Solar Panels and Outages: What You Need to Know

20 May Solar Panels and Outages: What You Need to Know

Occasionally, storms can hit that knock-out power in your neighborhood, but not for people who make use of alternative power sources like solar. Just solar alone isn’t enough though, you also need to have some kind of backup energy storage to keep your lights on and food from spoiling. Let’s check out why solar is a strong energy option for avoiding outages.

Will Solar Panels Work During an Outage?

If your solar panels are tied to a grid, you’ll be generating clean energy. Especially if you’re taking part in net metering, there are advantages to being on the grid. Being tied to the grid though, you can be prone to outages if and when they occur. So the short answer to this question is no, solar panels on their own will not work during an outage. However, if you have solar battery storage or are off-grid, you’ll be absolutely fine in the event that inclement weather cuts the power off in your area. 

Why Do Outages Happen?

In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, unruly weather is bound to happen which can sometimes lead to outages. Lightning and strong winds can often lead to outages when they’re severe enough. Car accidents, small animals like squirrels, and other accidents can lead to downed power lines and poles as well. Like we mentioned before, you don’t have to lose power when the grid goes down with batteries of off-grid systems.

If your solar system is off of the grid, you can gain a lot of freedom, but this also means that you won’t be able to take advantage of efficient solutions like net metering. In the Northeast, it’s almost essential to be on the grid to get the best savings from solar. Our seasonal weather makes it so that you can take advantage of the sun in the Spring and in the Summer and store credits with the energy company to help keep your home powered in the darker winter months. 

The Solution: Batteries

Earlier we mentioned that batteries and solar storage can be the ideal option for keeping the lights on when your block loses power. A high-quality solar contractor can help provide you with the best solar storage solution for your particular situation that will keep you safe when emergencies happen. Natural disasters and accidents happen, and being less reliant on the grid with solar power is the best way to avoid hectic and possibly dangerous situations from losing power. 

ACE Solar is the leading solar company in New England with a team of engineers, installers, and more that are highly knowledgable. Reach out to our team today if you’re interested in investing in a clean energy solution for your home or business.