We moved from BT to Vodafone recently. Unfortunately our GivEnergy AIO would no longer appear on the App. Additionally our GivEnergy EV charger stopped working. Vodafone insisted that their dual 2.4ghz and 5ghz compatibility mode would work with the 2.4ghz system. Unfortunately it doesn't. After nearly two weeks of trying to sort this, which also involved searching on various chat forums, I sent an email for help to STS. Within a very short time the same day I got a call from Ash, who is only 45 minutes away from us. He came and quickly got the AIO appearing on the app, so we could once again see the state of the battery. The EV charger presented more of a challenge as the QR code fixed on the side of the charger had worn away. Ash was able to find the necessary information to restore the EV charger to working order. I have a copy of the QR code and other information should we have an issue another time. I had bought a TP-Link TL-WA850RE that just works on 2.4ghz and this is linked permanently to the GivEnergy kit. STS are definitely the people to contact if you find yourself in a similar situation. We are very happy with the service STS provided.
Inherited solar system not working
- Some faults are fixable in minutes
- Inherited faults need proper diagnosis
- Warranty may still apply
A significant number of 'not working' inherited systems are simply isolated — the previous owner turned off the isolation switches and didn't turn them back on. Check the inverter isolation switches and the solar circuit breaker before assuming a fault.
I had a red status light on my GivEnergy battery pack and Ron at Solar Tech Support was a great help resolving the problem. He was able to do a remote diagnosis of the invertor BMS firmware and hardware and gave very quick practical and professional support. Thanks Rob
Diligent and reliable service.
Absolutely fantastic experience, after months of being fobbed off with rubbish from the installer Ronald fixed my issues in a few hours, his attention to detail and his tenacity was amazing, not only did he go above and beyond but did not ask for payment i had to ask him how to pay. If you need a solar fix this company is brilliant
Outstanding support, very detailed knowledge of the system and clarity on what was needed to fix it, no hesitation in recommending them to all.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely Outstanding Service! My GivEnergy system had completely gone down, and unfortunately I was getting absolutely no support from either the original fitter or the supplier. I was left completely stuck with a system that wasn’t working. I contacted Solar Tech Support and they were absolutely brilliant from start to finish. They quickly got to the bottom of the problem, knew exactly what they were doing, and managed to get my entire system back up and running. Hands down, these guys are absolute experts in their field. The level of knowledge, professionalism and customer service was exceptional, especially when I’d already been left without any support elsewhere. If you have a GivEnergy system and you’re struggling with an issue, don’t hesitate to contact Solar Tech Support. I honestly can’t recommend them highly enough. 5 stars all day long! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Why inherited solar systems aren't generating
In order of how commonly we see each cause on inherited systems.
The AC or DC isolation switch near the inverter is in the OFF position. This is the most fixable cause — takes 30 seconds to check and resolve. Check these first before anything else.
The solar circuit breaker in the consumer unit has tripped. Reset it (push to OFF then ON). If it holds, the system may recover. If it trips again immediately, there's a fault on the circuit that needs an electrician.
The inverter has detected a problem and stopped generating. The display will show a fault code or error number. Some codes are self-resolving (grid faults); others require engineer attendance (isolation faults, hardware errors). Note the exact code.
The system has been non-generating for an extended period — sometimes months or years — because the previous owner had no monitoring access and didn't notice. Dormant faults include failed optimisers, corroded connections, and degraded inverter components.
DC string fuses inside the inverter protect the panel circuits. If a fuse has blown, that string produces no output. Multiple blown fuses can take the whole system offline. Fuse replacement is a straightforward electrical job but requires qualified access to the inverter internals.
The inverter itself has failed — either a component failure or end-of-life. Inverters typically last 10–15 years. If the system is over 10 years old and showing no output with no obvious cause, inverter failure is a realistic possibility. May be covered by remaining warranty.
Step-by-step diagnostic
Work through these in order during daylight hours. Many cases are resolved at step 1 or 2.
Stand in front of the inverter during daylight hours — ideally on a sunny or partly cloudy day between 9am and 4pm. A generating system will show output in watts or kilowatts on the display. If the display is dark, the inverter has no power. If it shows zero, the inverter has power but is not generating. If it shows a fault code or error number, note it down exactly — this is your most important diagnostic data.
If the display is showing a generation figure above zero — even a small one — the inverter is working. Your issue is likely monitoring access, not generation.
Near the inverter — sometimes directly on the inverter casing, sometimes on the wall beside it — there will be isolation switches. Look for:
If either is OFF, turn it to ON and wait 2–3 minutes. The inverter will go through a startup cycle (this is normal — most inverters have a 30–300 second grid check before they begin generating).
Open the consumer unit (fuse board). Look for a circuit breaker labelled 'Solar', 'PV', 'Inverter', or with a sun or lightning bolt symbol. The switch should be fully in the ON position. If it is in the middle (tripped) position, push it fully to OFF and then firmly to ON. If it trips immediately on reset, stop — there is a fault on the circuit that needs an electrician to investigate. Do not keep resetting a breaker that is tripping.
If the inverter is powered but showing an error code, write it down exactly and search for it with your inverter brand name. Common inherited system fault codes:
For Growatt-specific error codes, see our Growatt fault code guide.
If steps 1–4 haven't resolved the issue, you have an underlying fault that needs professional diagnosis. Before booking an engineer visit, a remote diagnostic session can:
Systems that have been dormant for months or years
It is more common than people expect to inherit a system that hasn't been generating for a long time. Without monitoring access, the previous owner may not have known the system was inactive — or may have known and chose not to disclose it.
Check the inverter installation date on the label. The inverter label shows the manufacturing or installation date. If the system is over 8 years old, component failure becomes more likely — particularly for older string inverters with electrolytic capacitors that degrade over time. Newer hybrid inverters (under 5 years) are less likely to have hardware-level failures and more likely to have configuration or wiring issues.
Inspect the visible wiring and connections for obvious damage. Without opening any electrical panels yourself, look for visible signs of damage near the inverter — scorching, melted insulation, condensation or corrosion on visible connectors, or cables that appear to have been disturbed. Any of these indicate the system needs an electrician's assessment before it is operated.
Consider whether there may be a warranty or disclosure claim. If the system was non-generating at the point of sale and the previous owner was aware, this may constitute a failure to disclose a material defect. Contact your conveyancing solicitor with any evidence of extended non-generation (from monitoring data if you can access it) to assess whether a claim is viable. Inverter and panel warranties transfer with the property, so check the remaining term. Two exceptions: GivEnergy Ltd entered administration on 9 April 2026 and no further hardware warranties will be honoured (GivEnergy warranty guide), and Fox ESS claims go through a Local Installer (Fox ESS warranty guide).
Get a professional assessment before investing in repairs. On a dormant system, a remote diagnostic can confirm whether the issue is a configuration or data fault, or whether it requires physical engineer attendance. A full electrical inspection by a qualified solar engineer is advisable before spending money on component replacements — the scope of the issue needs to be understood first.
Brand guides and fault code resources
Available on-site across Yorkshire & beyond
Inherited a solar system that isn't working? We start with a remote diagnostic to identify the fault, then visit on-site for repairs if needed — across our full coverage area from Leeds to Sheffield, York, Hull, and beyond.
See all areas we cover →Frequently asked questions
Can't get the system generating after working through this?
For a new homeowner with a non-generating system, an independent solar inspection is the right starting point — a written report covering system condition, fault diagnosis, documentation, and a clear repair or warranty route.
- Independent — full written report included
- No fix, no fee · Inspection £145
- Suitable for conveyancing disputes
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