# How do I turn off a solar inverter safely? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) 4. How do I turn off a solar inverter safely? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [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/) - [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/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [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/) Panels make power whenever light hits them, so shutdown should be done by your installer or a licensed electrician, not by guesswork. By Amanda Cooper, 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 is solar different from other electrical equipment? 2. Why don't we list the switch steps? 3. What about batteries? 4. Who should I contact? 5. What to note before you call 6. What will a licensed person actually do? 7. What if I think it is an emergency? 8. Frequently asked questions Shutdown of a solar system should be done by your installer, a licensed electrician or strictly to the written instructions your installer gave you for your system. Panels produce power whenever light reaches them, so equipment can stay live even when a switch is off or a display is dark. Contact your installer. ## Why is solar different from other electrical equipment? Most household equipment goes dead when the power is cut at its source. Solar does not. The panels on your roof generate electricity whenever there is light, and that power travels through cabling to the inverter. So parts of the system can remain live in daylight even when part of it has been switched off, and even when the inverter display has gone blank. The inverter also sits between two different kinds of power, direct current from the panels and alternating current from the grid. Each has its own risks, and a battery adds another source again. ## Why don't we list the switch steps? You will see shutdown sequences online. They differ between brands, models and installations, and the right order for one system can be wrong for another. Getting it wrong can leave equipment live or damage it. Your installer's instructions and the manual for your specific system are the only ones that apply, and shutdown, isolation and fault work belong with a licensed professional. Energex has published solar shutdown guidance for cyclones on [its news page](https://www.energex.com.au/news/2025/shut-down-solar-systems-for-cyclone-safety). It is worth reading, but it does not replace your installer's advice for your own system. Stay off the roof and away from the equipment Never go on the roof to deal with panels or cabling. Keep children and pets away from the inverter, any batteries and the switchboard. If you see smoke, flames, sparks or melted plastic, or smell burning, leave the building and call 000. Do not touch anything that is wet or damaged. ## What about batteries? A home battery stores energy and can feed power even when the grid and the panels are off. It has its own shutdown requirements set by the manufacturer. Treat it as a separate piece of equipment and speak to your installer or the battery maker about it. ## Who should I contact? Your installer is the best first call, because they know your system and may hold the right documents. If you can't reach them or are unsure who installed it, a licensed electrician with solar experience can help. If you rent, contact your landlord or property manager as well. ## What to note before you call 1. Why you want it shut down — Write down the reason, such as a storm warning, a fault message or damage you can see from the ground. 2. What the display or app shows — Photograph the inverter display or your monitoring app without touching anything. Note any error code or coloured light. 3. The make and model — Photograph the label on the inverter and battery, and any paperwork from the installation. 4. When it started — Note the time, the weather and whether other things in the house were affected. ## What will a licensed person actually do? A licensed installer or electrician identifies the equipment, understands how your particular system is wired and confirms with proper instruments that parts of it are no longer live before anyone works on them. They also know how to handle the direct current side and any battery safely. None of that can be judged by eye or from a display, which is why it is not a job for guesswork. ## What if I think it is an emergency? For smoke, flames, sparks or anyone hurt, call 000 and leave the building. For anything else, such as a storm warning or an unusual noise, keep away from the equipment and call your installer or a licensed electrician. They can tell you what is appropriate for your system. ## Frequently asked questions - No. Panels can still be producing power in daylight, so equipment can be live even when the display is blank. Leave it to your installer or a licensed electrician. - Energex has published guidance about this for cyclones. Ask your installer how it applies to your system before storm season, rather than working it out on the day. - No. Roof access with live equipment is dangerous, and cabling can stay live in daylight. Contact your installer or a licensed electrician. - A licensed electrician with solar experience can help. Have your invoices, the make and model labels and any manuals ready. - Not necessarily. A battery has its own manufacturer requirements, so ask your installer or the battery maker. [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 restart my solar system after a shutdown?Restart your solar system only to your installer's or manufacturer's instructions, and expect a waiting period before it exports power again.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/restart-solar-system/) - [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/) - [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/) ## 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 is solar different from other electrical equipment? 2. Why don't we list the switch steps? 3. What about batteries? 4. Who should I contact? 5. What to note before you call 6. What will a licensed person actually do? 7. What if I think it is an emergency? 8. 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/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).