Warning What does this mean?
Your system is down or running degraded, but this is not an immediate safety danger. Work through the safe steps below.
Solis Inverter IGBT-OV-I Error — Causes and Safe Steps
IGBT-OV-I means your Solis inverter detected overcurrent in its IGBTs — the power transistors that convert solar DC into grid-ready AC — and shut down to protect them. Try the documented restart once. If the code comes back, your installer needs to check the PV strings and the inverter’s power stage.
What should I do first?
Two quick questions — we'll point you to the right starting point.
Is this code still showing on your inverter's display?
Is your system producing power right now?
What this code means
IGBT stands for insulated-gate bipolar transistor. These are the heavy-duty electronic switches inside your inverter that chop the DC power from your panels into AC power for your home and the grid, thousands of times per second. They are the hardest-working components in the unit: they switch fast enough to shape a smooth sine wave out of raw DC, they carry the full current your array can produce, and they are watched closely by dedicated protection circuits.
IGBT-OV-I — “over IGBT current” in Solis’s troubleshooting table — means one of those protection circuits saw more current flowing through the transistors than the design allows, and it stopped the inverter to prevent damage. Think of it as a circuit breaker for the inverter’s own power electronics: the trip itself is the protection working, not the damage happening.
Solis’s published remedy follows a clear escalation: restart the inverter first; if the fault persists, identify and remove the PV string feeding the faulty MPPT; and if it still persists, the power board itself needs attention. That sequence tells you the likely story — a transient spike is the best case, a problem on one of the DC input strings is the middle case, and a failing power stage is the worst case. The first step is homeowner-safe. The other two belong to your installer.
What is this downtime costing you?
Rough estimate while your system isn't producing. Adjust the numbers to match your setup.
≈ – kWh of lost production per day.
Estimate only — assumes ~80% real-world output vs. nameplate. Actual losses depend on weather, shading, panel direction, and your tariff.
Common causes
- A transient current spike — a momentary surge the protection circuit caught and stopped. This is the best case, and the reason the manual’s first step is a restart.
- A fault on one of the PV strings feeding an MPPT input — Solis’s own remedy specifically calls for identifying and removing the string on the faulty MPPT, which points to a string-side problem such as a damaged panel or compromised wiring.
- A failing power board — if the fault survives a restart and the strings check out, the inverter’s own power stage is suspect and the board needs professional diagnosis.
Safe steps to try
Work top to bottom, ticking off each step as you complete it. 0 of 5 done.
Is your inverter still under warranty?
Before paying for a repair, check — your installer may fix this free.
Based on typical standard warranty terms — always confirm with your warranty card or installer paperwork, as terms vary by model, region, and purchase date.
When to call an electrician
Call your solar installer if IGBT-OV-I returns after one clean restart, or if it appears regularly. Your installer needs to identify which MPPT and string is associated with the fault, test the array side, and evaluate the power board — Solis lists board-level service as the final step for a reason. Do not keep resetting an overcurrent trip: the protection is stopping the inverter for its own good, and forcing it back on risks turning a stressed component into a failed one.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is an IGBT?
An insulated-gate bipolar transistor — a fast, high-power electronic switch. Your inverter uses a set of them to convert DC from the panels into AC for the grid. They handle the full power of your system, which is why they get their own dedicated overcurrent protection.
Can I reset IGBT-OV-I myself?
Once, using the documented restart. Solis’s own first remedy is a restart, so a single attempt is both safe and sensible. If the code comes back, the manual’s remaining steps — tracing the faulty string and servicing the power board — require a qualified installer.
Will this fault damage my solar panels?
No. The inverter disconnected itself before any damage could propagate, so your panels are unaffected. The component at risk is the inverter’s own power stage, and the protection circuit did its job.
Does IGBT-OV-I mean my inverter is dying?
Not necessarily. A single transient trip that never returns is just the protection doing its job. But a recurring IGBT-OV-I means something is genuinely wrong — either on one of the DC strings or inside the power electronics — and it will not heal itself. If you notice the code follows a pattern, such as appearing every sunny midday, tell your installer the timing: it helps them identify which string or MPPT is involved. That pattern needs professional diagnosis promptly.
Need a professional?
This fault may need professional diagnosis. Contact a qualified solar electrician in your area.
Sources: meaning and troubleshooting verified against the manufacturer's documentation — Solis S6-GC3P(37.5–60)K Installation and Operation Manual, Ver 1.0 (Ginlong Technologies, 2024), Table 8.1 Troubleshooting: IGBT-OV-I — Over IGBT current; Solis Three Phase Inverter Manual 3P(215-255)K 5G ENX Ver 1.3 (ginlong.com): remedy — restart inverter; identify and remove the string to the fault MPPT.