The good thing about solar panels is that you can produce electricity instead of relying on energy suppliers. You will be affected by a power outage even if you generate solar energy. However, solar panels do not work when there is a power outage due to the safety measures put in place. Although solar panels shut down during outages, you can still utilize stored solar energy with the right setup.

Solar Panels Are Designed To Go Off During A Power Outage

Your solar panels will go off automatically when there is no power. During an outage, you cannot use your solar panels or the appliances they power. You will not have access to power like households without solar panels.

With appropriate equipment, solar panels can provide power during outages, offering a significant benefit. It would be nice to be able to run crucial appliances like your fridge when there is an outage. Energy generation is regulated to ensure safety for utility workers and the grid, regardless of property ownership.

Usually, solar panels are designed so that they go off when there is a power outage. During an outage, chances are that some engineers are working on the power lines. Therefore, if there is power generation, there is an elevated risk of electrocution. The risk can be higher if many people in a neighborhood generate solar energy. Therefore, the solar panel’s inverter goes off automatically during a power outage.

Grid-tied Solar System

Most people with solar panels in their homes have grid-tied solar systems connected to an inverter. The inverter is connected to the house’s main AC panel and an electric meter. This meter records the energy sent to the grid by your solar panels and the energy you use from the power utility company. A grid-tied solar system can work without a backup battery.

When your solar panels produce excess energy, this energy is sent to the grid and supplied to other people. You can still use the grid power when the sun goes down. When you master this balancing act, your power bill will be negligible.

A grid-tied solar system will go off automatically in case of a power blackout. This prevents excess solar energy from flowing through damaged power lines, as this can lead to electrocution. This measure protects line workers who respond to repair damaged power lines.

This means that during a power outage, your home will also not have solar energy. The power from your solar panels will not go anywhere unless you can store it or disconnect your system from the grid.

Assessing Your Power Outage Needs

It can be helpful to assess your needs to ensure that you are well prepared in case of a power outage. Start by identifying the appliances and devices crucial to maintaining your home. This can include refrigeration, lighting, internet access, medical equipment, heating, cooling, and communication devices.

You can then estimate how much power you require to keep these appliances and devices running. You should also determine how long you will need to keep these devices running in case of an outage. Depending on your energy requirements and the estimated power outage duration, you can invest in a solar system with battery storage. You can rely on the stored power during a power outage. Ensure that your system has islanding capability to ensure that you can still use it even when there is no power.

Installing Home Battery System

Installing solar panels alone is insufficient to power your home during an outage. This is where a rechargeable battery comes in. You can charge a backup battery system when you have excess solar energy. You can access this stored power when there is limited sunshine to power your home or during a power outage.

Connecting the solar panels to a backup battery does not guarantee that you will have access to power during an outage. To use solar energy to power your home during an outage, your system must have the proper components.

Your solar system should have a blackout protection component that will disconnect your home from the grid during a power outage. Your system will automatically switch over to a storage battery. The blackout protection also prevents excess electricity from flowing into the grid; thus, it does not pose a risk to utility workers.

How To Deal With An Extended Power Outage

During a power outage, you should be conscious of your energy consumption to maximize your stored solar power. Here are some tips to help you deal with an extended power outage:

Prioritize Energy Usage

A solar battery can only store so much power. Therefore, you should prioritize your energy usage if you are experiencing an extended power outage. Preserve energy by identifying the appliances that are crucial for your home. From here, switch off the non-essential appliances and devices to ensure they do not drain your energy reserve.

Monitor and Maintain Your Solar Panels

Some solar panels and batteries have an inbuilt display panel that provides data. This information can help you to determine:

  • When the storage battery is charged

  • How much electricity does your solar system generate

  • Your power usage

  • Faults with your system

You can install additional monitoring devices if your solar system does not have built-in monitoring features. Monitoring features help you monitor your energy usage and know when to maintain your solar system.

Solar energy monitoring devices are especially crucial during power outages. The devices can provide comprehensive information regarding your energy consumption. You can identify areas in your home where you can preserve power during an outage.

Maximize Your Solar Panel Efficiency

Maximizing your solar panel efficiency is crucial to reaping the most from sun rays and topping up your stored solar power. To maximize your solar panels’ efficiency, position them correctly. The solar panels should face the sun and be clear of shade if possible. Clean your solar panels regularly to remove dust, dirt, and other debris that can reduce their efficiency. A professional should clean your solar panels instead of cleaning them yourself. Climbing on the roof to clean the panels can be a risky exercise.

How To Make Your Solar Panels Work During A Power Outage

Solar panels can work during a power outage, but you must set them up. Your panels will work if:

Not Tied To The Grid

If you live in a farmhouse or cabin not connected to the national grid, your home will be powered even during an outage.

Certain Add-ons To Your Solar System

You may be able to continue using solar panels during an outage if you have certain add-ons on your system. If your system has a battery, you can store the energy you do not consume or export to the grid. When you set up the battery correctly, you can briefly use the stored energy to power your home.

When the power goes off, the inverter turns your solar system off. Some solar batteries are complete with a relay, which disconnects your system from the grid in case of an outage. This process is known as islanding. It implies being off the grid until the power is turned on again. This way, you can use solar power without harming anyone working on the grid. However, there are several setbacks:

  • Most solar batteries do not have the islanding feature - you must set up your battery accordingly to make the automatic switch to stored power possible. This could lead to some additional costs.

  • Many residential solar batteries have a storage capacity of around 10 kWh. Average households consume roughly 10 kWh daily. Therefore, the stored energy might not last long.

  • In addition to limited storage, solar batteries have constraints on the amount of power they can deliver at once. The continuous output for most solar batteries on the market is 5,000 W. Consider this: Some appliances, like ovens, can draw between 2,000 W and 5,000 W. An hour or so of using these appliances can lead to depletion of the stored energy. Therefore, you cannot fully rely on the stored solar energy to power your home during an extended power outage. However, a solar battery is still essential because you can power important appliances like a CPAP machine or a medicine fridge.

How To Prepare For A Power Outage

Preparing in advance is crucial if you are expecting a power outage, especially if you do not have a backup battery. It is important to have supplies readily accessible before a power outage occurs. Assemble everything you require for ease of accessibility. Here are some tips that can help you prepare for a power outage:

Assemble Torches & Spare Batteries

Make sure that you have torches and spare batteries close by so that you can use them if a power outage occurs when it is dark. You would not want to use the torch on your mobile phone because this will drain the phone battery. Ensure that the people in your house know where these supplies are stored so they can access them even if you are out of the house. Avoid using candles or naked flames to light your home because these can pose a risk.

Charge Your Mobile Phone And Other Chargeable Appliances

Charge your mobile phone fully to ensure you can use it even during the outage. You might also want to charge your power bank because you can later use it to charge your phone, tablet, or other devices. You might consider charging it with a backup battery if you have rechargeable medical equipment.

Protect The Food In Your Fridge/Freezer

You can protect the contents of your fridge or freezer by keeping its doors closed. A refrigerator can preserve food for up to 4 hours after a power outage, provided the doors are closed. A full freezer can preserve the contents for up to 48 hours, while a half-full freezer can keep the contents fresh for up to 24 hours.

Switch Off Your Electric Appliances

Some electric appliances like grills, cookers, electric fires, hair straighteners, and chip pans are not designed to run unattended. You should switch off these appliances so they do not turn on without your knowledge when the power comes back. You should also unplug your television or tablet to avoid damage in case of a power surge when the power comes back on.

Keep Warm And Safe

A power outage would mean you cannot heat your home, especially if you do not have a backup battery. You should have some thick clothes and blankets ready to keep yourself warm. You can also reduce the heat loss from your house by closing the doors, windows, and curtains. Keep a first aid kit close in case of an emergency.

Essential Medical Equipment Should Have A Backup Solar Battery

A power outage can affect equipment like bath hoists, stair lifts, and adjustable beds. Ensure that your essential medical equipment has a backup solar battery. This means you can keep using the equipment even during a power outage. For a stairlift, check if it has a manual release handle. You can use the manual handle to return the lift to the ground in case of a power outage.

Check your backup power supplies and equipment regularly to ensure they are functional.

Find Reliable Solar Panel Installation Services Near Me

One of the most common misconceptions regarding solar energy is that solar panels will make you energy independent. Solar energy offers many benefits, including enabling you to save on energy costs. However, in case of a power outage, you will not have access to power if your system is on-grid. There is more to solar power than generating the energy. You must also find a way of storing this energy and switching to it in case of a power outage. For guidance on the best solar panels and how you can install a solar battery, contact Sun Solar Electric. We are the go-to solar installers in the Bay Area and Northern California. Contact us at 707-658-2157 to speak to one of our experts.