Solar emergency: what to do

If there's a fire or anyone is in danger, call 000 now. For fallen power lines or a power outage, call Western Power on 13 13 51. For a fault that isn't dangerous, call the company that installed your system.

000Fire, or anyone in dangerTap to call 13 13 51Western Power: power outages and fallen power linesTap to call

Your installerFaults that aren't dangerous, and warranty claims

Do these four things

Keep yourself safe
Stay away from damaged equipment. Keep clear of water near anything electrical.
Turn the system off, if it's safe to
Switch it off at the inverter (the box on the wall your panels connect to) and at the main switchboard (usually in your meter box).
Call for help
Call 000 if there's a fire or anyone is in danger. If not, call your installer, or Western Power on 13 13 51.
Write down what happened
Take photos if it's safe to, and note the time and what happened.

What's happening?

Find the one that matches what you can see. What to do first is at the top.

Sparks or a burning smell

Turn the system off straight away, and call 000 if anyone is in danger.

Sparks or electrical flashes from the panels or inverter, a burning smell, bare or damaged cables, or water getting into anything electrical.

Fire or smoke

Call 000 straight away, then call your installer.

Flames from any part of your solar system, smoke from the panels or inverter, parts that are getting very hot, or firefighters dealing with a fire that involves your system.

Storm damage

Stay safe first, then ask your installer to check the system.

Panels hit by hail or flying debris, panels that are loose or have moved, damage to the frames or roof fixings that hold them, or a system that stopped working after a storm.

Write these down

Have these ready when you call your installer.

Date and time
Photos, if it's safe
What happened
Any error code on the inverter's screen
Weather at the time
Who installed your system

Once everyone is safe

If nothing is dangerous but the system isn't working right, a health check compares how much power it makes with what a system its size should make in WA.

Run a system health check

Look up an error code Help centre

Catch problems early

Have the system professionally checked once a year.
Tie down or put away loose items before a big storm.
Check your solar app now and then. If the system suddenly makes less power, that can be the first sign of a problem.

This page is general safety guidance only.

Solar emergency: what to do

Do these four things

Keep yourself safe

Stay away from damaged equipment. Keep clear of water near anything electrical.

Turn the system off, if it's safe to

Switch it off at the inverter (the box on the wall your panels connect to) and at the main switchboard (usually in your meter box).

Call for help

Call 000 if there's a fire or anyone is in danger. If not, call your installer, or Western Power on 13 13 51.

Write down what happened

Take photos if it's safe to, and note the time and what happened.