Grid-tied solar shuts down for safety
Most grid-connected solar systems automatically stop sending power when the utility grid is down. This protects lineworkers and the public from unexpected backfeed. Solar panels alone therefore should not be marketed as whole-home outage protection.
A battery changes the plan
A properly designed battery system can isolate from the grid and power selected circuits or, where the equipment and design allow, a larger portion of the home. Runtime depends on battery capacity, state of charge, solar production, and what you choose to run.
- Prioritize refrigeration, lights, internet, medical devices, and selected outlets.
- Air conditioning, electric water heating, pool equipment, and EV charging can reduce runtime quickly.
- Ask for a written critical-load plan and realistic runtime scenarios.
- Confirm utility interconnection and local permitting requirements for the battery configuration.
Design for your version of resilience
Some homeowners want a few quiet essentials for short outages. Others want longer-duration support during hurricane recovery. Those are different systems. We start by identifying the loads you care about and model the storage around them.
This general information is educational, not tax, legal, engineering, insurance, or financial advice. Programs and rules change. Verify current requirements with the relevant utility, agency, and qualified professional for your situation.