Identify Your SolarCity Inverter and Get Support Today

SolarCity was acquired by Tesla in 2016, but millions of SolarCity-installed solar systems are still running on roofs today. If you have one, you may be wondering what inverter is actually on your wall and who is supposed to service it now. The short version: SolarCity did not make its own inverters, and your support path runs through Tesla Energy.

Quick Answer

SolarCity installed third-party inverters, most commonly SolarEdge string inverters with power optimizers, plus Delta, Fronius, and ABB (Power-One) units depending on the era and region. Identify yours from the label on the unit or your original install paperwork. For service today, contact Tesla Energy support; the inverter manufacturer’s own support (for example SolarEdge) can also often diagnose your unit remotely.

Which inverters SolarCity installed

• SolarEdge: the dominant choice. SolarCity was SolarEdge’s largest customer around 2015, and most SolarCity systems pair a SolarEdge string inverter (commonly the SE7600H class) with a power optimizer under each panel.
• Delta: used on many installs, particularly in certain regions and years.
• Fronius and ABB (Power-One): appeared on some SolarCity systems depending on timing and local installer practices.
• Later, Tesla confirmed plans to move new installs to its own Tesla Solar Inverter, so systems installed after roughly 2020 may carry Tesla-branded hardware instead.

How to identify your inverter

1. Read the label: the brand and model are printed on a sticker on the inverter itself, usually mounted near your main electrical panel or on an exterior wall.
2. Check your paperwork: the original SolarCity install packet lists the equipment schedule.
3. Look for optimizers: small boxes under each panel strongly indicate a SolarEdge system.
4. Check the Tesla app: equipment details for your system are listed in the app.

Getting support today

• Tesla Energy support is your first call. Tesla honors legacy SolarCity agreements and can dispatch service for systems under lease, PPA, or warranty.
• The inverter manufacturer’s support is your second path. SolarEdge, for example, can often remote-diagnose an inverter through its monitoring connection and has helped owners even when the original installer is long gone.
• Monitoring access: production data flows through the Tesla app. Some owners have also obtained direct monitoring accounts with the inverter manufacturer for more detailed data.

What changed after Tesla bought SolarCity

Tesla acquired SolarCity in late 2016 and folded its operations into Tesla Energy. For owners, the practical effects were: service and billing moved to Tesla Energy; the old SolarCity monitoring app and web portal were retired in favor of the Tesla app; and new installations gradually switched from third-party inverters to Tesla’s own Solar Inverter. Your original contract terms, including lease and PPA pricing, carried over. What did not change is the hardware on your wall: the inverter installed in 2014 or 2017 is still whatever the crew mounted that day, which is why identifying the actual unit matters more than the SolarCity branding on your contract.

If you have not already done so, make sure your system is registered in the Tesla app under your Tesla account. Owners who never migrated sometimes find monitoring stuck on defunct SolarCity credentials. Tesla support can link the system to your account if you provide the service address and legacy account details.

A note for lease and PPA customers

If you lease your system or pay per kWh under a power purchase agreement, maintenance obligations sit with Tesla. Do not hire an independent company for warranty-covered work without checking with Tesla first, or you may complicate your coverage.

When to Call a Professional

Call Tesla Energy support for any fault code, a dead inverter, repeated shutdowns, or monitoring that has gone dark. Never open the inverter or touch DC wiring; that is work for the service technician. If you own the system outright and need AC-side electrical work, use a licensed solar electrician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did SolarCity manufacture its own inverters?

No. SolarCity was an installer and financier; the inverters on SolarCity systems were made by companies like SolarEdge, Delta, Fronius, and ABB.

My SolarCity system has a SolarEdge inverter. Who do I call first?

Tesla Energy support first, since they hold your service agreement. SolarEdge support can also remote-diagnose the hardware if needed.

Can I replace my old inverter with a different brand?

On leased or PPA systems, talk to Tesla before changing anything. If you own the system, any licensed solar installer can advise on compatible replacements, but check monitoring and warranty implications first.

Is my SolarCity warranty still valid?

Tesla honors legacy SolarCity agreements, and the inverter manufacturer’s own warranty applies per its terms. Have your install date and the inverter’s serial number ready when you call.

Related Error Codes

• Inverter offline / not reporting
• No solar production

Sources: PV Tech reporting on Tesla/SolarCity inverter supply (SolarEdge as largest customer) and Tesla’s move to own-brand inverters; Tesla Motors Club owner reports on SolarCity-era hardware.