Anna, Illinois Homeowner Shows Off Clean Energy
https://youtu.be/00vRcT7UU9c In this StraightUp Solar testimonial, find out how this Anna, Illinois homeowner goes from “dirty” energy to clean! When Alan Pigg retired from a
Collects multiple strings of PV
modules and combines them
in parallel
Converts the DC power coming
from your array to AC power before
it reaches your home
Safety feature to turn off AC (grid)
power before it reaches your
Main Service Panel
Also called a “Breaker Box” - this controls
power from the grid and your array to
the individual circuits of your home
Switches located at the bottom of the
Main Service Panel that turn off the
power to your array
Hardwired internet connection cable,
likely located near your router
and/or inverter
Wireless internet connection device,
likely located near computer
Device that reads incoming and
outgoing power to and from the grid
and your home
Are you seeing a “Gateway Not Reporting” error in your Enphase app? First, locate your Enphase Gateway. The Gateway is the communications device that collects information about your system’s performance and transmits that information over the internet to the MyEnlighten portal. Your Gateway may be in your utility room, garage, basement, on the outside of your home, or near your home’s electrical circuit breaker panel (Main Service Panel) or sub-panel for your array.
Your Gateway may be in a water-tight enclosure, frequently called the Enphase Combiner Box. If you open the enclosure, you will find the Gateway inside – it may be installed sideways. There are several versions of the Gateway – click on your model for further instructions:”
Still can’t find your Gateway? Please let us know and we can help!
Now that you have found your Gateway, click on your model for further instructions.
If after following these instructions, you still see a Gateway Not Reporting error, please contact our Service Department for additional assistance.
Please visit the Enphase Support page to determine how your system is connected to the internet and follow the troubleshooting steps provided.
If after following these instructions, you still see a Gateway Not Reporting error, please contact our Service Department for additional assistance.
Please visit the Enphase Support page to determine how your system is connected to the internet and follow the troubleshooting steps provided. Here is what the IQ Combiner will look like when it is successfully reconnected:
If after following these instructions, you still see a Gateway Not Reporting error, please contact our Service Department for additional assistance.
Follow these directions from Enphase
Please check to make sure your AC disconnect is in the Up/On position (#3 on the interactive graphic at the top of this page).
After adjusting your breakers and/or AC disconnect, it may take 30 minutes for the issue to be resolved on the Enphase Enlighten monitoring portal. If the “Microinverter Not Reporting” status remains after completing this troubleshooting step, please contact our Service Department for additional assistance. Please also take a clear photo of the LED status lights – our Service team may need this information to help diagnose the issue.
Please check to make sure your AC disconnect is in the Up/On position (see #3 on the interactive graphic at the top of this page).
After adjusting your breakers and/or AC disconnect, it may take 30 minutes for the issue to be resolved on the Enphase Enlighten monitoring portal. If the “Microinverter Not Reporting” status remains after completing this step, please contact our Service Department for additional assistance. Please also take a clear photo of the LED status lights or LCD screen (Envoy R) – our Service team may need this information to help diagnose the issue.
The ‘Microinverters Not Reporting’ system status sometimes displays when the Gateway is too far from the home’s main service panel or because of interferences in the power lines between the microinverters and the Gateway. Usually, this is an issue you can address on your own and should not require an onsite visit. You can try the following to restore reporting between your microinverters and the Gateway:
For more information on these instructions, go to the Enphase Support webpage
If everything is properly powered on, you can proceed with a system reset, called a Power Cycle. Most inverter challenges can be corrected with these Power Cycle steps.
Step 1: Turn off the DC Power
Locate your SMA Inverter
Find the black or tan dial/knob. It will be located on the front or left side of the inverter
Turn the dial ¼ to the left into the OFF position.
Step 2: Turn off the AC Power
Note: If the solar circuit breaker is not labeled, look for a dual pull 40 AMP breaker toward the bottom of the main service panel that might look newer than the others. This is likely the solar breaker.
Step 3: Leave everything off for 10 minutes
Leave the AC and DC power completely off for 10 minutes. This will allow time fo the capacitors in the inverter to discharge completely before proceeding to the next step
Step 4: Turn on the AC power
Flip the AC solar breaker back into the ON position. Make sure it matches the direction of the rest of the breakers in the main service panel.
Step 5: Turn on the DC power
Turn the DC power back into the ON position by turning the dial/knob ¼ turn to the right.
For many inverters, all three LED lights will come on and stay solid for a period of time upon start-up. It may take up to 10 minutes for the inverter to finish turning all the way back on.
You may hear clicking sounds as the inverters power back up. This is normal. Eventually you will see the LED lights showing:
If the sun is shining, the online SMA Sunny Portal should begin to show data within 30 minutes. Check “Current PV Power” for power and “Current PV System Status” for a green check mark.
Note: if red light remains on and/or a 4-digit code remains on the inverter screen, please document this (photos work great) and contact our Service Department for additional assistance.
Step 1: Turn off the DC power.
Locate your SMA Inverter
Find the black or tan dial/knob. It will be located on the front or left side of the inverter
Turn the dial ¼ to the left into the OFF position.
Step 2: Turn off the AC power.
Step 3: Leave everything off for 10 minutes.
Leave the AC and DC power completely off for 10 minutes. This will allow time fo the capacitors in the inverter to discharge completely before proceeding to the next step
Step 4: Turn on the AC power.
Lift the AC disconnect handle up into the ON position.
Step 5: Turn on the DC power.
Turn the DC power back into the ON position by turning the dial/knob ¼ turn to the right.
For many inverters, all three LED lights will come on and stay solid for a period of time upon start-up. It may take up to 10 minutes for the inverter to finish turning all the way back on.
You may hear clicking sounds as the inverters power back up. This is normal. Eventually you will see the LED lights showing:
If the sun is shining, the online SMA Sunny Portal should begin to show data within 30 minutes. Check “Current PV Power” for power and “Current PV System Status” for a green check mark.
Note: if red light remains on and/or a 4-digit code remains on the inverter screen, please document this (photos work great) and contact our Service Department for additional assistance.
When there is a green light on your inverter but there is a “No Communications” alert on your online SolarEdge/mySolarEdge monitoring portal, please see the following guidance to help re-establish your internet connection:
Step 1: Confirm that the internet is working properly on your computer. If not, please contact your Internet Service Provider to help re-establish an internet connection.
Step 2: Confirm your inverter is properly connected to your router and that your router is properly connected to the internet. To do this, determine which of the following connections is applicable for your solar system setup and follow the provided guidance.
Step 3: If the problem persists, reset your internet router. If none of the above solutions seem to correct your inverter’s internet connection, reset your router: unplug the router from the wall outlet – wait 30 seconds – plug the router back in.
Have you changed Internet Service Providers (ISP) or installed a new router lately?
This section will address these common questions:
Before you begin, follow the steps below to check and confirm that all of your solar system’s components are activated and showing power.
If everything is properly powered on, you can proceed with a system reset, called a Power Cycle. Most inverter challenges can be corrected with these Power Cycle steps.
Step 1: Begin powering down the inverter.
Note: In some SolarEdge models, the toggle has three different options. Push the toggle to the “0” position.
Step 2: Turn off the DC power.
Step 3: Turn off the AC power.
Note: If the solar circuit breaker is not labeled, look for a dual pull 40 AMP breaker toward the bottom of the main service panel that might look newer than the others – this is likely the solar breaker.
Step 4: Leave everything off for 10 minutes.
Leave the AC and DC power completely off for 10 minutes. This will allow time for the capacitors in the inverter to discharge completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 5: Power the system back ON.
Repeat all of the previous steps in the opposite order:
You may hear clicking sounds as the inverters power back up – this is normal. It will take up to 15 minutes for the inverters to cycle all the way back on. For screenless inverters, all three LED lights will turn on and remain solid for a brief time. The three colors are:
Step 6: Verify production.
After 15 minutes, check the LED indicator located in-between the cabinets of the inverter.
*If the red light remains on and/or a code appears on the inverter screen, document this and contact our Service Department for additional assistance.
If your inverter has a screen, a short press of the rightmost button will “wake up” the screen. If you see a number below the “Pac”, solar production is taking place.
If the sun is shining, the online SolarEdge portal should begin to show data within 1 hour.
Step 1: Begin powering down the inverter.
Note: In some SolarEdge models, the toggle has three different options. Push the toggle to the “0” position.
Step 2: Turn off the DC power.
Step 3: Turn off the AC power.
Step 4: Leave everything off for 10 minutes.
Leave the AC and DC power completely off for 10 minutes. This will allow time for the capacitors in the inverter to discharge completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 5: Power the system back ON.
Repeat all of the previous steps in the opposite order:
You may hear clicking sounds as the inverters power back up – this is normal. It will take up to 15 minutes for the inverters to cycle all the way back on. For screenless inverters, all three LED lights will turn on and remain solid for a brief time. The three colors are:
Step 6: Verify production.
After 15 minutes, check the LED indicator located in-between the cabinets of the inverter.
*If the red light remains on and/or a code appears on the inverter screen, document this and contact our Service Department for additional assistance.
If your inverter has a screen, a short press of the rightmost button will “wake up” the screen. If you see a number below the “Pac”, solar production is taking place.
If the sun is shining, the online SolarEdge portal should begin to show data within 1 hour.
When there is a green light on your inverter but there is a “No Communications” alert on your online SolarEdge/mySolarEdge monitoring portal, please see the following guidance to help re-establish your internet connection:
Step 1: Confirm that the internet is working properly on your computer. If not, please contact your Internet Service Provider to help re-establish an internet connection.
Step 2: Confirm your inverter is properly connected to your router and that your router is properly connected to the internet. To do this, determine which of the following connections is applicable for your solar system setup and follow the provided guidance.
Step 3: If the problem persists, reset your internet router. If none of the above solutions seem to correct your inverter’s internet connection, reset your router: unplug the router from the wall outlet – wait 30 seconds – plug the router back in.
Have you changed Internet Service Providers (ISP) or installed a new router lately?
Before you begin, follow the steps below to check and confirm that all of your solar system’s components are activated and showing power.
If everything is properly powered on, you can proceed with a system reset, called a Powercycle. Most inverter challenges can be corrected with these Powercycle steps.
1. Locate your AC circuit breaker or AC disconnect.
AC Circuit Breaker (pictured above)
AC Disconnect (pictured above)
Breakers will usually be in your breaker panel. AC disconnects will be near your utility meter. Some systems will have both a circuit breaker and a disconnect. Some will only have a disconnect. if you have a breaker, make sure that it is not tripped. Let us know if it was tripped.
2. Turn off the breaker or AC disconnect switch. This switch turns off AC grid voltage going to the inverter.
3. Locate the DC disconnect on the bottom left side of the inverter (shown below). Turn the DC disconnect off. It will make a positive click sound when it goes into the off or on position. This turns off DC voltage going to the inverter.
Front of Solis Inverter (pictured above)
Bottom of Solis inverter with DC disconnect switch (pictured above)
4. The inverter should now be off. Make sure that no lights are lit on the inverter now. If everything looks to be off, then wait 5 minutes.
5. After 5 minutes, reverse the process by turning the AC breaker/disconnect and the DC disconnect back on. At this point, the inverter should start to go through its boot-up sequence. After a 5-minute grid monitoring period, power productions should resume if the sun is out. The power and operation lights should be on and solid, indicating normal operations.
If the alarm light goes on, look for an error code on the screen of the inverter. Send us a picture the screen. This visual information helps us best diagnose your issue.
If you see proper operation again and can see power production on the screen taking place, you are finished with the power cycle.
Please let us know what you found out during the power cycling process, and we can assist you further
When there is a green light on your inverter but there is a “No Communications” alert on your online SolarEdge/mySolarEdge monitoring portal, please see the following guidance to help re-establish your internet connection:
Step 1: Confirm that the internet is working properly on your computer. If not, please contact your Internet Service Provider to help re-establish an internet connection.
Step 2: Confirm your inverter is properly connected to your router and that your router is properly connected to the internet. To do this, determine which of the following connections is applicable for your solar system setup and follow the provided guidance.
Step 3: If the problem persists, reset your internet router. If none of the above solutions seem to correct your inverter’s internet connection, reset your router: unplug the router from the wall outlet – wait 30 seconds – plug the router back in.
Have you changed Internet Service Providers (ISP) or installed a new router lately?
Before you begin, follow the steps below to check and confirm that all of your solar system’s components are activated and showing power.
If everything is properly powered on, you can proceed with a system reset, called a Powercycle. Most inverter challenges can be corrected with these Powercycle steps.
Step 1: Turn off the DC power.
Locate your Fronius inverter.
Find the black switch – it will be located on the bottom-left of your inverter.
Turn knob 1⁄4 turn toward the “O” position. (Look closely at the switch from below to verify which position is the “O” position.)
Step 2: Turn off the AC power.
Note: If the solar circuit breaker is not labeled, look for a dual pull 40 AMP breaker toward the bottom of the main service panel that might look newer than the others. This is likely the solar breaker.
Step 3: Wait 5 minutes.
Leave the DC power completely off for 5 minutes. This will allow time for the capacitors in the inverter to discharge completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Turn on the AC power.
Flip the AC solar breaker back into the ON position. Make sure it matches the direction of the rest of the breakers in the main service panel.
Step 5: Turn on the DC power.
Turn ON the DC disconnect switch on the bottom-left of your inverter by turning it toward the “I” position. You may hear clicking sounds as the inverters power back up – this is normal.
Step 6: Check inverter screen for activity.
Under normal conditions, the inverter will display a “Start Up” or “AC Grid Timer” message on the screen for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes have elapsed, the inverter should be completely on and display a read-out of its real time production in watts.
If after 5 minutes, the screen displays a persistent State Code, please take note of the code and contact the Service Department for further assistance.
Step 1: Turn off the DC power.
Locate your Fronius inverter.
Find the black switch – it will be located on the bottom-left of your inverter.
Turn knob 1⁄4 turn toward the “O” position. (Look closely at the switch from below to verify which position is the “O” position.)
Step 2: Turn off the AC power.
Step 3: Wait 5 minutes.
Leave the DC power completely off for 5 minutes. This will allow time for the capacitors in the inverter to discharge completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Turn on the AC power.
Lift the AC disconnect handle up into the ON position.
Step 5: Turn on the DC power.
Turn ON the DC disconnect switch on the bottom-left of your inverter by turning it toward the “I” position. You may hear clicking sounds as the inverters power back up – this is normal.
Step 6: Check inverter screen for activity.
Under normal conditions, the inverter will display a “Start Up” or “AC Grid Timer” message on the screen for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes have elapsed, the inverter should be completely on and display a read-out of its real time production in watts.
If after 5 minutes, the screen displays a persistent State Code, please take note of the code and contact the Service Department for further assistance.
When there is a green light on your inverter but there is a “No Communications” alert on your online Fronius portal, please see the following guidance to help re-establish your internet connection:
Step 1: Confirm that the internet is working properly on your computer. If not, please contact your Internet Service Provider to help re-establish an internet connection.
Step 2: Confirm your inverter is properly connected to your router and that your router is properly connected to the internet. To do this, determine which of the following connections is applicable for your solar system setup and follow the provided guidance.
Step 3: If the problem persists, reset your internet router. If none of the above solutions seem to correct your inverter’s internet connection, reset your router: unplug the router from the wall outlet – wait 30 seconds – plug the router back in.
Have you changed Internet Service Providers (ISP) or installed a new router lately?
Follow the Power Cycling instructions on this page or download specific instructions for your inverter brand below
StraightUp Solar has a dedicated crew that partners with roofing, construction, and homeowners to remove and reinstall solar PV system components for these home improvement projects. Please contact us for more information and to request a quote.
The amount of kilowatt-hours (or “solar credits”) listed on your utility bill only reflects the excess solar energy generated during that month that was sent to the utility grid, not the total amount of solar energy produced by your system. You can find information about your system’s total energy production on the monitoring portal. When the sun is shining and your array is producing energy, your home’s appliances and electrical needs get to use it first! Any surplus amount not needed by the home will then go back to the grid. The utility meter can only record this excess solar energy, and cannot measure the amount consumed by the home. For more information check out these videos on how to read your energy energy bill in Illinois and Missouri.
StraightUp Solar only services off-grid or battery systems originally installed by our team at this time. To find an installer to service your off-grid system that we did not install, consult the Illinois Solar Energy Association directory or the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association directory.
StraightUp Solar will service solar thermal or solar hot-water systems installed by our company. To find a solar installer to service your system, consult the Illinois Solar Energy Association directory or the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association directory.
We have a formal change of ownership process for new owners of a home with a StraightUp Solar system installed. We’ll connect you to the online system monitoring portal (to view how much energy your system produces), and assist with transferring over your system’s warranty coverage. We will also provide you with an Owner’s Guide for your system and can walk you through the key components. While there is no deadline before or after the purchase date of your home to complete these steps, we’d like to get the process started right away in order to provide you with important solar ownership information, and ensure that you are enjoying all the benefits of your system! Please reach out to us at your earliest convenience.
If you have purchased a home with a system installed by another company, we are happy to share information on the system operations and advise on important steps as a new solar PV system owner. We can also provide information on system repair, support, and maintenance services. Just reach out to us!
Animals can cause excessive damage by chewing wires and digging under roof-mounted solar arrays. Removing trees or vegetation near the roof can help prevent their access. If you see animal activity, please contact us to schedule a service visit. Animal damage and other Acts of Nature are not covered by any warranty, but may be covered under your homeowner’s insurance.
To prevent animal damage, we recommend installing Critter Guard, a heavily coated black wire mesh installed around the perimeter of your array. Though Critter Guard is not a 100% guarantee against animal damage, it can be an effective deterrent to nesting birds, squirrels, and other roof rodents. Please contact our service department for a quote on Critter Guard.
Solar panels are made of very durable materials and can withstand most hail storms. However, fallen trees, golf balls, lawnmowers (ground arrays), human-made projectiles, and major flooding can cause damage to your solar panels. If you have visible damage to your system, please contact your homeowner’s insurance first. We can follow their assessment with our estimate for a service repair. Please contact us for a quote.
Yes, full or partial snow cover may affect your system’s production. DO NOT CLIMB ON YOUR ROOF TO REMOVE THE SNOW! If you have a ground mount, using your hand or soft bristle broom to remove the snow can be helpful.
You may see alerts or errors on your monitoring portal related to low DC voltage. When snow and ice melt from the array, the error messages should resolve on their own. A portal alert may still display for a few days after solar production has returned to normal. Please be advised that snow must clear from the array before troubleshooting can take place with our service technicians or the original equipment manufacturer.
Snow days were accounted for in your solar energy generation estimate. Our project developers use localized weather forecasting to produce these estimates. Frequently, the long sunny days of summer will more than make up for winter days and occasional snow cover, and should not affect your overall annual average production. Our 10-year production guarantee ensures that you will receive the full benefit of your solar PV system’s energy generation.
Yes! If you are interested in having your panels professionally cleaned, we can provide an estimate upon request. The cost will be customized to your system, depending on number of panels installed, slope and height of your roof and whether your system requires the use of specialized lifts and equipment.
Please note that in the winter months, we can only perform panel cleaning at temperatures above 42 degrees.
Please submit a Service Request if interested and we will be happy to provide a quote for you.
Roof-mounted arrays: For your safety, StraightUp Solar does not recommend that customers access their roof array for any reason, including panel cleaning.
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