Will Solar Panels Work During a Power Outage?
Solar panels only work during a power outage if you have a solar battery backup system.
Even if it’s sunny outside, your solar system will not produce electricity during a power outage because you’re tied to the electrical grid. For safety reasons, your solar system shuts off when the grid shuts off.
However, your solar system may continue to produce electricity if you have a battery backup system or a hybrid inverter.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how solar panels work during power outages – and how to keep your solar panels operational during your next outage.
At a Glance:
- Solar panels only work during a power outage if you have a solar battery backup system or a hybrid inverter.
- Solar panels shut off during power outages to protect utility workers who are repairing the lines.
- Solar battery backup systems store electricity from your panels and supply it to your home when the grid is down.
- Hybrid inverters allow you to switch your system between on-the-grid and off-the-grid modes, enabling you to use your solar panels during power outages.
Solar Panels Don’t Work During Power Outages Without a Battery
An ordinary residential solar panel system connected to the grid will not produce electricity during a power outage (unless you have a battery).
During a power outage, your solar system automatically shuts down for safety reasons.
Even if it’s sunny outside, and your solar panels would normally be producing electricity, your panels will not produce electricity during the power outage as long as you remain connected to the grid.
Why Solar Panels Shut Off During Power Outages
Solar panel systems connected to the grid automatically shut off during power outages to protect anyone repairing the lines during the outage.
If your solar system did not shut off during the outage and remained connected to the grid, then your solar panel power output could feed electricity back into the system, posing a danger to people working on lines – like repair teams from your local utility provider.
These repair teams – including linesmen – are repairing the grid, assuming the power is out. If your solar panels feed electricity back into the system, it could pose a serious risk.
Solar Panels With Batteries Produce Power During Outages
If you have a solar battery backup system, your solar panels will work during a power outage.
Solar battery backup systems store the electricity your panels produce. Then, when your panels can’t produce electricity – like at night or during power outages – you draw electricity from your battery instead.
Here’s how a solar battery backup system works during a power outage:
- During the day, your solar panels produce electricity from sunlight and send the electricity to the battery.
- The battery stores the electricity for later use.
- If your panels aren’t producing enough electricity to power the home – say, at night – then your solar battery backup system kicks into action, supplying electricity to your home. If there’s a power outage, your battery continues providing power to your home until the battery runs out.
Some Hybrid Inverters Continue to Work During Power Outages
A growing number of residential solar systems have hybrid inverters. Hybrid inverters could allow you to continue using your solar panels during a power outage – even if you don’t have a solar battery backup system.
Hybrid inverters allow you to switch your system between on-the-grid and off-the-grid modes.
Normally, your solar system automatically shuts down when it’s on-the-grid during a power outage. However, by entering the off-the-grid mode, you can continue using your solar panel system as normal, regardless of the power outage.
Off-the-Grid Systems Continue to Work During Power Outages
If your solar panel system is permanently off the grid, it will continue to work during a power outage.
Solar systems shut down during outages to protect utility people repairing the lines. However, if your system isn’t connected to the grid, there’s no reason for your solar panel system to power down. Instead, you can continue to generate electricity as you normally would.
Battery Backup and Hybrid Inverter Systems Are More Expensive
If you want your solar panels to continue generating electricity during an outage, you may need to pay extra for your system.
Both of the power outage solutions mentioned above, including solar battery backups and hybrid inverter systems, are more expensive than traditional solar panels with string inverters.
However, if your area frequently deals with power outages, or if you want extra peace of mind, it may be worth paying extra for a solar battery backup system or hybrid inverter today.
Final Word
If your solar panels are connected to the electrical grid, then your solar panel system automatically shuts down during a power outage to protect people repairing the lines.
However, if you have a solar battery backup system, you can continue to draw energy from that battery during the power outage.
Your solar panels also continue to work if you have an off-the-grid system. When your system is off-the-grid, it poses no risk to people repairing the lines. Some solar systems also have hybrid inverters, allowing you to make your system off-the-grid in certain situations – including power outages.
Talk to a licensed solar contractor near you to determine if it’s worth installing a solar battery backup system or hybrid inverter for your solar panels.