Have you ever wondered what happens to solar powered houses when there’s a power outage? Does it continue working or does it stop altogether? Well, just like most cases, when blackouts happen, every electrical source is shut down.
The same applies to solar powered houses. So, the answer is: yes, solar power also goes out during blackouts. Unless you have a backup system, your appliances plugged into power will stop working.
But how can that happen even when using the sun as a power source? Let’s understand why that happens.
Understanding solar power
The process of converting sunlight into electricity happens in a few stages. The first obvious step is to absorb the sunlight, hence the photovoltaic panels installed on roofs.
These panels manage to produce movement of the electrons, which ends up generating an electrical current called direct current (DC). Then a solar inverter is used to convert the DC into the electricity used by homes and businesses to run their appliances.
With the current produced by solar power, it is possible to run major appliances like:
- Refrigerators
- Washing machines
- Clothes dryers
- Air conditioners
- Electric ovens
- TVs and computers
The excess electric current is then exported to the grid-tied systems that run through the buildings.
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Then why does the solar power go down during a blackout?
In Australia, most homes have the grid-tied system installed. That means the excess in energy absorbed by the panels gets sent to the neighbours as there is no way of storing it.
That’s the reason why oftentimes the electricity bill is near $0. The grid-tied systems are also known as the house’s powering battery.
When there’s a blackout, it is necessary to prevent those grids from sending the excess away. The reason why is because if the current kept going, it could accidentally reach a damaged power line and end up injuring line workers who are out to fix them.
In the event of a power outage, the grid-systems usually feature an automatic shut-off that stops the extra energy from being sent over. As a result, the power in the whole house also goes off.
Is there any way of still using solar power even during blackouts?
There are a few ways to get around it safely, even during power outages. Some of them include:
- Using a gas backup generator
- Adding solar batteries to the grid system
- Using a solar-powered generator
- Replacing the inverter for blackout protected equipment
Backup Gas Generator
Even though having a gas powered generator kind of defeats the purpose of having a more environmentally friendly system such as solar power, it can be a solution.
It can serve as a reliable source of power during an outage as it usually outlasts the outage of the grid.
Solar Batteries
Solar batteries can help store the excess energy from the grids, which means the electricitiy would still be working in the house. The transition from the grid to the battery is seamlessly done automatically by the devices.
Although their installations are expensive, they provide homeowners with true peace of mind.
Solar Generator
On the more mobile side of things, another solution for that problem is a solar generator. Solar generators are portable devices that can help your appliances keep running even when there’s a power outage.
They won’t, however, charge straight from the grid when the power is down. In any other case, they can be easily charged with or without solar panels.
Protected Inverters
When installing solar power equipment in your house, a good option for when outages happen is to have a hybrid solar inverter. These devices can work with battery storage and help the system isolate itself from the grid when power is down.
That means it can disconnect from the grid system and still provide electricity to the house using the solar panels.
Why go solar?
All in all, choosing solar power is the most cost-effective and sustainable powering method available these days. In addition to helping you save money on your electricity bills, it can also provide you with power even in the middle of a blackout.
Besides that, other benefits include:
- Increased home value
- Government incentives
- Potential return on investment
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Recommended reading
- Solar savings calculator
- Why aren’t your solar panels working?
- Do solar panels work during a blackout?
- Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
- Does hail damage solar panels?
- Bird-proofing your solar panels.
- Is it worth getting a heat pump water heater?
- How often do you need solar system inspections?
- Does solar hot water increase your property value?