Was Your DEYE Shut Down?

[50ShadesOfDirt]

For me, these episodes will add another entry to my research list (before buying an inverter):
- visible support website (not just an email address)
- all docs (user guide, datasheets, warranty, return policies) available online and downloadable
- warranty period longer than 1-year (needs to be 3-, 5-, or even longer, for quality components)
- no "dealer-only" access methods/requirements (dealer-only code, dealer/manufacturer "setup", etc)
and now, I'm adding:
- no *required* dongle (wifi), bluetooth (phone app), cloud acct/login, etc.

That last one, once we figure out that an inverter requires OTA updates, and given that firmware is really just software, the door is now opened for things to go both ways (your data to them, their "f'ing with you" controls & potential bricks to your inverter).

As other threads have covered, if I can't isolate inverter (router, dns, etc.) from all these shenanigans, I can't buy it ...

Will have to stick with the component approach, and old-school LF inverters ... when my Magnum finally dies, years past its warranty, with no hint of "solar-gate" activity.

AIO's in general (all electronics approach) and their firmware (all software approach) and their policies (sales, controls, procedures) ... put too much control in their hands, and not in mine where it belongs.

I had to shut microsoft control efforts down, to regain control over my desktop/laptop, and I'll have to do something similar now with inverters ...

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

Seems like at this point, Deye should have said and done "This inverter will shut down 12/31/24, US contact Sol-Ark"

Turning them BACK on NOW until then would probably constitute a legal admission of guilt.

 

[OutlawSolar]

Look at what this has accomplished, if only popping up on a couple inverters.

Everyone is paranoid.
A couple well known names are smeared.
The request for code could simply be how it is presented, with no code available (or a code could be offered outside channels for a price.)

NotPetya popped up a message like typical ransomware, but didn't actually offer a way out.

It could be a swatting, could be a hack for fun, could be by one or another party simply to smear others.

The screenshot saying SolArk offers a way to help Deye owners is ... interesting.
My google for recent SolArk Deye still returns little to nothing.
Sol-Ark.com is offline at least at this moment, can't check there. 503 Service Unavailable

What? The website got shut down too?​

​

Service Unavailable​

The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.

Additionally, a 503 Service Unavailable error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

 

[kommando]

What? The website got shut down too?​

​

Service Unavailable​

The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.

Additionally, a 503 Service Unavailable error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

I get same at https://www.sol-ark.com/

 

[Crowz]

I bet someone got pissed at sol-ark and attacked them.

 

[Crowz]

I posted this in the other thread but figured I'd drop it in here too :

If the unit still "works" with whatever settings it had before the bricking screen and is just uncontrollable thru the screen then someone needs to try using solar assistant with the factory dongle removed of course and see what happens. It may be usable via solar assistant.

 

[42OhmsPA]

I bet someone got pissed at sol-ark and attacked them.

Not laughing at you, laughing because that would be frickin funny.

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

I bet someone got pissed at sol-ark and attacked them.

DEYE shut their website. lol

"This website unavailable - in US pls contact Deye"

 

[SparkyJJO]

Whoever called that shot to remotely brick someone's inverter (even if it was only a couple of them) was incredibly stupid and created a huge PR nightmare for anyone remotely connected to them.

 

[Crowz]

The main page is down but if you go to https://shop.sol-ark.com/rapid-shutdown/ its up there so I guess they are in defense mode?

Same ip address for the shop site and the www site.

 

[aussiesam]

Look at what this has accomplished, if only popping up on a couple inverters.

Everyone is paranoid.
A couple well known names are smeared.
The request for code could simply be how it is presented, with no code available (or a code could be offered outside channels for a price.)

Has anyone tried 12345?

 

[ricardocello]

Has anyone tried 12345?

4

Post in thread 'CHINA kills all non Sol-Ark branded DEYE unit in the USA this morning.'

Nov 15, 2024

Well...on Facebook. Not the same pic as the original on the first post.
View attachment 256180

Reactived the old book (wow I don't miss it) and found these posts in the comments I found interesting

Would be funny if those codes worked.


Also lots of posts about using a VPN.

(Off to browse the marketplace for cells and panel racking...)

• 42OhmsPA

• 

 

[SolarPowerSimon]

Good day everyone, my name is Simon McLean and I work as VP of Marketing at Sol-Ark. I have the following response to the reports which came up over the week-end.

Sol-Ark has learned of the situation caused by the unauthorized sales of Deye-branded inverters within Puerto Rico and the USA. Though Sol-Ark has no control over Deye’s actions, we recognize that the messaging conveyed through the Deye-branded inverter’s screen suggests Sol-Ark can provide warranty or service for these cases, which we cannot. Though we are not responsible for Deye-branded inverters or any inverters that are not branded and sold by Sol-Ark or through an authorized Sol-Ark distributor or reseller, Sol-Ark has determined to offer a possible solution to those consumer households that have purchased Deye-branded inverters.

Sol-Ark’s mission, as a veteran-owned company created 12 years ago, is to enable the most reliable, innovative, and affordable energy storage solutions to power families and businesses. Because of this mission and the direct effect that Deye’s actions may have on individual families, for the period from November 15, 2024 through December 31, 2024, Sol-Ark will permit each consumer household that has installed a Deye-branded inverter and has had that inverter’s functions disabled by Deye, to purchase a new Sol-Ark inverter of equivalent performance at a substantially discounted price. If you purchase a Sol-Ark inverter under this limited program, Sol-Ark will pay to have the Sol-Ark unit shipped to your address in Puerto Rico. Sol-Ark will not make this offer available to any person after December 31, 2024. The offer is limited to consumer households and is not being made available to commercial entities or for installation at commercial facilities (only residential locations). Sol-Ark will not be responsible, and will not pay, for any costs related to installation of the Sol-Ark inverter, removal of any Deye inverter or for any damage that may have been caused by the Deye inverter or Deye’s actions.

To take advantage of this offer, the homeowner should take a photo of the serial number and model number of their Deye inverter and then contact Adriana Navarro of Sol-Ark at +1 (214) 919-1632 to initiate the process during normal business hours between 8 AM and 5 PM Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday. Sol-Ark will retain the full right and discretion to make final determinations regarding the availability of this program and the terms under which it operates.

 

[timselectric]

And now, we have the second part of the plan.

 

[Aussie]

Good day everyone, my name is Simon McLean and I work as VP of Marketing at Sol-Ark. I have the following response to the reports which came up over the week-end.

Sol-Ark has learned of the situation caused by the unauthorized sales of Deye-branded inverters within Puerto Rico and the USA. Though Sol-Ark has no control over Deye’s actions, we recognize that the messaging conveyed through the Deye-branded inverter’s screen suggests Sol-Ark can provide warranty or service for these cases, which we cannot. Though we are not responsible for Deye-branded inverters or any inverters that are not branded and sold by Sol-Ark or through an authorized Sol-Ark distributor or reseller, Sol-Ark has determined to offer a possible solution to those consumer households that have purchased Deye-branded inverters.

Sol-Ark’s mission, as a veteran-owned company created 12 years ago, is to enable the most reliable, innovative, and affordable energy storage solutions to power families and businesses. Because of this mission and the direct effect that Deye’s actions may have on individual families, for the period from November 15, 2024 through December 31, 2024, Sol-Ark will permit each consumer household that has installed a Deye-branded inverter and has had that inverter’s functions disabled by Deye, to purchase a new Sol-Ark inverter of equivalent performance at a substantially discounted price. If you purchase a Sol-Ark inverter under this limited program, Sol-Ark will pay to have the Sol-Ark unit shipped to your address in Puerto Rico. Sol-Ark will not make this offer available to any person after December 31, 2024. The offer is limited to consumer households and is not being made available to commercial entities or for installation at commercial facilities (only residential locations). Sol-Ark will not be responsible, and will not pay, for any costs related to installation of the Sol-Ark inverter, removal of any Deye inverter or for any damage that may have been caused by the Deye inverter or Deye’s actions.

To take advantage of this offer, the homeowner should take a photo of the serial number and model number of their Deye inverter and then contact Adriana Navarro of Sol-Ark at +1 (214) 919-1632 to initiate the process during normal business hours between 8 AM and 5 PM Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday. Sol-Ark will retain the full right and discretion to make final determinations regarding the availability of this program and the terms under which it operates.

Why don't you say WHAT the price is??

 

[Mattb4]

Good day everyone, my name is Simon McLean and I work as VP of Marketing at Sol-Ark. I have the following response to the reports which came up over the week-end.

...

Marketing BS. Instead of trying to up sell your product as a "fix" you should either be entirely distancing yourself under no equivalent terms to what happened or acknowledge you are a bunch of nasty cutthroats that caused it.

You just lost whatever leeway I was willing to give until the facts were in evidence.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Why don't you say WHAT the price is??

Because it's still absurdly high.

 

[chicagoandy]

What's shitty companies.
I was never a fan of EG4 inverter. I now so appreciative that EG4 is a good alternative.
I hope more good inverters soon be introduced.

I would think the lesson here is that any US firm that is simply rebadging foreign-made components exists 100% at the whim of that third-party.

That definitely includes EG4.

 

[aussiesam]

Why don't you say WHAT the price is??

lol, because you cannot add any discount to $7099 that would make it competitive.

 

[teal95]

But EG4 isn't charging 3x the price of the other badges on the same equipment.

 

[Hedges]

Sol-Ark has learned of the situation caused by the unauthorized sales of Deye-branded inverters within Puerto Rico and the USA. Though Sol-Ark has no control over Deye’s actions, we recognize that the messaging conveyed through the Deye-branded inverter’s screen suggests Sol-Ark can provide warranty or service for these cases, which we cannot. Though we are not responsible for Deye-branded inverters or any inverters that are not branded and sold by Sol-Ark or through an authorized Sol-Ark distributor or reseller,

This situation was not caused by unauthorized sales of inverters, or by someone buying an overseas inverter and having it shipped here.

It was caused by a software push that turned off the inverters.

Sol-Ark may have a claim against Deye if another distributor sold to a US or PR consumer, or perhaps Sol-Ark can compel Deye to take action against those distributors (I'm no expert on contract law.)

Certainly Sol-Ark has no claim against consumers, who did not enter into such a contract.

Sol-Ark is not responsible for other brand inverters, as you say.

If Deye just bricked consumers' inverters, did Sol-Ark have anything to do with that (beyond having an exclusive distributor relationship with Deye)?

You say Sol-Ark has no control over Deye's actions. You have NOT declared whether or not Sol-Ark told Deye to do this. We are all waiting to hear such a declaration from Sol-Ark.

(We do find it unlikely Deye suddenly decided to disable these inverters of their own volition, therefore the question directed to you.)

 

[MarVerde]

Good day everyone, my name is Simon McLean and I work as VP of Marketing at Sol-Ark. I have the following response to the reports which came up over the week-end.

Sol-Ark has learned of the situation caused by the unauthorized sales of Deye-branded inverters within Puerto Rico and the USA. Though Sol-Ark has no control over Deye’s actions, we recognize that the messaging conveyed through the Deye-branded inverter’s screen suggests Sol-Ark can provide warranty or service for these cases, which we cannot. Though we are not responsible for Deye-branded inverters or any inverters that are not branded and sold by Sol-Ark or through an authorized Sol-Ark distributor or reseller, Sol-Ark has determined to offer a possible solution to those consumer households that have purchased Deye-branded inverters.

Sol-Ark’s mission, as a veteran-owned company created 12 years ago, is to enable the most reliable, innovative, and affordable energy storage solutions to power families and businesses. Because of this mission and the direct effect that Deye’s actions may have on individual families, for the period from November 15, 2024 through December 31, 2024, Sol-Ark will permit each consumer household that has installed a Deye-branded inverter and has had that inverter’s functions disabled by Deye, to purchase a new Sol-Ark inverter of equivalent performance at a substantially discounted price. If you purchase a Sol-Ark inverter under this limited program, Sol-Ark will pay to have the Sol-Ark unit shipped to your address in Puerto Rico. Sol-Ark will not make this offer available to any person after December 31, 2024. The offer is limited to consumer households and is not being made available to commercial entities or for installation at commercial facilities (only residential locations). Sol-Ark will not be responsible, and will not pay, for any costs related to installation of the Sol-Ark inverter, removal of any Deye inverter or for any damage that may have been caused by the Deye inverter or Deye’s actions.

To take advantage of this offer, the homeowner should take a photo of the serial number and model number of their Deye inverter and then contact Adriana Navarro of Sol-Ark at +1 (214) 919-1632 to initiate the process during normal business hours between 8 AM and 5 PM Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday. Sol-Ark will retain the full right and discretion to make final determinations regarding the availability of this program and the terms under which it operates.

Hi, I am in Costa Rica and my inverter is shout down too, Deye tells me you as SolArk are responsible for this, have a normal EU version because I don’t need split phase, SolArk service is not answering and Deye tells me you have done it. Will not buy anymore from you or Deye in the future, and think a lot of other people too, because you are not anymore trustful. Only lies from both sides.

 

[OutlawSolar]

Hi, I am in Costa Rica and my inverter is shout down too, Deye tells me you as SolArk are responsible for this, have a normal EU version because I don’t need split phase, SolArk service is not answering and Deye tells me you have done it. Will not buy anymore from you or Deye in the future, and think a lot of other people too, because you are not anymore trustful. Only lies from both sides.

Did Deye tell you why they wouldn't or couldn't give you the access code?

 

[MarVerde]

Did Deye tell you why they wouldn't or couldn't give you the access code?

They tell me SolArc is responsible for US and central america

 

[JBoffgrid2022]

@FilterGuy

Sol-Ark manufacturer reportedly disables all Deye inverters in the US

Seemingly, at the drop of a hat the morning of Friday, Nov 15th, Deye-branded inverters across the US were intentionally bricked.

solarboi.com

Have you seen this? It almost looks like this entire issue could be chalked up to "unauthorized sales" to US customers. I'm sure someone has already seen this post on "Solarboi's" site.