Why Solar Panels Alone Don’t Work During a Power Outage
- Fabian Wells
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that most solar systems shut down when the power goes out even on a bright, sunny day.
If you’ve invested in solar or are considering it for backup power, understanding why this happens is critical.
At Sundown Solar, this is one of the most common questions we get from Texas homeowners. Let’s break it down clearly.
The Common Solar Myth
“If I have solar panels, I’ll still have power during a blackout.”
This is only true if your system includes battery backup or is designed to operate off-grid.
Standard grid-tied solar systems do not provide power during an outage, and that’s not a flaw it’s a safety requirement.
Why Grid-Tied Solar Shuts Off During Outages
Most homes in Texas have grid-tied solar systems, meaning:
Your solar panels produce electricity during the day
That power flows into your home first
Any excess power is sent back to the utility grid
When the grid goes down, your inverter is required by code to shut off. This is called anti-islanding protection.
Why is this required?
If your system stayed on:
It could send power into downed utility lines
This puts utility workers and first responders at risk
For safety reasons, solar inverters must automatically shut down when the grid fails.
What Happens During a Blackout with Solar Only?
If you have:
Solar panels
A grid-tied inverter
No battery backup
Then during an outage:
Your solar system shuts down
Your home loses power
Your panels sit idle—even in full sunlight
This is often the biggest disappointment homeowners experience after going solar without storage.
How Battery Backup Changes Everything
Adding a battery backup system allows your solar system to:
✅ Continue producing power during outages
✅ Store excess solar energy for night use
✅ Automatically disconnect from the grid (island mode)
✅ Power essential loads or your entire home
With the right system design, your home becomes self-sufficient during blackouts.
Feature Solar Only Solar + Battery
Works during outage | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Power at night | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Grid independence | ❌ No | ✅ Partial or Full |
Backup for AC & appliances | ❌ No | ✅ With proper sizing |
Protection from grid failures | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
What About Generators?
Generators can help but they:
Require fuel
Need maintenance
Are noisy
Often don’t integrate cleanly with solar
Solar + battery systems are silent, automatic, and renewable, making them a long-term solution rather than an emergency band-aid.
The Right System Depends on Your Goals
At Sundown Solar, we design systems based on how you actually want to live, not one-size-fits-all packages.
We ask questions like:
Do you want full-home backup or just essentials?
Do you want AC running during outages?
How long do you want to stay powered?
Do you want to eventually go off-grid?
Your answers determine the system design.
The Bottom Line
☀️ Solar panels alone do NOT provide backup power
🔋 Battery storage is required to stay powered during outages
⚡ Proper design matters more than panel count
If backup power matters to you and in Texas, it should solar without batteries is incomplete.
Ready for Real Backup Power?
If you want:
Power during blackouts
Protection from grid instability
A system designed for Texas conditions
👉 Schedule a consultation with Sundown Solar
We’ll evaluate your current system or design a new one built for reliability
not just savings.
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