How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?

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. It is worth reading, but it does not replace your installer's advice for your own system.

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 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.