Growatt Error 117 — Consistent High Power Output Fault
Inverter output power exceeds the rated maximum for too long. Unlike Error 04, this is NOT a safety fault — it's a protection trip. Most common on oversized arrays or export-limited installations. Usually self-resolving, but we cover every diagnostic step.
This diagnostic guide covers every cause. Single occurrence = likely nothing to worry about. Daily occurrence = work through these steps to identify whether it's a settings issue or normal system behaviour.
Book Remote Diagnostic — from £75 → Growatt hubGrowatt Error 117 occurs when the inverter detects that it is generating above its rated maximum capacity.
6-step diagnostic process
Work through these steps in order to understand whether Error 117 is a setting issue, a design characteristic, or a genuine problem.
Check ShineServer for when the error appeared and how often
Log into ShineServer and navigate to Fault Logs. Check: when did Error 117 first appear? Does it occur once or twice, or multiple times per week? Single occurrence = likely transient grid condition, nothing to worry about. Multiple daily occurrences = needs investigation.
Check export limit settings in ShineServer
Navigate to Device Settings → Export Limit (if configured). Check the limit value and confirm it matches your G98/G99 registration with the DNO. If export limit is correctly set but Error 117 still appears, the issue is not misconfiguration — it's that your PV array is capable of exceeding the inverter's power rating.
Compare inverter rated output with your PV array size
Check your original installation paperwork: what is the total kWp of your solar array? What is the rated AC output of your Growatt inverter? For example, a 5kW Growatt MIN with a 6kWp array is oversized — on a bright day, the array can generate more than 5kW, triggering Error 117. This is normal. It's a tradeoff: over-paneling maximises generation in poor light, but clips peak power on bright days.
Check CT clamp orientation is correct
A reversed CT clamp can confuse the inverter's power management logic and cause spurious Error 117 trips. In ShineServer, check the grid power readings at night with no solar generation — the reading should show a positive value (import). If it shows negative (export) when you're clearly consuming from the grid, the CT clamp may be installed backwards.
Check firmware version and release notes
Some older Growatt firmware versions (particularly pre-2020) logged Error 117 spuriously even when the inverter was operating normally. Check your current firmware version in ShineServer (Device → Info → Firmware Version). Visit the Growatt website and check the release notes for your inverter model. A firmware update may resolve repeat false-positive Error 117 trips.
If persistent and affecting performance, request a remote session
If Error 117 is occurring daily and affecting your export earnings, we can review ShineServer historical data to confirm whether the fault pattern matches expected peak generation times (indicating oversizing) or anomalous behaviour (indicating a configuration error or hardware issue).
Where you'll see Error 117
Inverter screen shows "Error 117" with amber/orange LED. Generation stops briefly, then may restart when output drops.
Log into ShineServer → Device → History. Error 117 appears with timestamp, usually on bright sunny days at peak generation hours.
Error history tab shows Error 117 entries, typically clustered around midday in summer.
Affected Growatt models
MIN-TL-X series — most common (especially MIN-5.0-TL-X, MIN-6.0-TL-X)
MOD-TL3-X series — three-phase inverters with oversized arrays
SPH-TL-BH series — some hybrid models when export limit misconfigured
What you should know about Error 117
Unlike Error 04 (insulation fault), Error 117 does not indicate dangerous DC wiring, water ingress, or component failure. It is the inverter protecting itself from sustained overload.
Many installers deliberately oversize the PV array (e.g. 5.4kWp on a 5kW inverter) to improve winter generation and annual output. Error 117 on peak sunny days is expected behaviour in an oversized system.
When Error 117 trips, generation stops briefly. As the output drops below the limit (usually within minutes), the inverter may automatically restart. You may not need to manually restart the system.
Error 117 shutdowns typically last only a few minutes during peak generation hours. Annual energy loss is usually less than 1–2% unless shutdowns are very frequent.
About Growatt Error 117
Error 117 is common on Growatt MIN (string) and SPH (hybrid) inverters, particularly in installations from 2018–2022. Unlike Error 04, it is NOT a safety fault — it is a protection code triggered when the inverter detects that its output power has exceeded the rated maximum for too long. The inverter may automatically restart after the error, or it may require manual reset depending on firmware version.
Error 117 is most commonly caused by an oversized PV array (e.g., 6kWp on a 5kW inverter), which is a design choice, not a fault. Some installers intentionally oversize arrays to maximise generation in low-light conditions. The tradeoff is that on bright days, peak generation is clipped. This is normal and acceptable.
Error 117 questions answered
Not necessarily. If Error 117 occurs only occasionally, it's likely a transient grid condition and nothing to worry about. If it occurs daily or multiple times per week, the cause is usually either a correctly-sized system on a bright day (no issue), an oversized array, or an incorrect export limit setting. Check your settings first — most cases are resolved remotely without a site visit.
Yes, if the error is causing the inverter to disconnect repeatedly. During the disconnect period, you are not exporting to the grid and therefore not earning export payment. However, if Error 117 is rare or only occurs for seconds at a time, the impact on annual earnings is minimal. Persistent daily Error 117 faults should be addressed to restore full generation.
Repeating Error 117 points to either: a PV array genuinely oversized for the inverter (most common), an export limit set too low, or a CT clamp orientation error. Arrays installed pre-2020 sometimes had oversizing (6kWp on 5kW inverters) to maximise generation. This is not a fault — it's a design tradeoff. The inverter clips peak output, but annual generation may still be optimal due to the extra panel capacity in low-light conditions.
Energy is only lost during the brief shutdown period. SEG payments are based on export metering which operates independently from Error 117 protection. If Error 117 appears frequently and causes repeated shutdowns, address the underlying cause to maximise generation time and SEG earnings.
Yes, this is the most common pattern. Peak PV output occurs on bright, clear days when outdoor temperature is high (especially summer midday). If your array is oversized relative to your inverter rating, or export limiting is misconfigured, Error 117 will trip when output reaches the limit. This confirms the root cause — oversizing or export limit settings, not a component failure.
Identify the root cause: (1) If array is oversized (e.g. 5.4kWp on a 5kW inverter), this is intentional and Error 117 is normal on peak days — no fix needed unless shutdowns are unacceptable. (2) If export limiter is misconfigured, adjust the limit in ShineServer System Parameters. (3) If CT clamp is reversed, swap the clamp connectors to restore correct polarity. (4) Check firmware version — older versions may have lower trip thresholds; a firmware update may raise the threshold.
Error 117 affecting your system?
Tell us how often Error 117 is occurring. We'll review your ShineServer data to confirm whether it's a normal characteristic of an oversized array or a genuine configuration issue that needs fixing.