Immediate action guide
Solar Installer Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a solar installer arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Solar Panel Damaged After Storm
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the damaged panel, roof area, ground debris, inverter, and nearby wires.
- Stay off the roof and keep people away from fallen glass or wiring.
- From the ground, photograph damage and keep the inverter area clear.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the solar installer and electric utility if service equipment or outside wires are affected.
Do not do this
- - Do not climb a ladder, roof, tree, fence, or damaged structure during the emergency.
- - Do not touch solar wiring or broken panel glass.
E2
Inverter Alarm or Burning Smell
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the inverter, disconnect, wall, batteries if present, and nearby storage.
- Keep away from the equipment and use only clearly labeled disconnects if instructed by the installer or utility.
- Move combustibles away and watch for smoke from a safe distance.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for smoke or fire, then the solar installer before re-energizing.
Do not do this
- - Do not open inverter covers or reset alarms repeatedly.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Roof Leak Near Solar Mount
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the interior leak, attic below array, outlets, and roof mount area.
- Do not access the roof; move belongings and avoid wet electrical areas.
- Catch drips inside and document whether leak follows panel rows or roof penetrations.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the solar installer and roofer so flashing and mounts are checked together.
Do not do this
- - Do not climb a ladder, roof, tree, fence, or damaged structure during the emergency.
- - Do not touch wet electrical devices, outlets, cords, panels, or switches.
E4
Downed Solar Wire
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the wire, roof edge, yard, inverter path, and wet ground.
- Stay far away and keep people and pets out of the area.
- Block the area from a distance without touching the wire or anything contacting it.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for a downed energized wire, then the utility and solar installer.
Do not do this
- - Do not assume solar wires are dead because the grid power is off.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Battery Storage Alarm
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the battery cabinet, inverter, garage or utility room, and exit path.
- Leave the area if there is odor, heat, smoke, or repeated alarm.
- Keep exits clear and prevent anyone from opening the battery cabinet.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for smoke, fire, heat, or uncertainty; then call the solar installer and manufacturer support.
Do not do this
- - Do not open, move, cool, or reset a battery cabinet during an alarm.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.