If you live in an area with harsh weather, then you might be wondering, “Do solar panels work during a power outage?”. You might be seeking for an energy source while the grid is down and want to know if solar panels are this resource.
Since this question gets asked a lot we thought it would be a good idea to write an article on the topic. We recommend reading all of the below information before making any purchase decisions.
Do Solar Panels Work During a Power Outage?
So do solar panels work during a power outage? The answer to this question is maybe. It all depends on a few factors. Most all solar systems are connected to the grid. This connection allows you to draw energy from the grid when you need it and send energy to the grid when you’re are creating an excess.
The best example of this is when you draw energy at night when the panels aren’t producing eletrcity, and receive credits while you send energy back into the grid during the day. This net metering gives you the best of both worlds and is an overall great thing.
While you’re power will go out in a black out, you can still have energy if you have a battery backup system. These systems typically comprise of multiple deep cycle batteries. These batteries store excess energy during the day and make power available to you whenever you need it.
If the power went out while you were connected to this system. You could use it to power your home until the power comes back on. The only negative thing is you’re limited to amount of power your batteries can store. So buying more batteries would increase this capacity.
Luckily for us, companies like Tesla have created newer and more sophisticated batteries. Tesla offers multiple power packs that are perfect for providing power to your home. They are relatively small, and can power most of your energy needs with one pack. So if you’re looking into getting a battery system, then we would highly recommend visit Tesla first.