Sigenergy has spent the year talking big. Fast growth. Innovative tech. A cheer squad of consumers and industry commentators that treats any doubt as a personal slight. That mood set the stage for what we are seeing now.
Burnt plugs. Throttled inverters. Real faults in real homes. To their credit, Sigenergy is swapping out the affected units and paying installers a reasonable rate to do the work. That part is solid.
Unfortunately, this is the worst time of the year to pull installers off new jobs. Everyone is flat out. The phones never stop. Pulling crews away to replace hardware means real money lost and real stress added. It is a huge hit in what is one of the busiest months before the rebates reduce on January 1.
In one incident, a Sigenergy inverter actually caught fire – the blue residue is fire extinguisher powder, but the blackening shows where flames emanated from the fan grille.
Open Talk Is Not The Enemy
There is more. Allegedly deleting posts in company-run Facebook groups when people ask about serious issues is unacceptable if true. The quickest way to wreck trust is to act like open talk is the enemy. If the gear is good and the company proactive, it can stand up to questions.
And blaming installers is not cool either. Yes, some issues will always come back to poor work. But hardware makers have a duty to build parts that make good work easy and bad work hard. If a plug is such that it begs for a tightly bent cable, I don’t think that is only on the installer. Clear design helps everyone.
It Didn’t Have To Be This Way
I have to wonder if this issue would have been picked up and resolved sooner if the mood around the brand was more ears-open rather than chest-out.
Sigenergy is doing the right thing by the consumer, and that’s to be commended. But the lesson is simple. Openness beats spin. Listening early beats scrambling late. And treating the trade with respect is worth more than any launch event or flying installers to China.
We all want SigEnergy to prosper with its great value, innovative, high-power stackable tech. Let’s hope that feedback from seasoned professionals is welcomed by both Sigenergy and its vocal fan base going forward. Those old hands were trying to help before the plugs got hot.
Phase Shift is a weekly opinion column by SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock. Subscribe to SolarQuotes’ free newsletter to get it emailed to your inbox each week along with our other home electrification coverage.
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Yes, the Sigenergy fan boys are bad, parroting the line “it is all the fault of all those installers”
But they are not as bad as Tesla fan boys whenever someone casts doubt on the empire of electric cheesus..
The moral of the story is… never buy 1st gen gear. You are effectively a beta tester. I always wait till at least the 2nd preferably 3rd generation gear hits the market where the bugs in design and manufacture are resolved from field and in house experience. Its why U walked straught past this company when considering my house instal. Buyer beware!
Everything in this day and age should be plug and play not relying the skill of the installer to overcome instal and commissiining issues wether hardware or software.
yeah, if you are an “early adopter” you know you are taking on an element of risk, but most people are not in that category, they want it installed, they want it to work, they certainly dont want to find out someone has derated their system without telling them.
Going with a solid reputation for performance in the market is the way to go for most peopel.
If everyone adopted that approach, new products would never be brought to market. Someone has to take a few risks, and go first. Proven track track records, rely on some willing to give it a go.
Yes indeed your correct being a “beta tester” is your choice to advance the products of a startup. Just don’t complain about it when it fails to perform and takes time to fix under warranty if ever if they go broke I did a lot of research to walk away from this mob when an Aus Qld based electricians where taken on a tour of the factory.
Although very impressed with the tech not so much the build quality. From memory they said it did not meet Aus wiring standards nor was some parts inside particularly corrosion resistant to much of Aus coastal conditions and some other minor issues like plastic flimsy covers/strips. They said they would wait for the 2nd gen equipment to rollout. To a typical electrical installer some of this is not evident as its under the hood so to speak.
The final nail in the coffin is they have failed to list on the stock exchange. I take it investors are scared to invest and so cashflow maybe an issue for the startup.
+1
As one with a derated 12 kW SP unit I feel for my installer who did a great job.
How many of these issues are we talking about? Should we be worried?
I do recall MC Solar in Brisbane commenting about some of their plugs being sub-standard as well as the wiring tidiness in general and they were dismissed by Sigenergy when I enquired and the reason cited was they were sour grapes as they didn’t get full distribution exclusivity after their trip to China…Mark’s comment did stop me from getting a Sigenergy unit and I am glad I did…now seeking a Fox Ess, just haven’t found the right installer yet…
If this is true, this is extremely unprofessional conduct from Sigenergy
But Fox ESS is worse than Sigenergy. That’s like being scared off Kia and buying a Xpeng.
Finn – unsure if we’re allowed to post links to other places here – but if you want to get a gauge of the general Sig userbase you could take a look at the (unfiltered) Whirlpool Sigenergy Forum Thread here: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/374p81k1
Unlike the very heavily moderated Sigenergy End Users – Australia & NZ Facebook Group (which is actually created, owned and tightly managed by Sig Australia and NOT users) the Whirlpool Forum is lets say less restrictive on user discussion
The thread has been in general positive on Sig esp the first 300 pages but has literally exploded recently with many new users joining to perhaps vent their frustrations on being repeatedly blocked from sharing their experiences on Sig’s Facebook group and of course to discuss the latest “issue” at hand. The discussion is still fairly optimistic on Sig with the one caveat being essentially what you describe above (the complete lack of comms from Sig, and sanitisation of any commentary)
… and lest people think the Whirlpool thread is just a rant fest – let me be clear that it isn’t (I ran out of characters to include it in the original post :)) – the majority of it is useful end user discussion, questions and helpful advice and answers, sharing and information, digging into sometimes esoteric detail :), ideas and workarounds for issues or lack of knowledge some users face, and yes actual problems, complaints and frustrations – you get a view of the good and the bad across the spectrum as it should be
I have had a Sig system since early this year and personally I think it’s amazing – the capabilities and features are fantastic – I enjoy my now ~$0 monthly electricity bills (including keeping 2 EV’s charged) – yes I have a derated 10kW SP EC so that’s disappointing – but personally I prefer their safety first approach of derating the EC’s and actually providing a fix – I just hate the complete silence from Sig and the attempt to PR manage, obfuscate, hide and spin
So Sigenergy have contacted you directly and told you they have derated your system and why?
Asking because no one has actually said that has occurred.
I havn’t been contacted at all – like I said “I just hate the complete silence from Sig” – some people apparently have been contacted (in the mySigen app) with a set message regarding the issue (which I’ve seen) – I’m not one of them however
Though in all those cases I’m aware of, it was well after the fact – i.e. days after everyone was derated (which presumably left many people thinking their system was broken in some way if they noticed it wasn’t running at full speed – either charging from grid or AC coupled solar, or discharging to the home, grid or AC EVSE)
cheers – that seems to be the theme, which is the most worrying part of it!.
Interfering with people’s property without telling them, (derating it) but also not telling them there is a risk with the system.
I received official notification from Sigenergy on the morning of 13 November stating that my system was being monitored, temporarily derated and I will be getting a replacement energy controller plus 2 years added to the 10 year warranty. My installer also confirmed two days ago they will be replacing it ASAP.
Aside from Sigenergy’s poor comms culture, their actions are what matters most in the end. I may consider adding a bidirectional DC charger as part of the replacement program.
cheers Alex, sounds like they are at least communicating now.
Also been contacted directly. Confirmed the unit is being replaced asap. Still working fine at the moment, just throttled to 8kw.
Not the end of the world, and sig replacing the inverter and giving us all an extra 2 years warranty is great.
Should have done better with communication
Thanks Rodney for the link.
My Sig install is due next week.
My questions to my installer are:
1. Even if you install 100% in accordance with SIG’s requirements, and thereby avoid breach of my warranty, will the solar system be commissioned as safe to use ?
2. Given SIG’s undertaking to replace all installed 8/10/12kW inverters (in the world or just Australia? ) and to extend the 10yr warranty to 12yrs starting from the replacement date, will you come back to replace the 10kW inverter once SIG has imported replacements or will separate contractors be tasked to do so? If latter who repairs what next?
3. Will the inverter be throttled by SIG until it is replaced?
I know I am not the only one wondering whether SIG will prioritise new or existing customers, in their NOT A RECALL response. SIGs reluctance to own their mistakes (whether PR or more) only gives room to wonder whether repaired or “updated” units will be used in the roll out of replacement inverters
There are photos of the new updated version already being installed out there and the limits removed so you probably won’t get the old version now.
I was notified by Sigenergy on 10/11/25 after logging a ticket on the weekend. My installer contacted me a couple of days later letting me know that they will be replacing it soon. My AC plug is not running hot at all when outputting at 8kW so not concerned when that happens.
Certainly appears they are on top of this issue, but also agree they need to improve communications.
My installer tells me yesterday he was told he can’t install the sig battery system tomorrow. Has to wait for the replacement inverter to be available – the swap out is now only for those already installed. The Oz authorities may be sick of this Clayton’s recall.
Does that mean 10yr warranty or 12? Probably 10!
I see the logic but again it’s like pulling teeth finding out any details. What alternative to hurry up and wait.
Whispr Powerplus 7. Looking @ vids etc now.
Solarquotes don’t have it in the battery comparison tabled updated 18/11/25 but was reviewed by Finn (how long ago?) 5 star but only 16 reviews – 7/16 with no comment just stars.
Jump out of the fire into …??
Hi David,
PowerPlus are a great company to deal with and are in fact the choice of “industry legend” Nigel Morris for his own house. Not the all singing and dancing of Sig but I don’t think you could go far wrong with them for the support they offer.
Thanks Anthony.
Good to know! Note they are in the Solarquotes under PowerPlus – I was looking for whispr🤦♂️
The Clayton’s product recall is now real.
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/search-consumer-product-recalls/sigenstor-ec-80100120kw-sp-au-energy-controllers
Guess CEC got tired of Sig selling inverters that they promised to replace. Not logical huh 🫰
You’re between a rock and a hard place.
I’d certainly be tempted to try to make sure my unit wasn’t connected to the interweb by the installer,( unless they derate them before supplying them to installers.) to stop it being immediately derated the second it connected .
Because i mean after all, they are assuring us it is all the big bad installers fault, there is nothing wrong with their unit at all, and stopping them derating the system should be perfectly fine in that case!
Honestly i would probably be ringing the installer and telling them thanks but no thanks unless they can supply another product.
If not connected to the internet, Sigen systems go into “Safe Operation Mode” after 90 days. Among the changes this causes is reduced power output to 70% of the nominal rating, and only charging batteries to 90% and discharging down to 10%
Apparently the $500 reimbursement is confined to Sig materials and not a cash payment
You have to remember the Chinese culture of saving face, especially a big or growing company, which is heavily watched by the ‘establishment’ there.
No being wrong, no backing down, everything has to be positive.
This retired telecommunications equipment designer is usually inclined to suspect corporate management, focussed on their bonuses, dependent on sales figures rather than customer service.
In my 30 years, the production engineers in the factory were not slow to point out where improvements could be made in the equipment design, even if primarily for manufacturability and minimal rework rate. Admittedly, our customer was Telstra, so customer dissatisfaction always had to be remedied yesterday. No dodging there.
My label for it is “Managerism” – management for optics, not substance, by technical ignoramuses and bean counters, tending to deafness to their experts and unpleasant customer feedback not slavishly supportive of the quarterly sales projections.
Decades back, designers were left alone, as digital tech was a black art, too scary & weird for managers to dare to intrude. But over decades, interference grew like mould on a damp wall, insidiously creeping. How to knock it back?
Your right on the money, as a retired power industry engineer, I have seen the same issues. MBA executives are expert spin merchants with slopped shoulders so nothing sticks to them. They are quick to blame, deflect, or whatever it takes to protect themselves and coverup a mess generally caused by them because they interfered in due process of design or rollout of the product to meet their KPIs and therefore bonuses. The fixs are usually quick as buts are on the line but sometimes the product is so stuffed it cannot be fully salvaged.
Here’s the message I received regarding the replacement (image are too long to post with comment character limit):
https://i.imgur.com/eoaflQd.png
Yeah, it isn’t our product at fault, it is the big bad installer doing a faulty install of the AC plug,
Silly me – it obviously will cost far less to replace the entire inverter rather than replace the “badly installed” AC plug we are blaming for the problem.
For a significant long term investment like this, such behaviour matters in the decision making especially for a new player. If I decide to proceed next year, it’s now unlikely to be with Sigenergy even if it costs more.
Depending on whether and when you decide to proceed with getting such a system, perhaps, Goodwe and other manufacturers will have their single phase stackable all in one systems available in Australia, thence, perhaps, Solar Quotes would have a comparison table web page for stackable all in one systems, like it does for the BESS’s and the hybrid inverters that are separate (as opposed to the stackable all in one systems) components, so that you could then investigate what is available, and, compared in such a table, at the applicable time.
I am looking forward to seeing the Solar Quotes comparison table web page for stackable all in one systems, updated as more such systems become available in Australia.
What makes you think 500kgs stacks of batteries are a good idea?
No-one needs battery that big.
Stackable vs separate from the inverter takes away ability to cool it via convection entirely and thus must cool it with fans,
Also puts a hot inverter in close proximity to a battery that’s specifically impacted by temperature.
This is evident in SIGs warranty which is 20% less than the iStore / Huawei the technology it is copied from. Which did not adopt this format and remain separate.
Can’t wall mount bigger batteries which chew up precious garage real-estate for most people.
Estimated Sigenergy is spending close to 40M$ to replace the faulty inverter, good on Sig for take a bold step.
They haven’t spent it yet and it is $500 off their next purchase so the cost to them is actually less. I’d be curious as to whether this will impact their attempt for listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. If they fail their latest attempt I imagine the funds will dry up very quickly
So what else is a faulty design or poorly put together in this 1st generation gear. Buyer beware!
We too had this issue with our single phase, 10 kW inverter. We lost power late one Sunday evening (close to midnight) and coudln’t work out why.
There was a distinct smell of burning plastic in the vicinity of the inverter. And the fan(s) in the inverter were very loud.
The inverter was installed in March, 2025 and the issue occurred in August 2025. Attempted calls to our installer that evening yielded nothing.
I phoned Sigenergy early Monday morning about our loss of power.
Power was retored with the assistance of a kind neighbour (an electrician).
I finally got hold of our installer on Monday morning also. To their credit, they visited our premises later that day and diagnosed the problem as a “melted connector”.
It took around 3 weeks to get a replacement inverter. It’s been working fine ever since. But now I worry if it’s going to happen again.
Can this issue affect 6kw inverter systems?
There’s nothing “allegedly” about the censorship on the Sigenergy Facebook Group. I have had multiple post not approved when querying details on the group. Asking for answers or even just any sort of basic communications from Signenery on the process for replacing my inverter.
My installer has been met with voice mail when trying to call and there’s currently NO PLAN IN PLACE to replace my inverter.
Meanwhile I am throttled to 8kW throughput meaning for the first time since my system was installed, I have had to rely on the grid when charging my EV and running my AC at the same time overnight.