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SolarEdge•Home Battery

Analysis by Marcus & Team

SolarEdge Home Battery Charging from Grid Unexpectedly

Diagnose why your SolarEdge Home Battery is charging from the grid at night, even without Storm Watch. Expert troubleshooting steps for residential hybrid inverter systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

•What is the typical lifespan of a SolarEdge Home Battery?

The typical lifespan of a SolarEdge Home Battery is 10 years or more, depending on usage patterns, environmental conditions, and maintenance practices. The warranty typically covers a certain number of cycles or a specific time period.

•How do I check the SOC and SOH of my SolarEdge Home Battery?

The SOC (State of Charge) and SOH (State of Health) of your SolarEdge Home Battery can be viewed in the SolarEdge monitoring portal or app. The SOH provides an indication of the battery's remaining capacity compared to its original capacity.

•What are the common causes of battery degradation in residential energy storage systems?

Common causes of battery degradation include high operating temperatures, frequent deep discharges, overcharging, and age. Proper thermal management and adherence to manufacturer's recommendations can help extend battery life.

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Marcus leads the technical research department at Storage Faults. Together with a team of systems analysts, he specializes in translating complex solar storage error codes into actionable diagnostic steps for the US market.

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Safety Warning:

SolarEdge Home Battery systems operate with high DC voltages (up to 600V+). Only qualified electricians should perform diagnostic or repair work. Always disconnect the AC and DC disconnects before working on the system. Follow NEC guidelines for arc flash protection and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including voltage-rated gloves and safety glasses. Verify system rapid shutdown functionality per NEC 2017/2020 before commencing any work.

Recommended Action:

1

Verify time-of-use (TOU) settings in the SolarEdge monitoring portal or inverter configuration using the SolarEdge SetApp (installer level access required). Ensure no scheduled charging windows are active during the observed charging period.
2

Check the battery's state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) via the monitoring portal. A significantly degraded SOH might indicate the need for battery replacement or a specific maintenance cycle.
3

Inspect the inverter's event log for any error codes or warnings related to battery charging, grid communication, or current sensor faults. Document any errors.
4

Perform a complete system shutdown and restart following the manufacturer's recommended procedure. This may require disconnecting the AC and DC disconnects, and waiting several minutes before powering the system back up. Refer to the SolarEdge system manual for specific steps and safety precautions. Qualified electrician mandatory.
5

Use a calibrated clamp meter to measure the current flowing into and out of the battery during the unexpected charging period. Compare these readings to the values reported by the inverter's monitoring system. Discrepancies may indicate a faulty current sensor. NEC 705.3 requires properly sized and rated conductors.
6

Check for firmware updates for the inverter and battery management system. Outdated firmware can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Firmware updates must be performed by qualified personnel according to SolarEdge procedures.
7

If the issue persists, contact SolarEdge technical support for further assistance. Provide them with the event log, battery SOC/SOH data, and current measurements.

Technical Background:

The SolarEdge hybrid inverter system manages power flow between solar panels, the Home Battery, the grid, and household loads. The system prioritizes solar energy for self-consumption and battery charging. Excess solar energy is exported to the grid. Battery charging from the grid typically occurs during Storm Watch events (weather forecast driven), scheduled charging windows (time-of-use optimization), or during grid outages when operating in backup mode. The inverter uses current sensors, voltage sensors, and sophisticated algorithms to control the DC-DC converter for battery charging and discharging, as well as the DC-AC inverter for grid interaction. Anti-islanding protection ensures the system disconnects from the grid during outages to prevent backfeeding.

Observed Symptoms:

The SolarEdge Home Battery is observed charging from the grid at 2:00 AM without an active Storm Watch or other scheduled charging event. The homeowner reports no known grid outages or changes to system settings.

Expert Tip:

Access the inverter's service menu (consult the system manual for the key combination – usually requires pressing specific buttons in a sequence) to view detailed battery parameters, including cell voltages, temperatures, and charging/discharging currents. Compare these values to the manufacturer's specifications to identify any anomalies.

Why This Happens:

Incorrect time-of-use (TOU) settings in the SolarEdge monitoring portal or inverter configuration.
A software glitch in the inverter's battery management system (BMS) or charging algorithm.
Communication issue between the inverter and the SolarEdge cloud, causing incorrect charging commands.
Low state of health (SOH) of the battery, triggering maintenance charging cycles.
Ghost loads or phantom loads exceeding available solar production and battery capacity, forcing grid charging to maintain minimum SOC.
A faulty current sensor within the inverter incorrectly reporting battery state, leading to unnecessary grid charging.

Prevention:

Regularly monitor the SolarEdge monitoring portal for any unusual behavior or error messages.
Keep the inverter and battery firmware up to date.
Periodically perform a battery capacity test to assess the battery's state of health (SOH).
Inspect the inverter and battery enclosures for any signs of damage or corrosion. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Calibrate the BMS according to the manufacturer's recommendations.