Do Solar Panels work During A Power Outage?
In recent years, the solar energy trend is booming in the U.S. due to its long-term benefits including low energy bills, grid independence, and environment-friendliness. Not only homeowners but businesses are also increasingly switching to clean power for less grid reliance and to maximize savings in all seasons. However, do solar panels work during a power outage? is a common concern among people who are making solar investments.
This article focuses on how a solar system works during power outages, whether they are capable of powering your place during blackouts, and the role of solar + battery storage. We will also highlight real-life examples of solar energy systems in action during blackouts to better understand their limitations and advantages.
How Do Different Types Of Solar Systems Perform In Power Outages?
When considering whether solar panels work during a power outage, it’s important to differentiate between three main types of solar energy systems: grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid systems.
Grid-Tied Solar Systems:
It is noteworthy that grid connected systems are the most popular type of solar energy installation. These systems are integrated with the utility grid and this makes the homeowner to benefit from net metering. However, as noted above, the grid-tied systems are designed to stop during power outages for safety reasons. These systems don’t generate electricity during the blackouts if there is no battery storage.
Off-Grid Solar Systems:
Off-grid systems are not directly connected to the utility grids. These systems usually consist of battery storage; and since they are microgrids, they power on during an outage. For remote areas, off-grid systems are suitable.
Hybrid Solar Systems:
Hybrid systems combine the benefits of both grid-tied and off-grid systems. They remain connected to the grid but also include battery storage, which allows for power continuity during outages. Hybrid systems offer the flexibility to draw power from the grid when needed and store excess solar energy for backup.
How Can Solar Panels Work During A Power Outage?
Your solar energy system can work during power outages if you have battery storage. A solar-plus-battery system can supply electricity during a blackout, whereas grid-tied systems cannot. The extra energy produced by your solar panels during the day can be stored for later use, such as at night or in an emergency, with battery storage systems like the Tesla Powerwall or LG Chem.
In a blackout, solar with a battery system disconnects from the utility grid and uses stored energy in batteries to run critical-load appliances. This enables homeowners and businesses to continue having light and other important and necessary electronics on even during a power outage.
For example, many Texas homes with solar panels and battery storage kept their electricity during the winter storm of 2021. Homes equipped with solar batteries rely on their stored energy to survive the blackout as the storm knocked out power for millions of people.
Why Solar + Battery Storage Is Important During Power Outages?
Solar+battery can supply power regardless of the time of day or the weather without the need for backup power from the grid. The advantages of a solar-plus-storage system are as follows:
Power availability round the clock:
If you don’t have a solar energy system and use the time-of-use utility billing system, the higher demand on the system during the evening hours will probably result in higher electricity costs. However, with battery storage, you can use the electricity throughout the day at a later time. You don’t need to rely on the utility for power. If you are in a region where power outages are regular, this is very helpful.
Protecting Your Pocketbook:
With a battery, you can prevent an increase in electricity rates from your utility. Battery storage enables you to make use of affordable electricity that has already been produced and stored. This ensures that your rates remain low and have no impact on your monthly spending plan. In rare circumstances, you may even be able to sell the energy back to the grid when prices are higher.
Improved Tracking:
Through monitoring tools, a solar-plus-storage system can assist you in more accurately and transparently tracking the energy your system is producing. You can monitor the energy your home is using and producing in real-time with the help of these solutions.
Energy Independence:
A solar-plus-storage system gets you closer to being “off the grid” even though many states demand homeowners have a connection to their local utility even if they don’t use any electricity from the utility. With battery storage, you can prevent depending on your utility company for most of the year to provide electricity to your home. Additionally, you may always save some battery power so that your home will have lights in blackouts in the area.
Solar Battery Vs. Generator: Which One Is Best For A Home In An Outage?
For most homeowners, selecting between a generator vs battery, cost is a key consideration. On the one hand, different generator types are generally less expensive and simple to size for home demand.
On the other hand, a battery storage backup has a lot of benefits. A battery and solar panel combination reduces the electricity bill. A solar battery also offers a quiet, renewable power option that a generator would not. Additionally, consumers now prefer solar battery backup over generators for lighting their homes during outages due to the solar battery’s continually decreasing cost.
Overall, the answer to the question “Do solar panels work during a power outage” depends on whether your system is equipped with a battery backup system. It’s also essential to be aware that the best and most efficient approach to power your house during a blackout is to choose solar battery storage. Solar batteries provide you with a more dependable and secure alternative to power your home than backup generators.
You can also ask the best solar installer near you for suitable solar + battery storage options for your home.
