How To Turn Off Solar Panels

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your solar system wondering whether you can (or should) switch it off, you’re not alone. Whether you’re dealing with an emergency, planning some maintenance or just curious about how your system works, knowing how to turn off solar panels is a practical skill every solar owner should have.

In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly how to turn solar panels off, when you’d actually need to and what to do to get your system back up and running.

How to turn off a solar panel system

A solar system has two key shutoff points: the inverter and the switchboard. Both need to be addressed for a full shutdown. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Turn off the solar supply main switch 

Head to your main switchboard (usually located inside your home, garage or meter box). Find the switch labelled ‘Solar Supply Main Switch’ or similar and turn it to the OFF position. This cuts the AC output from your inverter to the grid and your home.

Step 2: Turn off the inverter 

Go to your inverter (commonly mounted on an external wall or in the garage). Most inverters have a physical on/off switch or a DC isolator switch on the side or beneath the unit. Switch this to OFF. Your inverter display should go dark or show a shutdown status.

Step 3: Turn off the DC isolator 

This is typically located near the inverter or on the roof near the panels themselves. Switching it off cuts the direct current flowing from the panels down to the inverter. Keep in mind that the panels themselves are still generating power as long as sunlight hits them. The DC isolator simply stops that power from travelling further into your system.

Step 4: Confirm the system is off 

Check your inverter display to confirm it shows no output. If you have a monitoring app, make sure no generation is being recorded. Do not assume the system is off based on one switch alone.

If you have a battery storage system, you’ll also need to shut that down via its dedicated isolator or app before any work begins. Refer to your battery’s manual for the exact steps, as this varies by brand.

Reasons to switch off a solar panel system

There are more situations than you might think where switching off your solar system is the right call. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones:

• Cleaning your panels: Dirt, dust, bird droppings and grime reduce how efficiently your panels generate power. Before anyone gets on the roof to clean them, the system needs to be fully shut down. A live solar system is a real electrical hazard, and this is one of the most overlooked safety steps homeowners skip.
• Routine maintenance or inspections: Whether a technician is checking wiring, inspecting mounting hardware or running diagnostics, a safe working environment starts with a powered-down system.
• System upgrades: Adding panels, upgrading your inverter or installing a battery all require the existing system to be fully isolated first. This protects both the installer and your existing equipment.
• Extreme weather events: The NSW Government recorded 32 natural disaster events from 2025 to 2026. In the case of severe storms, flooding or hail risk, switching off your system prevents potential damage from power surges or electrical faults caused by water ingress.

What to do after restarting your system

Once the reason for turning off your solar panels has been resolved, restarting is straightforward. Follow the reverse order of your shutdown: DC isolator on, inverter on, then the solar supply main switch.

After restarting, check that your inverter is displaying normal output and that your monitoring app (if you have one) shows generation resuming. Give it 5 to 10 minutes on a clear day to confirm everything is working as expected. 

As recommended by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, always contact your installer before investigating any issues yourself.

Get the most out of your system with RenewCo Solar

Knowing how to turn off solar panels for cleaning, maintenance and emergencies, as well as how to bring your system back up, is simple once you understand the sequence. It’s also good to remember that a solar system is real electrical infrastructure that deserves the same respect as any other part of your home.

At RenewCo Solar, we believe solar ownership shouldn’t be complicated. Our fully in-house NSW team is with you from the day you decide to go solar, right through to every question, check-in and service call that follows. 

If you’re thinking about getting solar installed or just have questions about how yours is performing, reach out to the RenewCo Solar team for a complimentary assessment.