EN3RGY SOLUTIONS
Did the Storm Affect You? Protect Your Home After Adelaide's Lightning Attack
Adelaide just witnessed a massive electrical event, with over 100,000 lightning strikes recorded in a single night. While the thunder may have passed, the “aftershocks” for your solar and household electrics can linger long after the clouds clear.
At Sharpe Trade Services, we urge all homeowners to perform a quick “health check” on their systems. While storm damage inside the house is usually obvious (like a tripped breaker or a fried toaster), your solar system sits on the frontline on your roof—meaning a lot can go wrong without you ever knowing.
The “Hidden” Storm Damage
Older solar systems often lack the sophisticated remote monitoring found in modern technology. This makes them particularly vulnerable to “silent” failures:
- Surge Stress: Lightning doesn’t need to hit your house to cause damage. A nearby strike can send a massive voltage spike through the grid or your solar panels, “frying” sensitive inverter components or blowing internal fuses.
- The DC Isolator Vulnerability: Rooftop isolating switches take the brunt of wild weather. If the seals on your isolator have degraded due to years of UV exposure, driving rain during a storm can force moisture inside, leading to a dangerous short-circuit or an “Isolation Fault.”
- Inverter Error Codes: Check your inverter display now. If you see red lights or error codes like “ISO Fault,” “Earth Fault,” or “Relay Error,” your system has likely detected damage and shut down to prevent a fire.
Is Your Isolator on the Recall List?
Since 2014, thousands of DC isolators from brands like Avanco, GEN3, NHP, and ISO-Max have been subject to mandatory safety recalls. These units are prone to internal arcing and fire, especially after being stressed by a lightning event.
If your system was installed between 2011 and 2015, you may have a “ticking time bomb” on your roof. Our trusted and experienced in-house technicians can identify these recalled models during a safety check and provide a clear upfront quotation for a compliant replacement.
The Ultimate Protection: Weatherproof Covers
Milder weather is predicted for the rest of the week, making it the perfect time to “armour” your system before the next heatwave or storm. We can fit a weatherproof cover to your isolator, which provides:
- UV Protection: Stops the plastic housing from becoming brittle and cracking.
- Rain Shielding: Acts as a secondary umbrella to prevent moisture ingress during torrential downpours.
FAQ
The storm may have tripped the “Solar Supply Main Switch” in your electrical switchboard. Check your board and flip the switch back to ‘ON.’ If it trips again immediately, do not force it; call Sharpe Trade Services to investigate a potential short circuit.
While rare, a direct hit can shatter the glass or melt the internal cells. More commonly, the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from a nearby strike induces a current that damages the inverter’s delicate circuit boards.
Yes. For post-storm safety checks, we aim to be at your property within 3 hours during our standard Monday to Friday business hours. Please note we do not operate on weekends or public holidays.
We offer flexible payment options through our partners Brighte, Humm, and Handypay, so you can restore your solar power immediately and pay over time.
