The Fronius GEN24 inverter series has been a popular choice for solar energy systems since early 2021. However, some users, especially in warmer climates like South-East Queensland, have faced specific issues. These include problems with the inverter’s cooling fan and Wi-Fi connectivity. At SolarThoughts®, we’ve investigated how these challenges occur and what solutions exist for homeowners in the Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast regions.
The Fronius GEN24 Fan Issue Explained
For the past year, some GEN24 units have shown issues with their cooling fans. The GEN24 series uses an active cooling system with a fan placed at the front of the inverter. This design is crucial for keeping the inverter cool, especially when it produces a lot of power or when ambient temperatures are high.
The main issue uncovered relates to how the fan is constructed. A plastic ring around the fan blades created a gap where small creatures—such as geckos—could become trapped. Once trapped, the fan would stop spinning, compromising the cooling function.
Why a Stuck Fan is a Problem
When the fan fails to spin, the inverter loses its main way to dissipate heat. Without adequate cooling, internal temperatures rise, and the inverter will derate (reduce its power output) to protect itself.
While the inverter design includes protective features, this situation means your solar system may not perform at full capacity when it matters most.
A Problem Mostly for Queensland Solar Systems
This fan issue is more likely to occur in warmer, humid environments like Queensland—especially the Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast area—because geckos and other small pests are more common in those climates. Evidence from forums showed Queensland owners reporting this exact scenario.
Fronius’ Quick Fan-Design Fix
Once the fan blocking issue was identified, Fronius developed a revised design. The engineering team removed the plastic ring around the fan blades to eliminate the gap where pests could get trapped.
Benefits of the New Fan Design
- No more stuck geckos: The design removes the specific gap that was the root of the problem.
- Quieter operation: With the elimination of the plastic ring, airflow is improved, reducing fan noise.
- Better cooling efficiency: The redesign improves how the fan circulates and exhausts air, enhancing thermal performance.
These changes apply to all new GEN24 units produced from approximately September onwards.
Fan Manufacturing Delays & Rollout Update
Due to the requirement for tooling changes, testing, and supplier coordination, the new fans took time to reach full-scale rollout. Fortunately, new units now incorporate the redesign.
What Happens to Existing Solar Systems?
If your GEN24 inverter was installed before the redesign, you may be concerned about potential fan blockage and overheating risk. Fronius supports legacy systems: if a fan is jammed or showing signs of failure, you are encouraged to contact Fronius Technical Support (or your installer) to evaluate and repair/replace the fan as required.
How to Check Your Fronius Inverter Fan for Problems
You don’t need to be an electrician to check your inverter fan—but please prioritise safety.
Using Solar.web to Identify the 1090 Warning
Log in to your Fronius Solar.web account and check for service messages or error codes. A common one is 1090 – temperature over-limit (overheating warning).
If you see this warning:
- Check if the inverter is in direct sun or in a hot, poorly ventilated location.
- Consider whether the fan might be obstructed or not spinning.
Safely Checking & Clearing Your Inverter Fan
- Turn off the inverter power (either from the inverter switch at night or by turning off the solar supply main switch at the switchboard).
- Remove the inverter cover (following the manufacturer’s procedure).
- Inspect the fan area for obstructions (e.g., geckos, leaves, debris).
- Remove any blockage, and verify the fan spins freely.
- Reassemble and restore power, and monitor the next sunny day to confirm normal operation.
If the fan still does not spin or the 1090 warning persists — contact a qualified solar technician or installer.
The Fronius Wi-Fi Issue Explained
In addition to the fan and cooling issue, some Fronius GEN24 units have experienced Wi-Fi drop-offs. The inverter may occasionally disconnect from home Wi-Fi networks without a clear cause. After investigation, Fronius found that certain home routers (especially mesh wifi systems) were sending non-standard data packet lengths, which confused the inverter’s monitoring module. Fronius addressed this with firmware updates.
The Firmware Fix: Version 1.37
Fronius introduced software/firmware version 1.37 to address the Wi-Fi drop-off problem. If your system is showing connectivity issues, check that your inverter firmware is up to date and ask your installer to apply this update if needed.
Moving Forward with Fronius Solar
Fronius continues to iterate and improve its product line—addressing known issues (fan design, Wi-Fi stability), and introducing new solutions (battery, EV charger & larger hybrid inverters). For homeowners in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast, the key takeaway is: regular monitoring, proper installation location (good ventilation, minimal direct sun), and firmware maintenance are just as important as the hardware itself.
At SolarThoughts®, we recommend that if you have a GEN24 system or are considering one, you:
- Ask your installer about the fan design version (whether the “ring” design or the updated design).
- Ensure your inverter location is well ventilated, with shading if possible (especially QLD summer conditions).
- Check for error/warning codes in your monitoring platform.
- Ensure firmware is updated to the latest version (including Wi-Fi fixes).
- Schedule periodic visual checks of the inverter fan & cooling path as part of maintenance.
