SOLAR EXPLAINED / 02
The grid goes down.
Does your solar
stay on?
Standard grid-connected solar usually stops supplying power during an outage—even in full sunshine.
Backup takes more than panels. It needs equipment designed to safely operate your property independently of the grid.
See what changesGeneration makes energy.
A backup design keeps it available when the grid is out.
FOLLOW THE POWER
Same home. Four different situations.
Select a scenario to see which paths supply power. These are illustrative operating states, not a system design or performance estimate.
The grid is part of the system.
During daylight, solar can supply your home. The grid can cover demand that solar does not meet. This example shows a home using both sources, without a battery.
Power flows depend on actual production and demand; excess solar may be exported if the system and utility allow it.
WHY IT SWITCHES OFF
Power needs
a safe boundary.
Standard grid-connected solar must stop feeding an unavailable grid. Backup equipment creates a controlled local supply, separated from utility lines.
Never bypass isolation or attempt to backfeed a home through an outlet.
The grid becomes unavailable.
Standard solar stops supplying the home. Sunshine alone does not change this operating requirement.
Backup equipment isolates the property.
A compatible backup system disconnects its local supply from utility lines before powering supported circuits.
Available energy serves selected loads.
Solar and a charged battery can supply the backed-up circuits within the system’s limits. At night, stored energy is finite.
PLAN AROUND WHAT MATTERS
What would you want to keep running?
Choose a priority to see what belongs in the planning conversation. Selecting an item does not confirm that a particular battery can power it.
ESSENTIAL CIRCUITS
Start with a short, specific list.
Identify the circuits and equipment you want to support. A refrigerator’s starting demand matters; powering a router does not guarantee that your internet provider stays online.
What can run together?
Continuous output and equipment startup demand determine what the system can support at once.
How long can it run?
Available stored energy, your usage, and solar recharge determine how long backup lasts.
What is connected?
Only the circuits included in the backup design receive power. Battery ownership alone is not enough.
A FEW IMPORTANT DETAILS
Know what your system actually does.
Can solar ever provide backup without a battery?
Some specially configured systems offer limited daytime backup with compatible controls. That is different from standard grid-connected solar, depends on sunlight and load limits, and does not provide stored energy after sunset. Ask about the exact equipment and supported circuits.
Can solar recharge a battery while the grid is down?
Yes, in a compatible system configured for backup operation. Available sunlight, household demand, battery charge level, and system controls determine how much charging can occur. Poor weather can reduce recharge.
Does “whole-home backup” mean everything runs indefinitely?
No. The system still has power and energy limits. Large loads may require management, and stored energy can run out. Ask for a design based on your actual equipment and desired duration.
Can I add backup to the solar system I already have?
Possibly. The assessment needs your inverter and panel details, service equipment, existing system design, and backup goals. Compatibility, permits, and utility requirements determine the practical options.
FOR YOUR DFW HOME OR BUSINESS
Plan for the outage.
Not just the sunshine.
Bring your equipment list, any existing solar details, and what you want to keep powered.