Clients often have a number of questions about how their solar panel system will work once it's installed, and many surround the concept of solar outage performance and whether you will have power when an outage occurs on the electrical grid. A common example: Will solar panels work in an outage without battery backup storage?
At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we're here to help with a huge range of solar panel installation and battery backup services around Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho, helping ensure your home is powered no matter what - including grid power outages. Here are some basics on how solar panels work and whether they will be able to power your home during an outage without a battery backup, plus some alternatives and options for backup readiness.
The general answer here, and particularly for any solar panel system that is tied to the electrical grid in your area, is no. While solar panels are meant to run and provide power to your home even when the sun is not shining - think cloudy days and darkness at night for example – they do still require a continuous supply of energy.
Furthermore, many grid-tied systems come equipped with an automatic shutoff feature. This means that if there is a power outage in your area, your solar panels will automatically shut off to prevent sending electricity back into the grid. This is both a safety precaution for utility workers and a legal requirement in most areas.
So, if you want your solar panels to work during an outage, you will need to have battery storage as well. Battery storage allows you to store excess energy generated by your solar panels so that you can use it later when needed. This way, even if the grid goes down, you will still have access to stored electricity from your batteries.
Now, there are exceptions to the need for battery storage during a power outage. Some solar panel inverters have islanding capability, which means they can disconnect from the grid and continue to operate independently. This feature allows you to use your solar panels even during an outage, as long as there is enough sunlight.
However, not all solar panel inverters have this capability, so it's important to do your research and choose one that does if you want backup power during outages. And of course, if the outage takes place during nighttime hours when the sun is not shining, even panels with this capability will not be able to power your home during such an outage.
Luckily, there are a few readymade solutions for you if you want your solar panels to be able to power your home during power outages:
By far the simplest and most effective solution, a solar battery backup system stores energy generated by your solar panels during the day and allows you to use it during an outage. This means that even if the sun is not shining, you will still have access to power in your home.
Furthermore, solar battery backups can be used for other important purposes. If you have an electric vehicle, for instance, you could use the stored solar energy to charge your car. This not only provides you with an emergency power source, but it also helps reduce your reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
In addition, solar battery backups are becoming more affordable and accessible as technology advances. With a variety of options available in the market, homeowners can choose a system that best fits their needs and budget.
Another option is to have a generator as a backup for your solar panels. This involves connecting your solar panels to a transfer switch which is then connected to a generator. In the event of an outage, the switch automatically transfers over from solar power to generator power.
While this option may seem more budget-friendly compared to installing a battery backup system, this actually often isn't the case. Generators can be expensive to purchase and maintain, and they also rely on fossil fuels which can add to their overall cost. Additionally, generators often have a limited lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced.
However, having a generator as a backup for your solar panels can provide peace of mind in the event of an extended power outage or during times when sunlight is limited. It can also serve as a backup option if your battery backup system fails.
Net metering is another important aspect to consider when installing solar panels for your home. This refers to the process of sending excess energy generated by your solar panels back into the grid. In return, you receive credits on your utility bill or cash payments from the utility company.
Net metering allows you to benefit financially from your solar panels, as you can essentially sell back any excess energy you produce. This can help offset the initial cost of installing solar panels and provide long-term savings on your electricity bills.
Some states have mandatory net metering laws, while others have voluntary programs. It's important to research and understand the specific net metering policies in your area before investing in solar panels for your home.
At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we're happy to help with any kind of battery storage or other backup power option for your solar panel system around Utah or Idaho. Contact us today to learn more about solar outage performance and how you can benefit from solar energy in your home or business.
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