So the power’s just come back on, and now you’re looking at your solar system thinking, “Do I need to reset this thing?”

You’re definitely not the only one scratching their head after a blackout. Across Australia, especially in places where outages happen a bit too often—like during wild storms or in rural areas—this is a pretty common question.

Sometimes your solar inverter will fire back up on its own, no drama at all.

Other times, it just sits there doing nothing, and that’s when you might need to give it a bit of a reboot. But don’t stress—resetting your solar is usually dead simple once you know how.

We’ll walk through the signs to look for, how to do a safe reset, and when it’s time to call a sparkie instead of poking around with switches yourself.

Because while solar saves you heaps on the power bill, it can be a bit fussy after a blackout. Let’s sort that out.

Why Power Outages Affect Solar Systems

When the power cuts out, your solar system doesn’t just shrug and keep working. It stops. And that’s not a fault—it’s meant to happen.

Solar inverters need a stable grid connection to work properly. They’re designed to automatically disconnect during an outage to protect the safety of electrical workers. This is called anti-islanding. It prevents your system from sending power into the grid while crews might be working on it.

Inverters rely on grid signals to sync everything—like voltage levels and frequency. When the grid drops, the inverter loses that signal and shuts itself down. That’s why after a blackout, your solar might not turn back on right away.

Inverters aren’t all built the same either. Some will restart automatically when power comes back. Others need you to manually reset them. That depends on your system and the type of inverter you’ve got installed.

In regional parts of Australia—especially places like Far North Queensland, bushfire-prone zones in Victoria, or outer suburbs in Perth—blackouts happen more often due to storms, wildlife interference, or infrastructure issues. People in these areas usually deal with this stuff more regularly.

If you’re in a rural area and see your inverter stuck on a fault mode after the power’s restored, a reset is probably on the cards. But before you touch anything, there are a few signs you should look for—and we’ll get to those next.

When You Need to Reset Solar After a Power Outage

Not every power outage means you’ll need to reset your solar system. But sometimes, things don’t fire back up the way they should—and that’s when a manual reset comes into play.

Here’s how to tell if your system needs a little push:

• No green light on your inverter – Most Aussie systems show a solid green light when things are working. If that light’s off, red, or flashing, there’s probably an issue.
• Solar isn’t generating any power – Check your monitoring app (if you’ve got one) or look at your electricity bill. If your solar output is zero for a while after power’s restored, that’s a red flag.
• Blank screen or flashing error message – Inverters usually show basic info on a display screen. If the screen’s dead or showing an error, that’s a clear sign something needs attention.

Some of the most common inverters found in Australian homes include Fronius, SMA, GoodWe, and Sungrow. Each has its own quirks, but most follow the same basic signals.

Before resetting, give it a bit of time. Wait 5–10 minutes after the power comes back. Some inverters do a little internal check before starting up again. If nothing happens after that, it’s probably time to reset.

How to Reset Your Solar Inverter Step-by-Step

Resetting your solar inverter sounds technical, but it’s usually pretty straightforward—kind of like turning something off and on again, just with a few more steps.

Here’s a general method that works for most systems in Australia:

• Turn off the solar supply main switch – You’ll find this in your switchboard. It’s labelled clearly and cuts the solar off from your home’s circuits.
• Turn off the inverter – Use the DC isolator switch, usually found right next to the inverter or built into the unit. This cuts power from the solar panels to the inverter.
• Wait 1 to 2 minutes – This short break lets the system fully power down and reset any internal errors.
• Turn the inverter back on – Start with the DC isolator switch.
• Then switch the solar supply back on at the switchboard – This brings the whole system back online.

This is often called a “shutdown and restart” procedure and can fix most minor post-blackout issues.

⚠️ Important: Always check your inverter’s manual or brand guidelines. Some models have extra steps, like pressing a reset button or navigating through a digital menu.

Here’s a quick visual to help you remember the order:

Step	What to Do
1	Turn off solar supply main switch
2	Turn off DC isolator on inverter
3	Wait 1–2 minutes
4	Turn on inverter (DC isolator)
5	Turn on solar supply main switch

If you’re unsure, it’s safer to call a licensed electrician than mess around with high-voltage equipment.

What If Solar Doesn’t Work After Reset?

So you’ve followed all the steps, reset everything carefully, and… still no luck?

That can happen, and there are a few common reasons behind it.

• Grid voltage fluctuations – Sometimes the power coming back isn’t stable enough. If the voltage is too high or low, the inverter won’t start up. This usually sorts itself out once the grid stabilises.
• Inverter damage or internal faults – If your inverter’s been pushed too hard during a surge or blackout, it might have a hardware issue. Keep an eye out for error codes or warning lights.
• Over-voltage shutdown – In areas with high solar penetration (like suburban VIC or QLD), the system can shut down automatically to protect itself from excess voltage.

Before calling a solar installer or electrician, double-check:

• That all switches are back in the correct position
• Your inverter is showing power input from panels
• There aren’t any obvious damage signs like burnt smells or odd noises

If you’ve ticked all those boxes and it’s still not working, get on the phone to a licensed solar professional. They’ll run diagnostics and get you back on track safely.

Do Off-Grid Solar Systems Need a Reset After Outages?

Off-grid solar systems don’t usually shut down during a power outage, because they’re not connected to the main electricity grid at all.

They generate and store their own power, often using a battery setup to keep things running when the sun’s not out.

But if there’s a fault, low battery charge, or a system overload, the inverter or battery might shut off to protect the equipment.

In those cases, you may need to manually restart or reinitialise the battery system.

That’s different from grid-tied systems, which automatically shut off during outages for safety reasons.

Off-grid setups are more independent but need regular monitoring, especially in remote areas where help isn’t just around the corner.

Most modern systems come with a control panel or app that shows if a reset is needed, or if there’s a deeper issue.

Manufacturer Warranty and Support

Before resetting anything, it’s smart to check your inverter’s warranty conditions.

Using the wrong reset method can sometimes void your warranty, especially if it leads to damage.

Most manufacturers provide a clear step-by-step process either on the unit itself or in the user manual.

If you’re unsure, don’t guess—call the support line or visit their website. Brands like Fronius, SMA, GoodWe, and Sungrow all offer solid customer service in Australia.

They usually have local support teams, quick response times, and detailed troubleshooting guides. Always keep your warranty documents somewhere safe in case you need them.

Common Issues Solar Users in Australia Face After Outages

After a power outage, solar systems in Australia can run into a few location-specific issues.

In hot regions like Queensland and Northern NSW, excessive heat can stress inverters, especially if they’re mounted in direct sun.

Coastal areas and storm zones—like parts of South Australia and Victoria—often deal with power surges and moisture damage after heavy rain or lightning.

Then there’s grid instability, which is common in rural and semi-rural areas across all states.

Frequent voltage swings or flickering power can stop your inverter from restarting properly, even when everything else looks fine.

Key Takeaway

Power outages can throw everything out of whack, especially when your solar system doesn’t switch back on the way it’s supposed to.

Most of the time, a quick reset sorts things out—nothing too complicated. But sometimes, it’s not just a matter of flipping switches.

It could be a voltage issue, a battery that’s gone flat, or an inverter that’s thrown a wobbly. That’s where having the right setup for your location really matters.

Here in WA, the weather, heat, and remote areas can make things trickier than they need to be. If your solar system feels like more of a headache than a help—or you’re keen to upgrade to something that just works, no matter what the grid’s doing—we can help.

At Off Grid WA, we build and support solar systems that are built to handle real Aussie conditions, especially for folks living off-grid or in blackout-prone areas.

Want a system that works when you need it most? Come have a look at what we do 👉 Click here!

We’ll help you stay switched on—even when the grid taps out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to solar panels during a blackout?

They stop producing usable power due to anti-islanding protection.

Can I use solar during a power outage?

Not unless you have a hybrid inverter or battery system.

Will my solar system restart automatically?

Some modern inverters do, others need manual intervention.