SolarMax review

SolarMax - Inverter Reviews

3.8

Based on 22 ratings

Finn's SolarMax Inverters Review & Verdict

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

SolarMax’s parent company went kaput way back in 2014, which was a shame as the Swiss firm produced some pretty good and competitively priced solar inverters.

Given the situation and the age of these units now, if you’re having trouble with your SolarMax, don’t bother about repairing it; replace it. Inverters are much cheaper these days – see inverter brands I currently recommend.

SolarMax Inverters: Pros & Cons

  • Company wound up in 2014

About SolarMax

SolarMax was a Swiss manufacturer of very good quality solar inverters that was in business a long time (~20 years) before parent company, Sputnik Engineering, filed for insolvency in 2014 after struggling with profitability over the previous few years in the face of growing competition. The company went from having a significant market share during the first decade of this century to bugger-all by the time last drinks were called.

SolarMax entered the Australian market in 2012 - so while the company was quite long-lived; its time in Australia wasn't.

Warranty Information

After Sputnik filed for insolvency, one of SolarMax's Australian distributors reportedly sought to reassure SolarMax customers they would continue to honour the 5 year warranty. But depending on which distributor supplied the inverter (there were several) dictated how warranty claims were treated. Not helping matters was one of the local distributors (Mark Group) going into administration in 2015, with those customers reportedly left high and dry.

These days, if your SolarMax inverter has died, your best bet is to buy a new one rather than attempting to get it repaired.

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SolarMax Reviews (22)

Show Most Relevant reviews from All time

  • 5 star 8
  • 4 star 8
  • 3 star 3
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 3

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System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Charged Energy QLD

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Direct Solar Wholesaler Energy Group
Errors began in first year, manufacturer went into liquidation, installation company would not replace inverter, inverter is dead in 4 years. Is still under warranty, but warranties are useless when companies will not come to inspect or replace faulty equipment.

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

4kW

Installed By

Mark Group Australia
The inverter has been running well and the system generated just under 4 Mwh's the first year, however last week it lost the Total Generation facility.
The Total Generation display now resets itself every day, and gives the same reading as the daily display. I have tried to reset everything, but to no avail.
I'm in the process now of contacting the SolarMax Service Centre to see if they can help me out on this, unless you may have some ideas.

Panel Brand

Canadian Solar Inc

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Mark Group Regional NSW
Purchased this system through Mark Group in December 2014. System worked wonderfully for 12 months, then just shut down. Device error 56 was being displayed, which turns out is a power measure error. Shut down and restart did not rectify problem so inverter needs to be replaced.

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

6kW

Installed By

Mark Group Brisbane

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Mark Group Melbourne
Our inverter is battery ready, so as soon as battery costs become cheaper we will be able to install batteries & better utilize our solar system. Using our excess power via battery would be more cost effective than sending our excess to the grid.

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

4kW

Installed By

Mark Group Regional NSW
The LED display is easy to use and practical - data is accurate

Panel Brand

Canadian Solar Inc

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Mark Group Regional NSW
I am concerned about the long term support as I have come to learn that Solarmax is no longer in business.

Panel Brand

Hareon

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

4kW

Installed By

RK Solar And Consulting NSW

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Mark Group Hervey Bay
It is on the East wall of the house (no eaves). A representative of the installing company advised us to put a cover ( awning) over it to protect from heat of direct sun. This made it more expensive but gave peace of mind.

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

4kW

Installed By

Mark Group Regional VIC

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Mark Group Australia NSW
Mark Group informed us of a recall of a defective DC isolator, which they had used. Replaced at no cost and little inconvenience.

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

2kW

Installed By

Mark Group Melbourne

Panel Brand

Qcells

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Mark Group Adelaide

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Mark Group Australia NSW
When I bought the inverter I was told it could be used with a battery system, my intent has always been to add batteries and I was upfront about this when I got the quote. I have since been told I will need an additional inverter to do this.

Panel Brand

JA Solar

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Solar Australia Newcastle

Panel Brand

Topsolar

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Park Orchards Electrical
Due to poor installation inverter and cut off switch caught fire

Panel Brand

Unknown (Other)

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Mark Group Australia NSW
Please bear in mind that my standard is "Average".

The inverter just works. According to the documentation, the output of the inverter in good conditions is 4.1. It achieves that.

Panel Brand

Can't remember (Other)

System Cost

$6,000 to $10,000

System Size

4kW

Installed By

Mark Group Melbourne

Panel Brand

Canadian Solar Inc

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

4kW

Installed By

Mark Group Australia NSW

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

3kW

Installed By

Mark Group Australia NSW

Panel Brand

Renesola

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

1.5kW

Installed By

Mark Group Brisbane
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