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Fluke Solmetric PVA-1500 Troubleshooting
(Updated November 14, 2025)
ALWAYS CHARGE BOTH DEVICES OVERNIGHT BEFORE USE
CHARGE BOTH DEVICES MONTHLY WHEN NOT IN USE
 
ProblemSolution
PVA application unable to detect WiFi-connected devices
  • Connect to PVA WiFi hotspot (Correct state: “no internet, open”), then restart PVA application.
  • In Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Location, turn on “Location Services” and “Allow apps to access location”.
  • Check Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Hardware Properties: IP assignment and DNS server assignment must both be set to “Automatic (DHCP)”.
  • Clear PVA network MAC address 'Deny List': press I-V unit power button 10 times quickly (less than 1/2 second between presses).
Error Reading Database
App crash on launch
App crash at new project selection
App crash on module selection
App crashes or hangs when saving measurements
Invisible keypad when defining location or module parameters, revealed as pointer is swept across keypad		If none of the above steps work, it may be necessary to run the Windows ‘Reset this PC’ utility with cloud download, and select ‘keep my files and folders’. First backup everything and consult with IT.
SolSensor not detectedRe-Pair SolSensor to I-V Measuring Unit:
  • IMPORTANT: Turn off PC / Laptop / Tablet WiFi
  • Hard reset both the I-V unit and the SolSensor
  • Press ‘power’ button on I-V unit 5x quickly – look for blink change
  • Press power button on SolSensor 5x quickly
Both devices should switch to normal slow blink when paired
  • Wait for 2nd PVA WiFi hotspot with “_Pair” to disappear
  • Connect PC WiFi to remaining PVA_1500 HotSpot
  • Restart PVA application – both devices should connect to PVA application within 30 seconds.
SolSensor irradiance = 0In PVA Project file > Properties > Site Info:
  • Confirm latitude and longitude are correct
  • Array type: Fixed = azimuth 180°(typical), or as-built (i.e. carports & rooftop arrays)
  • Array type tracking = azimuth 90° (in the morning)
  • Time Zone (MUST match selected time zone in Windows > Settings > Date & Time)
In computer:
  • Date
  • Time
  • Time Zone (MUST match selected time zone in PVA Properties > Site Info screen)
“0” Volts Detected
  • Confirm source circuit voltage with appropriate DMM
  • Check test leads for continuity
  • Contact Fluke service for RMA
Charging / Power issues

*Note: Both I-V units and SolSensors with very low batteries may require 1-2 hours to start charging normally, and then 6-8 hours to reach full charge. (This is normal after longer periods of storage.)

*Always leave both devices plugged in and charging overnight before use.
 
  • Voltage on each unit will rise to 3.65Vdc (lights blinking), then ‘float’ at ~3.49Vdc (lights solid)
  • In-use, fully charged I-V unit will start out just over ~3.2Vdc; SolSensor will start at ~3.24Vdc
To improve charging reliability of older units:
  • Always charge both devices overnight before use
  • Upgrade to new USB charging cables:
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/electrical-testing/best-solar-energy-industry-tools/pva-charger
Or use the Field Charging Kit:
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/electrical-testing/best-solar-energy-industry-tools/pva-charging-kit
 
Windows maintenance / Windows Update
  1. ‘Check for Updates’ in the Update & Security window (Settings > Windows Update or Update & Security).
  2. Run all available Windows Updates, including feature updates to current versions of Windows 10 or Windows 11
  3. Go to ‘Advanced Options’, turn on ‘Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows.
  4. Run ‘Check for Updates’ again TWICE– install all available updates each time.
  5. Run ‘Disk Cleanup’; select ‘Clean Up System Files’, check all boxes
  6. Run ‘Disk Defragmenter’ (‘optimize’ for SSD)
  7. Reboot PC
Additional files to provide to Solmetric Support (if requested)
(Note: View options in File Explorer need to include ‘Hidden items’):
  • PVA.log
  • KivaErrorLog.txt
__________________________________________________________________________________
PVA 4.x ‘PVA.log’ file location:
PV Analyzer ‘5.x’PVA.log file location:
A screenshot of a computer<br><br>Description automatically generated ___________________________________________________________________________________
KivaErrorLog.txt file location:
A screenshot of a computer<br><br>Description automatically generated with medium confidence
____________________________________________________________________________________


Deleting PVA 4.x configuration file in This PC / C: / Users / (user) / AppData / Local / Solmetric /:
A screenshot of a computer<br><br>Description automatically generated ____________________________________________________________________________________
Deleting Solmetric PV Analyzer 5.x configuration file in This PC / C: / Users / (user) / AppData / Local / Fluke /:
A screenshot of a computer<br><br>Description automatically generated


___________________________________________________________________________________
Solmetric PV Analyzer App note: traces saved to ‘modules’ instead of ‘string’, preventing export of ‘traces for entire system’.
Sample with error message, and text listing modules instead of string location:
A screenshot of a computer<br><br>Description automatically generated
A screenshot of a computer<br><br>Description automatically generated
To correct, recall measurement(s) as needed and ‘reassign’ each measurement to the correct string location.
 
Keywords: Solmetric,PVA-1500,PVA,PVA Troubleshooting, Solar