Do Solar Panels Work During a Power Outage?
One of the biggest misconceptions about residential solar panels is that they provide backup power during an outage. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Residential solar panels are connected to the main electric grid and when the grid goes down, all grid-tied solar panels go down with it.
Luckily, there’s a way around this problem—solar battery storage.
When paired with a solar battery like the Tesla Powerwall, solar panels can stay on during a power outage and provide continuous backup power for your home.
Why Solar Panels Shut Down in a Power Outage
Most home solar panels are grid-tied, which means they are directly connected to the main electric grid. The connection allows you to take power from the grid when your solar panels are not producing electricity and feed excess power back into the grid so you can participate in net energy metering. Since electricity can flow from your solar panels into the electric grid, however, they are automatically turned off during a grid outage to protect utility workers from unexpected power surges while they’re making repairs.
How to Keep Solar Panels on During a Power Outage
The only way to use your solar panels during a power outage is to install solar with battery backup. A solar battery is an energy storage device that can store the excess electricity your solar panels generate so it doesn’t have to be sent to the main electric grid. Because the battery gives your surplus energy a place to go besides the grid, solar plus battery systems can temporarily disconnect from the grid during a power outage and remain operational. This is called “islanding.”
During a daytime power outage, solar plus battery systems will stay on with no interruptions. Your solar panels will continue generating electricity, powering your home, and charging your battery. You probably won’t even realize there’s an outage happening.
If the power goes out at night, your battery will provide backup power for essentials, like your lights, phone charger, and refrigerator. Most homeowners choose to install partial-home backup with enough storage to get them through the night until the sun comes up and their solar panels take over, but you can also install whole-home battery backup.
The new Tesla Powerwall 3 is ideal for whole-home backup. It has a fully integrated inverter and can start large loads, like an air conditioner, so you can use your appliances freely during a power outage.
Solar Panel & Battery Installers in Santa Rosa, CA
The California electric grid is becoming increasingly unreliable. Don’t get left in the dark—install solar panels with battery backup and rest easy knowing your family will be safe and comfortable the next time the power goes out.
Taylor Energy is the solar installer Santa Rosa homeowners turn to for premium installations and high-quality service. We are a local Santa Rosa solar installer with over 15 years and 50,000 hours of field experience, and we make the solar installation process simple. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you decide whether solar makes sense for your home with no pressure, just honest answers and genuine guidance.
Keep the lights on during a power outage with solar battery backup. Call (707) 494-6008 or contact us for a free consultation.
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