Introduction
Power outages are a nuisance at best and dangerous at their worst. Whether it's for a few hours, days, or even weeks, unexpected outages can bring life to a halt. Reasons for grid outages vary, but it's important to realize that the U.S. energy infrastructure is outdated and long overdue for an overhaul — evidenced by recent major blackouts in Texas and California that left millions without power.
So what can you do to protect your home or business? Equip yourself with a backup power solution. This article covers the common misconception that all solar comes with backup power, then walks through the backup solutions available to you.
A common solar backup misconception
It is commonly misconceived that installing solar means you'll produce energy even when the grid goes down. That's possible with added backup equipment, but it is not the case for a standard solar panel system. A standard grid-tied solar panel system is designed to turn off when the grid goes down.
Here's why. All standard grid-tied systems come equipped with a rapid shutdown device. This device recognizes when the grid loses power and shuts off your solar panel system, preventing it from back-feeding energy into the grid and endangering utility workers. The only way around this is to install additional backup equipment alongside your solar panel system.
Backup power solutions
Backup power solutions are designed to provide energy when you need it most. Here are the types of battery backup systems you can add to a solar panel system.
Sunlight backup
Thanks to Enphase IQ8 microinverters, powering your home with just your solar panel system is now possible. If the grid goes down during sunlight hours, your system can back up a few breakers. Upgrading to sunlight backup requires IQ8 microinverters, an Enphase IQ controller, and an essential loads solution.
- Pros: Have power when the sun is out
- Cons: You can only back up a few small breakers, and only while the sun is shining
- Power capacity: Basics — phones, WiFi, lights, or a fridge
Home essentials battery backup
This is by far the most common backup solution we install for our customers. Adding a home essentials battery system lets you store excess power your panels produce, and if the grid goes down the battery automatically transfers power to supply a priority breaker panel. This requires either IQ7 or IQ8 microinverters, an Enphase IQ controller, an Enphase IQ battery, and an essential loads solution.
- Pros: Backup power standing by when you need it most
- Cons: Increased project cost depending on battery size needed
- Power capacity: Basics plus HVAC, heat pumps, washer/dryer
Whole-home battery backup
Whole-home battery systems are for those who don't want to sacrifice any functionality during a grid outage. Properly designed and installed, you can go about your normal routine even if the grid is down. This normally requires multiple Enphase batteries, but power from them plugs directly into your existing breaker panel(s) so all your loads are backed up. Requires IQ7 or IQ8 microinverters, an Enphase IQ controller, and multiple Enphase batteries.
- Pros: Backup power without compromise
- Cons: Increased project cost depending on battery size needed
- Power capacity: Whole home
Side-by-side comparison
| Home energy goals | Solar only | Sunlight backup | Home essentials | Whole-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Save money on your power bill | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Help the environment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power basics during an outage (phones, WiFi, lights, a fridge) | — | With sunlight | Day or night | Day or night |
| Power essentials during an outage (HVAC, heat pumps, washer/dryer) | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Power your entire home during an outage | — | — | — | Yes |
Battery tax incentives
Battery backup systems qualify for the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) as long as their main power comes from a renewable energy source like solar. This means you can combine the cost of your solar panel system and your backup battery system and qualify for a credit based on total project costs. Credit percentages are set by legislation and have changed over time, so confirm the current rate for your placed-in-service year.
Choosing the option that's best for you
Choosing the right backup solution comes down to the level of security you're after. The good news is that battery systems can always be added or expanded later. A lot of Solar Wave customers like to use the savings from their solar panel system to pay for their batteries, and batteries can be financed as well.
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Tell us what you want to keep running during an outage and we'll size a system around it.
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Steven Weaver
Steven is the founder of Solar Wave and has dedicated the last seven years of his career to the solar industry. After consulting for multiple solar companies across the US he founded Solar Wave in Denver, Colorado. Solar Wave is on a mission to continue the rapid deployment of residential and commercial solar in Colorado by offering the best solar equipment and installation services at the lowest prices possible.
