Solar Inverter Repair and Hail Damage in Calgary: Who Fixes It and What It Costs

How do I know my inverter has failed?

Check the inverter and your monitoring app first. On a SolarEdge inverter, a solid green light means it is producing, a flashing green light means it is connected but not producing (normal at night or under snow), and a red light means a system error. In the Enphase app, a “microinverters not reporting” status means one or more units, or the gateway, has stopped talking to the system.

Some SolarEdge faults clear with a restart, but ground or isolation faults should not be power-cycled: they point to a wiring or panel fault that needs an electrician. If production has dropped and nothing is flagged, hail damage or a failed connector is the next suspect.

Does the warranty cover the repair?

Usually the part, not the labour. Enphase’s IQ8 warranty for Canada runs 25 years from activation, but it excludes the cost of uninstalling, reinstalling and troubleshooting; Enphase covers shipping only, and the system must have been registered within 45 days. SolarEdge’s April 2026 terms cover most inverters for 12 years (Nexis 10 years) and power optimizers for 25, and leave labour and travel with the owner unless SolarEdge agrees in writing.

Your installer’s workmanship warranty is separate. If the installer is still in business and within that warranty, call them first. If not, a licensed electrician can diagnose the fault, file the manufacturer claim, and install the replacement part.

How do I document hail damage for an insurance claim?

Calgary sits in what insurers call Hailstorm Alley. The August 5, 2024 storm alone caused about $3.25 billion in insured losses across more than 130,000 claims, and hail is the cause of 55% of weather-related solar PV claims. The difficulty with panels is that microcracks can cut output without any visible damage.

For a claim, start with dated, geotagged photos of every panel and the roof, plus your monitoring history before and after the storm. A thermal (infrared) scan helps find hot spots, but it does not show microcracks on its own; electroluminescence imaging does, and is done at night or indoors. Production testing (IV curve tracing) confirms which strings lost output. Voltra’s post-storm inspections combine a visual inspection, thermal imaging and IV curve testing, and give you a written report for the insurer.

Electrician or solar company: who should fix my inverter?

Either can, as long as they are a licensed electrical contractor. Many solar companies are set up mainly for design and new installs. An electrician who works on Enphase and SolarEdge systems can also fix the problems around the inverter: the main panel connection, the AC disconnect, breakers and damaged wiring. Ask whoever you call whether they will handle the manufacturer’s warranty claim.

Birds and squirrels under the panels

Pigeons and squirrels nest in the gap under rooftop panels, and chewed wiring and debris are a fire and production risk. A mesh critter guard fitted around the edge of the array keeps them out. Have the nests cleared and the wiring checked before the guard goes on.