Will solar keep the lights on in an outage?

Solarwyse · 3 min read

Panels alone don’t answer the question

A conventional grid-tied solar inverter normally shuts down during a utility outage. Sunshine on the panels doesn’t automatically mean the house will have power.

Backup needs a complete arrangement

A suitably equipped hybrid system can keep selected circuits—or a larger portion of a home—running during an outage. It needs compatible equipment, adequate stored energy and the required isolation from utility lines.

Off-grid homes are designed to operate without a utility connection. Their batteries, inverter, solar array and generator charging must work together through changing conditions.

Decide what needs to stay on

Lights, refrigeration, communications and water pumping may be priorities. The answer depends on your household. Essential medical equipment needs a separate, explicit backup plan appropriate to the equipment and the people relying on it.

We’ll discuss what can run together and how long you want backup to last. A larger inverter doesn’t add battery energy, and cloudy days can limit solar charging.

Have switching specified for the job

Generator transfer equipment, interlocks, protection and grounding must suit the installation and applicable electrical requirements. Your electrician should select and install the correct arrangement. A web article cannot establish what is suitable for a particular panel or property.

Tell Solarwyse what you want to keep running and what equipment you have. We’ll help you understand the options before you buy.