Power outages are becoming an increasing concern in Western Washington as storms and wildfires worsen; Puget Sound Energy (PSE) recently announced that it will implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs in Kitsap County if necessary.
With the risk of outages mounting, installing a backup power source is a smart idea, especially if you rely on electronic medical equipment or refrigerated medication. A lot of folks who are interested in backup power look to solar panels as a solution. Unfortunately, grid-tied solar panels do not automatically work during a power outage. The only way to use grid-tied solar panels during a power outage is to install a solar battery.
What Happens to Solar Panels During a Power Outage
Most residential and commercial solar panel systems are grid-tied, which means they’re connected to the electric grid. The grid connection has many benefits. It allows you to participate in net metering, and to use grid-generated electricity when your solar panels are not producing power (like in the winter time or at night).
But there is one downside—when the electric grid goes down, all grid-tied solar panels are automatically shut off. This is a safety precaution that prevents solar panels from sending power into the electric grid during an outage, which could damage equipment and puts utility workers at risk.
How to Use Solar Panels During a Power Outage
If you want to use your solar panels during a power outage, you must have a battery connected to your system. A grid-tied solar panel system with battery backup allows you to reap all the benefits of being connected to the electric grid and also allows you to power your home using your battery during outages.
Grid-Tied Solar with Battery Backup
Grid-tied solar panels with battery backup work during a power outage because they have a special inverter that allows them to disconnect from the electric grid and operate in “island mode” when the electric grid is down. In island mode, your grid-tied solar panel system will temporarily operate like an off-grid system. When the sun is shining, your solar panels will power your home as usual and charge your battery. At night, your battery will take over and provide backup power for your essential appliances and devices until the sun rises. Installing solar panels with battery backup makes you more resilient and prepares you for emergencies like natural disasters and long-term power outages.
How Long Will a Solar Battery Last During a Power Outage?
Installing a battery will give you backup power during an outage, but for how long? The answer depends on a number of factors, including:
- Battery Capacity – Battery capacity is measured in kWh. The more kWh you have, the longer your battery will last during an outage.
- Solar System Size – Your battery charges from your solar panels, and you need a sufficient amount of solar output to power your home and charge your battery during the day. If your solar panel system is small, it may not be able to produce enough power to fully charge your battery while the sun is out.
- Usage – The less power you use, the longer your battery will last. If you’re frugal with the appliances you use during a power outage, your battery will last longer. If you turn on power-hungry appliances like your air conditioner, your battery will drain quickly. This is especially important during the winter, when there are fewer hours of daylight and you need to rely on your battery for longer periods of time.
- Mother Nature – Solar power is entirely weather-dependent. During the winter, you may not be able to fully charge your battery during the day because of the lack of sunlight. If you’re concerned about winter power outages, you should install a high-capacity battery system. The more battery capacity you have, the longer you will be able to power your home with little to no solar input.
Cascadia Solar designs custom solar panel and battery systems designed to meet your specific backup power requirements. We install high-quality battery systems, including the Tesla Powerwall 3, FranklinWH, SolarEdge, and Enphase batteries, and will recommend the best fit based on your backup power needs, your preferences, and your budget.
Off-Grid Solar
Off-grid solar panel systems work during a power outage because they are not connected to the electric grid. Since there is no grid connection, they’re not affected by grid-related power outages. But off-grid systems also have a lot of downsides. For one, they can’t draw power from the electric grid; if you need more electricity than you can generate or have stored, you will have nothing to fall back on. Plus, they’re typically more expensive to install than grid-tied systems. An off-grid system is a good fit for homes and buildings in rural areas without grid electricity access, but they don’t make sense for most homes and buildings. Cascadia Solar does not currently install off-grid systems.
Solar Panel & Battery Installation in Western Washington
Don’t wait until an outage happens to start thinking about installing a backup power system! Cascadia Solar can help you find the right solution for your home or building. We are a locally owned and operated solar company that’s been installing solar energy systems since 2007 and, as a division of Frederickson Electric, serving the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas for over 50 years. We are committed to local resiliency and are proud to participate in emergency preparedness efforts, including the All-County Picnic. Reach out to us today to learn more about your backup power options.
