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Troubleshooting Your Solar Energy System

Your Palmetto solar energy system is designed to run efficiently with little to no maintenance. That said, it's good practice to keep an eye on your system regularly so you catch any changes in performance early. Most issues can be resolved with a simple reset.

Do not attempt to troubleshoot or repair components yourself beyond the recommended reset procedure.


How to identify issues

Log in to your Palmetto account and go to the Dashboard, where you can track production by day, week, and month. If you notice a sudden drop in production or a significant change from your typical levels, it's time to investigate further.

While solar systems rarely go offline on their own, certain scenarios can cause your system to shut down or underperform, including power outages, grid failures, or severe weather.


Critical alerts

If there's an issue detected by our remote monitoring, a critical alert will appear on the main Energy Balance screen in your Palmetto app. These alerts can be triggered by hardware malfunctions, software issues, or external conditions like severe weather.

When you see a critical alert:

  1. Try resetting your solar energy system (see steps below).

  2. Allow up to 24 hours for changes to appear on your dashboard.

  3. If the alert is still present after 24 hours, reach out to us. We'll walk you through next steps, which may include requesting service.

In cases of prolonged downtime or significant performance issues, a case will be created and assigned to a specialist for investigation.

Dashboard not showing data? This may be due to pending activation, incomplete documentation, or a delay in system updates. Check your activation status with your installer, and allow some time after activation for data to populate. If the issue persists, contact us.


How to reset your system

SolarEdge

Step 1: Turn off your inverter

Your SolarEdge inverter is a small white box labeled "SolarEdge," usually located next to your electrical panel, meter, or AC disconnect. Turn the black circular switch clockwise to the OFF position. If you have more than one inverter, locate the nearby subpanel and flip all breakers to OFF.

SEInverterOff

Step 2: Turn off your AC disconnect

This is a small metal box on the outside of your home, next to your meter. Look for a red sticker that reads "AC Disconnect" or "Photovoltaic System AC Disconnect." Lift all switches to the OFF position.

ACDisconnectOff

Step 3: Reset your solar breaker

Find your main electrical panel and locate the breaker labeled "PV Solar Breaker" (look for a red sticker). Flip it to OFF, hold for 30 seconds, then flip it back to ON. If you don't see a PV Solar Breaker, skip to step 4.

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Step 4: Turn your AC disconnect back on

Lift all switches to the ON position.


Step 5: Turn your inverter back on

Turn the black circular switch clockwise to ON.

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Find the small red toggle on the bottom of the inverter, move it to the far left ("P" position), then release it. It should settle in the center "1" position. If you have more than one inverter, flip all subpanel breakers back to ON first.

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The inverter may take a few minutes to start up. Once ready, LED lights will show solid green and blue.

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Enphase

Step 1: Turn off your IQ Combiner breakers

Your Enphase IQ Combiner is a small grey box labeled "Enphase," usually located next to your electrical panel, meter, or AC disconnect. Open the box and flip all breakers away from the center. There may be 2 to 5 breakers inside.

Enphasefront

Step 2: Turn off your AC disconnect

Your AC Disconnect is typically a small metal box on the outside of your home, next to your electricity meter. Look for a red sticker that reads "AC Disconnect" or "Photovoltaic System AC Disconnect."

Lift all switches or handles to the OFF position.

ACDisconnectOff

Step 3: Reset your solar breaker

Find your main electrical panel and locate the "PV Solar Breaker" (look for a red sticker). Flip it to OFF, hold for a moment, then flip it back to ON.

Don't see a PV Solar Breaker? Skip ahead to Step 4.

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Step 4: Turn your AC disconnect back on

Lift all switches to the ON position.


Step 5: Turn your IQ Combiner breakers back on

Flip all breakers back to the center position. The system may take a few minutes to come back online. When reconnected, the leftmost LED light will turn solid green. Production data will begin appearing in your app within 1 to 3 days.

Enphasefronton
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View additional equipment troubleshooting guides here: How to Reset Your System

Safety Precaution: Always perform resets during daylight hours for optimal results.


How to know if the reset worked

After a reset, allow up to 24 hours for new production data to appear on your dashboard. New data appearing is the best sign that the reset was successful. If you don't see production data after 24 hours, or if production looks significantly lower than expected, you may need additional service.


Frequently asked questions

What if a reset doesn't fix the issue?

  • If you've completed the reset and still don't see production data after 24 hours, or if production looks well below normal, you may need a service visit. Request service here.

Could weather cause my system to go down?

  • Yes. Thunderstorms or severe weather can temporarily impact your system. Performing a reset after the weather clears typically restores normal operation.

How long does system activation take?

  • Activation times vary depending on documentation submission and approval. It also requires Permission to Operate (PTO) from your utility and installation of an export meter. If you're experiencing delays, contact us and we'll help expedite the process.


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