Disconnecting Solar Panels Safely

Typically the company from whom you originally purchased the panels should perform the work.

Disconnecting solar panels safely.

I thought that without the battery connected the solar panel would fry the controller. In the event of a short circuit fire or flood the solar panels continue to generate potentially lethal dc voltage. The rule of thumb when connecting solar panels directly to a battery is never connect more than c 10 watts where c is the capacity of your battery. Any solar installer or solar company can remove panels for you in order to complete the work safely.

Furthermore installers and solar companies will carry insurance that allows them to cover any damage that occurs in the event of an accident. For example a 110ah battery should never be connected to a panel more than 11w without a solar controller and if you are using a solar controller you do not need a blocking diode. Some larger systems use a solar power disconnect switch for added safety in case one of the solar panels gets exposed to light during maintenance. This disconnection can be performed either at the switchboard or remotely by disconnecting the supply voltage.

Step 4 cover the ends of each wire with electrical tape a plastic bag or a rubber terminal cover to prevent physical contact should the wires become live. Solar panels cannot be turned off when exposed to light. The instructions for my solar panel say. Connect the battery to controller then the controller to solar panel that being the case to disconnect would be in reverse order.