Standard Solar System Shutdown and Restart
Use this procedure if you have a standard grid-connected solar PV system without battery storage or backup power.
Shut Down
1. Switch OFF the inverter AC supply
Locate the AC breaker or isolator associated with your solar inverter and switch it OFF.
It may be labelled:
- Solar
- PV
- Inverter
- PV AC
- Solar AC
Only operate a breaker or isolator that is clearly identified as belonging to the solar system.
2. Switch OFF the solar PV DC supply
Go to the solar inverter.
Locate the inverter's DC switch / PV isolator and turn it to OFF.
This switch controls the DC supply from the solar panels to the inverter.
Some systems may instead have a clearly identified external DC isolator positioned next to the inverter. If so, use the system-specific DC isolator provided with your installation.
3. Wait 5 minutes
Leave the inverter switched OFF for at least 5 minutes before restarting.
The inverter display and status lights should normally switch off as the inverter powers down.
Restart
After waiting at least 5 minutes:
1. Switch ON the solar PV DC supply
Go to the inverter and turn the DC switch / PV isolator to ON.
This reconnects the solar panels to the inverter.
2. Switch ON the inverter AC supply
Switch the Solar / PV / Inverter AC breaker or isolator to ON.
3. Allow the inverter to restart
Allow several minutes for the inverter to initialise and complete its normal grid safety checks.
The inverter should then return to normal operation automatically when sufficient daylight is available.
Know The Controls
INVERTER AC BREAKER / ISOLATOR
Controls the AC connection between the inverter and your electrical installation.
PV DC SWITCH / ISOLATOR
Controls the DC input from the solar panels to the inverter.
These are two separate controls.
Important Safety Information
Only operate clearly identified external switches, breakers and controls.
Your inverter and installation may look different from the examples shown on this page. If you cannot clearly identify the correct AC breaker or PV/DC switch, do not operate it, contact Sol Viva for assistance.
Do not:
- Open the inverter.
- Open electrical enclosures.
- Remove electrical covers.
- Disconnect solar PV cables.
- Touch exposed wiring.
- Repeatedly restart an inverter that continues to report a fault.
In an Emergency
If there is smoke, fire, sparking, a burning smell, unusual heat, damaged equipment, exposed wiring or water entering electrical equipment, do not perform this reset procedure.
Keep away from the equipment and contact the emergency services where appropriate.
Solar panels can continue producing DC electricity whenever exposed to daylight, even when the inverter is switched off.
This procedure therefore does not mean that every part of the solar installation is electrically safe.
Still Having Problems?
If your solar system does not return to normal operation after the restart, do not repeatedly reset it.
Contact Sol Viva and send us:
- A photograph of the inverter.
- A photograph of the inverter display or status lights.
- Any warning or error code shown.
- A brief description of what happened before the problem occurred.
This will help us identify the issue and advise you on the appropriate next step.
Example images shown on this page are for identification purposes only. Your installation and labelling may differ.