# How do I restart my solar system after a shutdown? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) 4. How do I restart my solar system after a shutdown? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How do I restart my solar system after a shutdown?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/restart-solar-system/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) - [What smoke alarms does Queensland require?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/queensland-smoke-alarm-requirements/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) Restart your solar system only to your installer's or manufacturer's instructions, and expect a waiting period before it exports power again. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. Why isn't restarting just the shutdown in reverse? 2. Why does it take time to start exporting? 3. What if it was shut down because of a fault? 4. What about battery systems? 5. Who should I contact? 6. What to note and tell them 7. What should I ask for before the next time? 8. Written instructions 9. What the installer will check 10. Frequently asked questions Restart a solar system only as your installer or the manufacturer instructs for your specific equipment. Order and method vary by brand, and a system shut down after a fault or storm damage should be inspected first. After starting, inverters commonly wait before exporting power again. Contact your installer for the right procedure. ## Why isn't restarting just the shutdown in reverse? It can look that simple, but the right sequence depends on your inverter, whether you have a battery and how your system was installed. Panels also keep producing power whenever there is light, so parts of the system can be live while other parts appear off. Guessing the order risks damaging the equipment or leaving it in an unsafe state. That is why we don't list steps here. Your installer's instructions and the maker's manual are the ones that apply to your system. ## Why does it take time to start exporting? Grid-connected inverters are built to check the grid before they feed power into it. Sources describing restarts mention a waiting period before the system begins exporting, so a display that shows a message or no output straight away is not necessarily a fault. The waiting period varies by inverter, so your manual or installer will tell you what is normal for yours. Do not restart if there is any sign of damage If the system was shut down because of storm, flood or fire damage, or you can see melted, scorched or wet equipment, keep away from it. If there is smoke, sparks or a burning smell, leave the building and call 000. Have a licensed installer inspect the system before anyone starts it again. ## What if it was shut down because of a fault? A fault shutdown means something detected a problem. Starting it again does not fix the cause, and a fault that keeps returning can be a safety issue. Note the code and call your installer or a licensed electrician rather than repeating attempts. ## What about battery systems? A battery has its own start-up procedure set by the manufacturer. It can also hold stored energy, so it needs particular care. Ask your installer or the battery maker for the correct procedure for your model. ## Who should I contact? Start with your installer, because they know your system and warranty position. If that is not possible, a licensed electrician with solar experience can help. Rental tenants should contact their landlord or property manager. ## What to note and tell them 1. What was done and when — Write down why the system was shut down, who did it and the time. 2. What the display or app shows now — Photograph the inverter display or monitoring app without touching anything. Note any error code or coloured light. 3. Any visible damage — From a safe distance, note anything wet, scorched or broken. Do not go on the roof or open any covers. 4. Make and model — Photograph the labels on the inverter and battery so the installer can find the right manual. ## What should I ask for before the next time? ### Written instructions The easiest time to get the right procedure is before you need it. Ask your installer to give you written instructions for your own system, including what is safe for a homeowner to do and what is not. Keep them with your manuals and installation paperwork. ### What the installer will check Before bringing a system back into service after a fault or storm, a licensed installer will look over the panels, cabling, isolators and inverter for damage, check that the connections are sound and confirm the system is operating as expected. That is the kind of check a homeowner cannot do by looking at a display. ## Frequently asked questions - It varies by inverter, but most wait for a short period while they check the grid. Your manual or installer can tell you what is normal for your model. - It can be. The unit may be going through its start-up checks. If it stays blank or shows an error, note the code and call your installer. - Not until a licensed installer has inspected it if there is any chance of damage. Water or storm damage can leave equipment unsafe. - Yes, batteries have their own procedure from the manufacturer. Ask your installer or the battery maker. - Repeated faults need a licensed installer. Write down the code and the times it appears and keep clear of the equipment. [Learn about Solar Power](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/) Related services: [Solar Cleaning](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/solar-cleaning/), [Solar Batteries](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/solar-batteries/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) - [Clean Energy Council](https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [SolarHow do I turn off a solar inverter safely?Panels make power whenever light hits them, so shutdown should be done by your installer or a licensed electrician, not by guesswork.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [SolarWhy is my solar inverter showing a red light or error?A red light or error means the inverter has detected a condition; note the code and call a licensed installer, and do not open the unit.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-inverter-red-light-fault/) - [SolarShould I turn off my solar before a cyclone, flood or storm?Energex has published shutdown guidance for cyclones; follow it with your installer's advice, never go on the roof, and get storm damage inspected.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/shut-down-solar-before-storm/) - [SolarDo solar panels work during a blackout?Most grid-connected solar shuts down in a blackout to protect line workers, so backup power needs a battery set up for it.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. Why isn't restarting just the shutdown in reverse? 2. Why does it take time to start exporting? 3. What if it was shut down because of a fault? 4. What about battery systems? 5. Who should I contact? 6. What to note and tell them 7. What should I ask for before the next time? 8. Written instructions 9. What the installer will check 10. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/solar/restart-solar-system/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).