Solar System Replacement Thornlands, Brisbane

Is Your Old Solar System a Ticking Time Bomb? A Thornlands Case Study

It’s a frustrating moment for any solar owner: you open your power bill expecting to see big savings, but instead, you’re faced with increased energy bills. This is precisely the situation a homeowner in Thornlands found themselves in when they called Fallon Solutions for a solar system inspection.

Their solar system hadn’t just stopped working; our investigation revealed it had become a serious safety hazard. This project is a crucial reminder that older solar systems can hide significant risks, and a professional assessment is key to ensuring your family’s safety.

The Problem: A Dead System Hiding Multiple Dangers

The system, installed way back in 2010, had stopped producing power over a year ago without the homeowner realising. But the lack of savings was only the beginning. Our comprehensive inspection uncovered a non-compliant solar system with numerous, serious safety flaws.

Here’s what we found:

• A Documented Fire Hazard: The main plastic DC isolation switch—the emergency stop for the system—was located on the roof, directly exposed to the sun and rain. Over time, these switches are known to degrade, crack, and allow water ingress, creating a well-documented DC isolation switch fire hazard.
• Unprotected Cabling: High-voltage DC cables were left lying directly on the hot roof tiles without any protective conduit. This is like leaving a live extension cord exposed to the elements; the protective sheath can break down, leading to a risk of electric shock or fire.
• No Safety Earthing: The system lacked a proper earth wire for both the panels and the inverter frame. Earthing is a critical safety feature that provides a safe path for electricity to travel in the event of a fault, preventing dangerous electric shocks.
• An Unsafe Switchboard: The home’s main “fuse box” was dangerously outdated. It had exposed live terminals, old plug-in breakers, and lacked both surge protection and adequate safety switch coverage. It was an accident waiting to happen.

The entire electrical and solar setup was a liability. A simple solar system repair was out of the question; a full replacement was the only safe path forward.

The Solution: A Complete Solar and Switchboard Overhaul

After walking the homeowner through the significant risks and providing clear, up-front pricing, they approved a full safety upgrade. Our solution was twofold: a complete solar system replacement in Thornlands and a full switchboard modernisation.

1. A New, Compliant 5kW Solar System: Our team safely decommissioned and removed the entire old, hazardous system. We then installed a brand new 5kW solar system, ensuring every component met modern Australian Standards. This included:

• Moving the DC isolator to a safe, protected, and accessible location.
• Running all cables in protective, weather-resistant conduit.
• Installing a new 6mm earth wire to the panel array and inverter frame.

2. A Modern, Safe Switchboard: Simultaneously, we replaced the old, dangerous switchboard. The upgrade included:

• A current-limited main switch to prevent dangerous system overloads.
• Individual safety switches for every circuit in the home (kitchen, lights, power points etc.), which shut off power in a fraction of a second if a fault is detected.
• Surge protection, which acts like a bodyguard for the home’s appliances and the new solar system, protecting them from damaging power surges.

The Benefits for the Homeowner: Safety, Savings, and Peace of Mind

With the comprehensive upgrade complete, the Thornlands home is now a model of electrical safety and energy efficiency.

• Massively Improved Safety: All fire and electric shock hazards from both the old solar system and the switchboard have been eliminated.
• Real Energy Savings: The new 5kW system is now operating at peak efficiency, actively working to slash their power bills.
• Total Compliance: The home’s entire electrical infrastructure is now up to code, meeting today’s strict safety standards.
• Future-Proofed Investment: A modern solar system and switchboard add significant value and safety to the property for years to come.
• Complete Peace of Mind: The homeowner no longer has to worry about the hidden dangers that were lurking on their roof and in their meter box.

Why Choose Fallon Solutions?

For over 60 years, Fallon Solutions has been committed to the safety of homes in South East Queensland. Our licenced electricians don’t just look at the obvious problem; we conduct thorough inspections to identify and rectify all underlying risks. We specialise in bringing older homes and solar systems up to the modern standards required to keep your family safe. Want to learn more about our solar services, visit our solar trade area.

Keep Your Solar Safe

If your solar system was installed more than a decade ago, it may not just be underperforming—it could be unsafe. As this Thornlands project clearly shows, the standards for solar safety have changed dramatically.

Don’t wait for your power bills to skyrocket or for an accident to happen. If you have an older solar system in the Thornlands area, contact the expert team at Fallon Solutions today to book a comprehensive solar system inspection. Call us on 1300 054 488 or send us an enquiry here.