Number one reason people go solar? To save up on those racking energy bills. But that is not all solar is a reliable backup during black outs. When the lights go out, solar energy can be your saving grace. You can stay powered up with the right setup and keep your home running during a power outage. But how do you go from being in total darkness to powering your home with solar? Let us explain the basics of setting up a solar backup and how you can manage your system during a power outage.
The Basics Of Solar Backup Power During A Power Outage
The first step in setting up backup solar power in an emergency is installing a battery storage system such as Tesla’s Powerwall or Sonnen’s Eco. These systems are designed specifically to store solar energy when needed—like during a blackout. Generally, these systems come with an inverter and monitoring system that allows you to track your energy usage. The number of batteries you need will depend on the size of your home and the amount of energy you typically use. It’s important to note that most states require special permits for installing these systems and professional installation by licensed electricians trained in working with them.
Managing Your Solar Backup System During A Power Outage
Once your backup system is installed, it’s important to know how to manage it when there is no grid power available. Turn off all non-essential appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators until you can be sure they won’t draw too much current from the batteries. Failure to do so could cause them to overheat or, even worse explode due to too much current. Consider investing in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which will provide short-term AC power in case of a blackout. This will give you time to shut everything down safely before switching to battery power if necessary.
Furthermore, ensure all light switches are off as soon as the outage begins – this will help conserve energy and decrease strain on the batteries while still providing light for safety purposes if needed. Additionally, ensure any appliances or electronics connected directly to outlets powered by your backup system are off when not in use. It will save energy and help ensure that your backup system lasts through multiple blackouts without needing recharging or replacement parts sooner than expected.
Takeaway
Using solar during a power outage can be invaluable for keeping your home running smoothly throughout extended outages. Investigating a reliable battery storage technology such as Tesla’s Powerwall or Sonnen’s Eco makes managing your solar backup system more manageable and stress-free during an outage. Having an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) on hand will give you peace of mind knowing that any sensitive equipment connected directly to outlets powered by your backup system won’t suffer any damage when the blackout occurs. So if you’re looking for reliable backup power sources during emergencies, look no further than solar. If you need assistance setting up the solar backup get in touch with our experts for solar installation services. Let us help you go solar!