Energex is asking us to turn off our solar PV Systems. I think we should do as asked, but probably Thursday (6 March 2025) before midday as wind speeds pick up in strength. Once it is raining we are generating no more than 10% of full output.
I think Energex’s reasons will be:
While inverters are designed to shut down and disconnect from the grid within 2 seconds of grid power outage, and hence prevent parts of the grid remaining live if the electrical workers are fixing fallen lines, this instruction from Energex is just added security. They may also be concerned with lots of solar PV systems starting up at around the same time when the grid comes back on after repairs.
There should be a Shutdown Procedure sign in or near your switchboard. Check for this. Each solar system has an Solar AC isolator and a Solar DC isolator. The procedure is: Turn off the Solar Main Switch (also sometimes called the Solar AC isolator) first and then the Solar DC isolator. The inverter display should go out or your phone app should show no solar generation. After the cyclone, switch the Solar DC isolator back on first and then the Solar AC isolator. But listen for Energex messages as they might not want us all to switch our solar systems back on as soon as the Sun comes out.
If you have batteries, and wish to run off these via a hybrid inverter, during a power outage, then please check with the information that your installer should have provided, as to how to run the solar PV system as a stand-alone power system. It should be fully automatic.
Trevor Berrill
6 March 2025
