generation meters.
- Upgrading older systems with battery storage: When an older inverter fails, many homeowners choose to replace it with a hybrid inverter so they can add home battery storage at the same time.
If your inverter is showing a fault code or your generation has dropped, note down the make, model and any screen message and call our Tyseley office on 0121 707 9991 or send us a message.
- Most faults are at the inverter or isolators; roof access is often not required
- Check your inverter display or app regularly for red warning lights or error codes
- Experienced in-house MCS electricians (NIC-1542); nothing outsourced to sales teams
- We repair systems we installed and existing arrays installed by other companies
Common questions
Do you repair solar panel systems you did not originally install?
Yes. Many homeowners across Birmingham, Solihull and the West Midlands contact us because their original installer has ceased trading or was a national company with no local engineers. Our in-house solar electricians inspect, diagnose and repair existing arrays regardless of who fitted them.
What is the most common fault on a domestic solar PV system?
The string inverter is the hardest-working component in a solar system and commonly requires attention or replacement after 8 to 12 years. Other frequent issues include tripped AC/DC isolators, water ingress in external switches, earth faults on DC string cabling, or lost Wi-Fi monitoring dongles.
Will you need scaffolding to repair my solar system?
Usually no. Because the majority of faults occur at the inverter, isolators or generation meter, we can carry out DC string testing and inverter replacements from ground/loft level without scaffolding. If tests prove a roof-level connector or panel fault, we explain access options before any roof work is booked.
Can I upgrade to a hybrid inverter and battery when replacing a faulty inverter?
Often yes. If your older string inverter has failed, upgrading to a modern hybrid inverter (such as Fox ESS) can be a cost-effective moment to add home battery storage or leave your array battery-ready.
Will replacing a faulty inverter affect my Feed-in Tariff (FIT) payments?
Replacing a like-for-like faulty inverter to keep an existing array safe and operational does not normally affect legacy Feed-in Tariff eligibility, provided total panel capacity (kWp) and the generation meter setup remain compliant. We advise you on your specific setup during our visit.
Ready to talk through your project?
Free desktop design and quotation from a family-run MCS installer; no salespeople. See real installs in our case studies, or open the design tool for Solihull and West Midlands roofs.