Sharp review

Sharp - Inverter Reviews

3.8

Based on 42 ratings

Finn's Sharp Inverters Review & Verdict

Finn Peacock has been a Chartered Electrical Engineer since 1998, and is ex-CSIRO

Sharp has produced some decent-quality electrical gear for many years, but their solar inverters were crap.

We had several reports of inverters failing just after the 5-year warranty period. Sharp no longer makes solar inverters for sale in Australia, and that's a good thing.

Sharp Inverters: Pros & Cons

  • No longer produced

About Sharp

Sharp is one of those companies that everybody knows. The firm produces all sorts of electrical items, and it once offered solar inverters.

Sharp Australia Contact Details

Address: 2 Julius Ave, North Ryde NSW 2113
Postal address: PO Box 84, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113
Tel: 1300 135 022
E-mail: [email protected]
Australian Website

Company Information

Sharp’s history goes back to the beginnings of the 20th century when founder Tokuji Hayakawa established his tiny metalworking shop in Tokyo in 1912. There, he started working on metal writing tools and, among them, was a mechanical pencil named the "Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil". That’s how the company’s name came into being.

Now, after more than 110 years, the company is a multinational giant with tens of thousand employees and with offices all over the world, managing a complex business that involves the production and marketing of health and environment equipment, business solutions, electronic devices, digital information equipment, LCDs and, as you already know, energy solutions.

Sharp Inverters In Australia

One of the most widely installed Sharp solar inverters in Australia was the JH-1600E, which had 1.6kW output - not much by today's standards, but back then solar systems were generally much, much smaller. It had an operating temperature range of  -20°C ~ 60°C, with de-rating starting at 40C. The JH-1600E could handle a DC voltage range of 60V to 350V and offered a conversion efficiency of 95%.

The dimensions of the JH-1600E were 440 x 348 x 141 mm and it weighed 12 kilograms. The JH-1600E had an aluminium body with an IP65 rated sealed circuit.

Warranty Information

When Sharp inverters were available, they were accompanied by a 5 year warranty. Unfortunately, they seemed to have a habit of failing soon after that 5 years. There wouldn't be any Sharp inverters still covered by warranty in Australia. If you're having trouble with yours, its not worthwhile getting it repaired. It's time to get a new one and you can pick up some tips on choosing a good solar inverter here; along with brand recommendations.

Sharp has no solar inverters in our database

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Sharp Reviews (42)

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  • 5 star 9
  • 4 star 23
  • 3 star 5
  • 2 star 2
  • 1 star 3

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Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
The model I had was the Sharp JH1600E (1.5kW) which came with a bundle option for a 1.5kW solar system installed 2010. The first 4 years seemed like it was working fine and the highest input reading was around the 900/960W, being none the wiser as it should have been much higher. It was around the 41/2 year old mark that it was constantly giving me an over voltage error. Power SA eventually did a monitor on the incoming supply informed that the inverter was registering 5 Volts higher than actual. Had installer company out to re-calibrate the inverter, which fixed the problem. 8 months later (approx 2 months out of warranty) the inverter failed completely from a (apparently) known and common fault with this inverter and would not have been covered even if still in warranty.

System Cost

$2,000 to $4,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Similar to all other reviews about origin energy supplied harp systems ours has failed . The electrician sauid the sharp product was a dud .
So with v
Dry low earnings off the roof now do you replace god knows how many of these dud systems will have or are about to fail !
Bit of a concern given the likely electrical shortages !!!

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
I had a 1500kW system installed by an Origin contractor in 2010. The first inverter failed within a month and was replaced under the 5 year warranty. Now after 7 years the second one has failed and Origin tells me Sharp no longer supply them. They are offering a replacement for $1900 which seems way too expensive. I'm shopping around as I have a 50c feed in tariff I don't want to give up. I suspect that I would lose the 50c tariff if I upgrade.

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
The Sharp inverter failed 3 months after the 5 year warranty expired.

Neither easy or quick to get a repair

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Purchased a 1500W Rooftop Solar System with a Sharp JH1600E inverter from Origin in SA 5 1/4 years ago. There was a two+ month delay getting installation and less than a month after installation this inverter failed and it took anotehr month before it was replaced under warranty. The performance warranty on this unit was five years. This second inverter has now failed just before its fifth year since installation is up! Origin say the five year warranty is on the system not the replacement unit and therefore they are not liable for its replacement!! Also they have no solar installation service available in SA at present so they can offer no follow-up.

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Our solar inverter from Sharp had a five year warranty and 2 month's after the warranty ended the inverter failed. Sharp and Origin energy don't want to know about it. Terrible customer service from both companies.

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

No idea what brand they are.... (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Solahart Eastern Suburbs
Since been installed have had 2 new inverters! I had to register the fault through Sharp and the Customer Service was terrible. For the first replacement waited few weeks to get new one and they never contacted me to confirm when it would be replaced. Better experience with the second replacement was done within 2 days. Just hoping it doesn't break again.

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
I had an incident with the inverter, with just 1 year to pass from the date of installation broke down and it took 3 months to be replaced. Overall the customer service was good, but due to the lengthy time I had to wait I changed my rating to Average.

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
should have a fail safe system to protect the unit in the event of a total power failure ,if the electricity is cut of eg. work on cables ...it fries the inverter....... sharp in all good faith installed a new one at no cost

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Eight month after instalation it broke down and had to be replaced by the Sharp Corporation.

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Hard to give a 'fantastic' rating - what does that mean anyway?
Seems to be working fine, but I don't know whether its efficency is as claimed.
Only 1 year in, still accumulating output data.

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Not specifically about the inverter, but to explain my low customer service rating

The Origin installer was rushed for time and stated that he'd need to come back at a later date to finish off some things. He never came back, I followed this up with Origin but it was a lost cause

Panel Brand

Sharp Corporation (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
We have not had a problem with the system, only regret is that we did not buy a bigger system and or a system we could extend, but that is hardlythe manufacturer's responsibility!!

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
The scroll button does not work sometimes

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Never had a problem . Very happy with inverter

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Astronergy (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

DPR Network
I had one problem with the fuses that put my solar system out of action for 1 week.

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
Seems to perform well. Easily readable output performance. Reliability still good.

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
How do I rate an inverter?? To the consumer, it either works or it doesn't. All I can say is that it works, has not broken down, does not make any humming, whistling, or other noises. It works, if that means it good, then rating "good"

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sanyo

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
I have even seen it generate more power then the panels and inverter rating.

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Mage Solar

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
I have a problem with the inverter going into a fault mode if the grid voltage exceeds 255V, which in this area it does from time to time.



Ausgrid claim they can supply up to 240V +10% legally but Origin have sent me some data which states that the maximum is 240V + 6% (or 230V + 10% in some areas). I'm still trying to resolve this but have not yet gone back to Ozgrid with this new data for their comments.

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
part of the blue display no longer works properly which means a little guess work is required if I want to read it. There is a second smaller display from which I can read off information so I have not try to get this fault fixed.

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
first inverter failed miserably. new one is fine so far (9 months) first one lasted 3 months.rndissapointed it took 6 weeks to get new one installed lost a lot of money in generated power over that timern

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

Under $3000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
all good

Panel Brand

Sharp

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Origin Energy
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