A solid state relay coupleable to first and second phase busses of an AC power source for switching power from the first and second phase busses to a load including a reactive component comprises: first and second power semiconductor switches connected in a series circuit configuration and coupleable to the first and second phase busses for switching power from the first and second phase busses to the load, each of the first and second power semiconductor switches controllably operative in conductive and non-conductive states; first and second power diodes coupled respectively across the first and second power semiconductor switches; and a control circuit for monitoring a voltage across the first and second phase busses and a current of the load, and for controlling the first and second switches to a conductive state based on the monitored voltage and to a non-conductive state based on the monitored load current. A counterpart method is also disclosed.