Sunrays Power

With Cyclone Alfred expected to make landfall in SEQ, including Brisbane, we want to ensure you have the right information to keep your solar system and household safe during this severe weather period.

BEFORE THE CYCLONE:

1) INSURANCE:

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM IS COVERED UNDER HOME INSURANCE. While most home insurance policies include solar panels and their components, it’s always best to double-check with your provider.

If you have a solar system installed on a townhouse, reach out to your body corporate to confirm coverage. If it’s not included, you may need separate insurance to protect your investment. Stay covered and enjoy the benefits of solar worry-free!

2) SHUTDOWN YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM:
To prevent electrical hazards, we recommend shutting down your solar PV system. Always follow the shutdown procedure, which is typically found on your inverter.

HOW TO SHUTDOWN THE SOLAR SYSTEM:

✅ 1) Turn off the Main Switch (Inverter Supply) or AC isolator.
✅ 2) THEN, turn of the PV Array DC Isolator usually located on the side or the bottom of the Inverter.

⚠️ If you know your area is at risk of flooding or if water could reach your inverter and electrical components, YOU MUST SHUT DOWN YOUR SYSTEM. You can check whether you will be affected here: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community-and-safety/community-safety/disasters-and-emergencies/be-prepared/flooding-in-brisbane/flood-awareness-map

DURING THE CYCLONE:

If your solar PV system becomes wet or submerged while still switched on, treat it as a serious electrical hazard.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO FOLLOW DURING THE CYCLONE:

❌ Do not attempt to turn off or touch any components or wiring.
❌ Assume any wet or submerged solar system is live and dangerous. For example, if your inverter or battery system is underwater.
❌ If you are forced onto your roof due to flooding, please stay away from solar panels and wiring.

AFTER THE CYCLONE:

If your solar PV system has been flooded or visibly damaged, DO NOT turn it back on. Even if the system appears dry, residual moisture can cause it to become live, creating a risk of electric shock.

⚠️ If your roof or solar system has been damaged, any part of your solar system could be live. Inspect from a distance and contact an electrician immediately.

IF YOUR SOLAR IS NOT DAMAGED:

✅Always follow the Startup Procedure (or, the instructions to “energize the Inverter”), which is typically found on your inverter. The startup procedure is the reverse of the Shutdown Procedure.

IF YOUR SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED:

🚨 Assume the system is live and stay away
🚨 Contact us or an accredited installer to inspect and recommission your system
🚨 If your inverter was submerged, it will likely need to be replaced.

Your safety is our priority. If you have any concerns about your solar system after the cyclone, please reach out to us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Stay safe,
The Sunrays Power Team

Did you know that we have a YouTube account? We frequently upload videos of our installations on there, and will soon be uploading our Mini Solar FAQ series.

In the meantime, here is a link to one of our YouTube videos about an installation we've recently done which had a major shading issues. If you're wanting solar, but have unavoidable shading problems (for example: shading from the neighbours trees which can't be cut down), I recommend giving this video a quick watch, as well as to keeping an eye on our YouTube for that Solar FAQ series, which we will cover shading in a bit more detail.

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