Do solar panels work during a power outage?

Will my solar system give me electricity during a local power outage? 

When an unexpected disaster occurs, such as a power outage, renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels, can keep your electricity on even though the grid is down.

So first, you go to the trouble and expense of your own little solar power station, and then you have no power if the electricity grid goes down.

However, while a standard solar system is not enough to keep your lights on, if you incorporate a battery storage system with your home solar system, you will stay powered up during a power outage.

Since your grid-connected solar system, as the name implies, is wired to the grid of your specific electricity company, when the power goes out because of a line fault or power overload, your panels will still produce energy, but your inverter will shut the system off the grid, meaning you lose the house electricity, like everyone else.

This means that your solar system itself will not work during power outages. You may wonder why your solar panels won’t work during a power outage if sunlight is all needed to generate electricity. Would this not be the best time to get solar support for your premises?

Why is your solar panel system turning off?

This is because of how grid-tied systems are designed. Sunlight will beam down on the panels they use to generate DC energy converted to AC energy through the inverter and then used by household appliances.

When your solar panels produce more electricity than you are using, this extra energy is transferred back to the grid. Imagine that the grid goes down, and the sparky climbs up a local power pole to fix the offending transformer or wire. Now imagine several homes in the street, all merrily feeding 240V electricity back into the grid from their solar panels.

Also, when the grid infrastructure detects a fault, the transformers and other equipment on the grid shut down for their protection. So you could destroy that equipment if you force electricity into it from your solar system.

So let’s look at how a combination of two energy products, the PV and a storage battery systems, can work together to use solar power during a power outage.

The most common solar system installation is a grid-tied solar system. However, a hybrid solar or battery-coupled system is another commonly available option.

What if you have one or more home solar batteries

Installing one or several batteries will allow a homeowner to store the excess energy generated by their solar system rather than send it back to the grid. In the case of a power outage, you can isolate your solar system via the hybrid inverters’ blackout protection function.

Your home will then draw power from your batteries without harming utility workers. Although this sounds good, solar batteries in a hybrid system carry some limitations, depending on the size of your energy storage system.

For example, if the grid is down for a prolonged period, you will only have the solar power system to charge the batteries. Additionally, overcast and rainy weather can compromise PV generation capacity, requiring battery preservation.

A power outage is a time to preserve electricity, even if you have a battery and solar combo. Not the time to bake cakes on the electric stove, have all the neighbours over, and organise a “We have no blackout” – show-off party.

Batteries can also support your electricity consumption at night. Therefore, if you believe that you consume a large amount of your energy at night and want to feel secure with your energy when there is a power outage, consider purchasing a solar battery to combine with your solar PV system.

Protecting you from ever-rising electricity bills.

What to do if a power outage occurs

Ensuring safety and energy conservation during a power outage, whether you have a solar installation or not, is crucial. Here are some tips to stay safe and preserve energy:

Use safe lighting:

1. Exercise caution with fire-based light sources like candles during power outages, especially in ongoing natural disasters. Opt for battery-powered alternatives such as battery lamps, flashlights, and night lights to mitigate potential hazards.

Avoid using oven or stove:

1. Do not attempt to heat your home using the oven or stove top, particularly if they are older or gas-heated. This can pose serious risks like gas inhalation or a fire explosion. Prioritise safety by using alternative heating methods.

Minimise fridge and freezer door openings:

1. Limit opening the fridge or freezer door during a power outage. Each opening allows cool air to escape, causing these appliances to work harder to maintain low temperatures. Preserve energy by minimising access to these appliances.

Prepare an emergency kit and plan:

1. Before a power outage occurs, ensure you have an emergency kit prepared. Include essentials like batteries, canned food, bottled water, first-aid kits, and flashlights. Tailor the kit to accommodate any specific medical needs for you or your family. Establish a clear emergency plan, discussing it with all household members to ensure everyone is prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

Implementing these tips will not only enhance safety but also contribute to efficient energy use during power outages. Stay prepared and safeguard your home with these simple yet effective measures.