{Solar|Panels for Solar} Panels {and Power|as well as Power|and power} Outages
{Solar|Panels for Solar} Panels {and Power|as well as Power|and power} Outages
Alternative {power sources such as|sources of power like|power sources like} solar {can be used to|power can|panels can} keep you {powered up|running|powered} even {if the grid is|when the grid is|if the grid goes} {down in case of|out of commission in the event of a natural|shut down due to a} {disaster|catastrophe|an emergency}. Solar panels {are not enough|will not suffice|can’t be enough}. {You will need|There will be|You’ll need} {backup batteries to keep you|batteries that can be used as backups to keep your} {powered up during an|running during an|functioning during a power} {outage|interruption}. {Let’s learn everything you need|Learn everything you can|We’ll teach you everything} {about|regarding} solar {panel systems in case|panel systems for when|panels in the event that} the power {goes out|is cut off}.
{Do solar panels work|Are solar panels functional|Do solar panels function} {during a power outage|in the event of a power failure|when there is a power outage}?
{You have|There are} {shiny solar panels on the|sparkling solar panels on your|shining solar panels on your} roof. {Now you can|You can now|Now you’re able to} {generate a lot of your|produce a significant amount of|generate lots of} {electricity|electric power|energy}. {You’re almost free from|You’re nearly free of|It’s almost time to stop paying} {power bills and|electricity bills and you’ll|the cost of electricity and can} {feel like|have the feeling of|are feeling like} an environmentalist. {One windy night, a|A stormy night|One stormy night, a} storm {knocks down a large|slams into a huge|causes the destruction of a massive} tree {on your block,|that is on your block|in your neighborhood,} and {then the|then|the} power {goes out|is cut off}. {Will your refrigerator still be|What happens to your refrigerator|Is your refrigerator} {working when the sun rises|functioning when the sun rises|operating when the sun sets} {above|over} the {horizon|sky|surface of the horizon}? {Most likely not|Most likely not}.
{You are most likely|Most likely, you are|It is likely that you are} connected to {your local electric|your electric|the local} {grid tied solar system if|grid-connected solar system if|grid-connected solar system when} {you have solar panels|there are solar panels|your solar panel is}{ installed| mounted|} {on your roof|in your roofing|at the top of your home}. This means {that you get|you receive|that you are getting} {power from the utility company|electricity from the utility company|energy from the utility provider} {during the day and|throughout the day, and also|in the morning and at times} {when your solar panels|in the event that your solar panel|whenever your solar panels} {don’t|fail to|do not} {produce enough energy|generate enough energy|produce enough power}. {When your panels produce|If your panels generate|When your panels generate} more energy than {you require|you need|what you require}{, you also send power| and you want to send it| then you send power} to them.
{Most home solar panels|The majority of solar panels for homes|The majority of solar panels in homes} are designed to{ be|} {shut down when the|turned off when|removed when the} power {goes out|is cut off}. {This prevents them from feeding|They are unable to feed|This stops them from feeding} {power back into any|electricity back to any|electricity back to} wires that {could|may|might} {have caused the outage|be the cause of the outage|have caused the power outage}. {You don’t want your panels|It is not a good idea for your panels|Your panels shouldn’t be able} to {cause utility workers injury|injure utility workers} {by the live|due to the live|because of the} voltage {that is affected|that is impacted|that’s impacted} by {downed power lines|power lines that have been shut down|the downed power lines}.
{What good are|What’s the point of|What’s the purpose of installing} solar panels {on a roof|that are placed on roofs|for a roof}? If they {can’t produce|don’t generate|aren’t able to generate} electricity? {You have to find|It is necessary to find|There must be} {a way|ways|an option} to {keep the electricity on|ensure that electricity is on|keep electricity running}. {How about|What about|Are there} batteries? {Or preventing solar energy flowing|or preventing solar energy from flowing|Also, how can solar energy not flow} {to the grid if|to the grid when|into the grid if} {it’s down|it’s not working|the grid is down}.
Why {don't solar panels work|can't solar panels function|are solar panels not working} {in a blackout|during blackouts|even in blackouts}?
{The majority of|Most} homeowners {who have|with} solar panels {on their homes|installed on their home|in their homes} {are|have them|can be} “grid-tied,” which is when the panels are connected {with|to|by} an inverter.
The inverter {connects to the|is connected to the|connects to your} main AC panel {of the house|in the home|inside the house} {as well as a special|and also a|along with a} {smart electric meter|electronic meter|electric meter that is smart}. This {enables you to record|allows you to track|allows you to keep track of} {both the energy you receive|the power you get} from {the utility company and|your utility provider and|the utility company as well as} the {energy your solar panels|solar energy you|energy that your solar panels} {send|transmit} {to the|back to|into the} grid. {Grid-tied solar systems do not|Grid-connected solar systems don’t|Grid-connected solar systems do not} require {any backup batteries|backup batteries|batteries for backup}.
This is {why|the reason|the reason why} {home solar experts often say|experts in solar home systems often state|solar experts from home often claim}{ that the grid is their battery| they are their own battery|”the grid” is the battery of their system}. {Your solar system can produce|Solar panels can generate|Your solar system could generate} {excess energy and you get|surplus energy, and you can also get|extra energy, and you earn} credit from{ your|} neighbors. {However, when|But, when|When} the sun {goes down you|sets, you|goes down , you} still {require|need} grid {power from your utility company|energy from your utility company|electricity from your utility provider}. {You can|You could|It is possible to} {get a power bill|receive a bill for power|pay for electricity} {as low|at as little|that is as low} as $0.01 {if you do|If you follow|when you keep} {this balance act right|this right|the right balance}.
A typical grid-tied {system will have|system has|device will have} an automatic shut-off {to stop|feature to prevent|that stops} any {extra energy being sent|additional energy from being transmitted|extra energy from flowing} {over damaged power lines|through damaged power lines|over power lines that are damaged} in the {event|case} of {a blackout|an outage|the power grid going out}. This {safety feature protects|feature is designed to protect|security feature safeguards} line workers{ who are out| who are|} fixing {things when they break|their equipment when it breaks|broken things}.
{However, this|But this|However, it} {doesn’t mean your house won’t|does not mean that your home won’t|does not mean your home will not} {receive the solar system|be able to benefit from solar power|get solar energy}. If your {house is in|home is in|home is under} {a blackout,|an electrical blackout,|the middle of a blackout, then} {your solar system goes out|the solar system will be shut off|your solar system is shut off}.
{How can you use|How can you harness|What can you do with} solar {power to survive|energy to withstand|power to get through} {a power outage|an outage in power|the power outage}?
There are {several ways|a variety of ways|many ways that} {you can|to} {keep your home running even|keep your home functioning even|ensure that your home is running} {if the|when the|in the event that} power {goes out|is cut off|is lost}.
- {Make sure to use|Be sure to have|Use} {a backup|an emergency|an additional} gas generator
- {Solar batteries can be added to your system|The solar batteries are a great addition to any system.|Batteries from solar can also be added into your systems}
- {Solar-powered generators are a good|Generators powered by solar energy are a great|Solar-powered generators are an excellent} {option|alternative}
- {Your inverter|The inverter you have|Inverters} {can be replaced with|is able to be replaced by|could be replaced with} {an|the|one of the} Enphase Ensemble or Sunny Boy {system|system.}
1. Backup gas generator
{Although we solar-lovers aren’t inclined|While we solar-lovers don’t tend|Even though we solar-lovers tend not} to {advocate burning|burn|encourage burning} {things to generate power|objects to produce power|items to generate electricity}{, the best| The best| the most effective} {way to ensure|method to make sure|method of ensuring} {you have backup power|that you are able to get backup power|that you’re prepared} in {case of an|the event of an|the event of a power} outage is to {purchase|buy|invest in} {a|an electric|the} generator.
{You can purchase a gas|You can buy a gas|It is possible to purchase a gasoline} generator {with a capacity of|that can produce|that has a power capacity of} {9,000 watts for $1,400 plus|9000 watts for $1400, which includes|9,900 watts at $1,400. This includes} {fuel and installation costs|the cost of installation and fuel|installation and fuel costs}. This {will allow|allows|can allow} you to {power|run} your entire {house|home|home,} {while utility workers restore|while the utility crews restore|as utility workers repair} the grid.
{You can often outlast any|It is possible to survive an|You are able to usually last through an} {extended outage by having|long-lasting outage with|prolonged outage by using} {a generator|an engine|an electric generator} and fuel. If {you have|you need|you’re forced} to, you {can even|could|may be able to} {help|assist} your {neighbor|neighbour}. {While your solar panels won’t|Although your solar panels will not|Even though your solar panels won’t} be able {to turn on|to start|turn on} {again until the grid is|until the grid is|again until the grid has been} {restored, at least|restored, at the very least|repaired, at least} {you will have|you’ll have|you’ll be able to} {power|electricity|energy}.
{Cons of|The cons of having} {a backup|an emergency|the backup} generator
{Gas generators can be noisy|Gas generators can be loud|Generators that run on gas can be loud}{, obnoxious, and| and obnoxious. They also| or obnoxious and can} {pollute the environment|pollute the surroundings|cause environmental pollution}. Imagine the {noise|sound} and smell{ that would be| that could be|} {created if your|produced if your|generated if the} generators were {run simultaneously|simultaneously run|operated simultaneously} by {your ten nearest neighbors|the ten closest neighbors|the neighbors of your ten most close}.
{You also run the risk|There is also the possibility|Also, you run the risk} {of your fire starting|that your fire could start|of your fire bursting} {because of stored fuel|due to the fuel stored|due to stored fuel}. This {can happen|could happen|is a possibility} {if you fill near|when you fill up near|in the event that you fill} the hot metal {parts on|parts of|components on} {a generator|the generator|an engine}. {It is not good|It’s not a good idea|It’s not ideal} {if your power goes out|when your power is cut off|to lose power} {due to increased fire risk|because of the increased risk of fire|due to a higher risk of fire}.
{Although|While} {there are cleaner generators|it is true that there exist cleaner power generators|some cleaner engines are available} {that run|running} {on natural gas or diesel|using diesel or natural gas|on diesel or natural gas}{, the cost of any| however the price of any| but the cost of anything} {more is very|additional generator is extremely|higher is quite} {high|expensive}. The power {outage shows|outage demonstrates|failure shows} that natural gas {can be|is} {very unstable, even in|extremely unstable, even during|extremely unstable, even in} winter blackouts.
Generators aren’t {a great choice|the best option|the most ideal choice}{, other than the low| apart from the high| aside from the affordable} {price|cost}. Let’s {take a look at|look at|examine} {some solar options, including|the various solar options, including|several solar options, such as} {the so-called solar generators|the solar generators that are described|those referred to as solar generators} in the {section below|following section|next section}.
2. Solar battery
{A solar battery system is the|Solar battery systems are the|The solar-powered battery is your} {best|ideal|most reliable} {option for complete|solution to have|choice for} {peace of mind in times|assurance in the event|security in the event} of power {outages|interruptions|failures}.
{Nothing can beat the feeling|It’s hard to beat the feeling|There is nothing like the sensation} of {being the only home|having the sole home|being the only house} {on the block that has|on the block with|in the neighborhood that keeps} the lights on{ even after|, even after|, even when} the grid {goes out|is cut off|has gone out}. {However, the generous among|But, those who are generous among|However, the most generous of} us would {rather have|prefer to see|like to have} {all our neighbors enjoy|everyone else enjoy|all of our neighbors have} the same {privilege|benefits}. The {transition|switch} {from grid power to battery backup power|between grid and battery power|of power from the grid to backup battery} {can|could} be {seamless and reassuring|smooth and relaxing|effortless and comforting} {with a solar|by using a solar|by using a solar-powered} battery.
There are {many options available|a variety of options to choose from|numerous options to choose from}. From a {bank|bank’s} {deep cycle lead-acid battery|of deep-cycle lead acid batteries|led-acid deep cycle battery}{ to|, to} the sleek and {easy-to-use|user-friendly|simple} Tesla Powerwall, there are {many|numerous options|several options}. Solar installers are {skilled in|adept at|proficient in} {installing solar panels alongside|the installation of solar panels in conjunction with|setting up solar panels along with} batteries, {so you may|and you could|so you might} be {surprised by the variety|pleasantly surprised by the range|amazed by the array} of Powerwall {options|alternatives|choices} {available|that are available|offered}.
There are many {certified|accredited} installers {that|who} {can|are able to} install Tesla {if you have|If you’ve got|when you have} your {heart set|desire|desires}. There are {many options for|a variety of options available to|many options available to} {you if you are open-minded|those who are open|you if you’re open-minded} and {willing to explore|open to exploring|are willing to investigate} {your options|the possibilities}. {You can find batteries|There are batteries available|There are many batteries available} from companies {such as|like} [xfield_company] {that are comparable|which are similar|that are similar} in {price and functionality|terms of price and performance|both price and function} to Tesla’s.
Solar {without|with|with no} batteries (i.e. {A solar-plus battery installation is|A solar-plus battery installation|The solar-plus installation does} {not like solar without|not the same as solar with|different from solar without} batteries (i.e. {Your little solar island|The solar island you have installed|The tiny solar island} will charge and {discharge the|discharge|drain the} {batteries throughout the day|battery throughout the entire day|batteries all day long}{,|} even {though|if|when} the blackout {is still|remains|is} in {effect|place}. {You can continue running|It is possible to continue operating|It can run} {this way even if|in this manner even if|this way even when} {there is a power cut|there’s a power outage|there’s a power interruption}.
3. Solar generator
For {a few|around a|about a} {hundred dollars,|hundreds of dollars|thousand dollars,} you {can|could} {get|purchase|buy} {a|an|the} “solar generator” from {[xfield_company] that|the [xfield_company] which} {will at least|will|can at a minimum} {keep your food warm and|ensure that your meals are warm as well as|make sure your meal is warm, and keep} {your space heater running|the space heater on|also keep your space heater in operation}.
{Keep in mind|Be aware|Remember} that {these portable options|portable devices|these portable solutions} {are able to be charged|can be charged|are able to charge} {with or against|by|using solar panels or} solar {panels when|panel when|panels while} the {grid’s|grid is} {up|in use}. However, without the same equipment required for a full-solar-plus-storage system, they will not charge from solar when it is down.
4. {An inverter or inverter system|Inverter systems or an inverter|A system of inverters or inverters} that is {unique|distinctive|distinct}
{There is an easy way|It is possible|There’s a simple way} {for homeowners with|homeowners who have|homeowners with} solar panels to {make use of|benefit from|use} the energy {they produce|they generate|produced by solar panels} without {having|the need|needing} {to connect to the|be connected to|connecting to the} grid{ or have| or|, or} to {set up|install|create} energy storage. [xfield_company] {that produces special|produces|which makes} solar inverters. {These inverters are programmed|The inverters are programmed|They are designed} to automatically {disconnect from|cut off from|shut off} {the grid in the event|power grids in case|electricity grid in event} of{ a|} power {failure while still supplying|outage, while still supplying|interruption, but still provide} {energy from your solar energy|the energy you need from solar|power from solar energy}.
{Most solar inverters come with|The majority of solar inverters have|Most solar inverters include} the automatic shut-off{ that| feature|} we {mentioned above|discussed above|have mentioned previously}. {However, some inverters allow|Some inverters permit|Certain inverters, however, allow} homeowners to {convert to|switch to|convert their homes to} solar systems when {there is|there’s} no {power|electricity}.
{Other inverter is limited|The other inverter is restricted|Another inverter is limited} to {producing 2,000 watts per|generating 2,000 watts per|generating 2,000 watts an} {hour|minute|period} {of|in|or} “opportunity {energy|power|electricity}” and {can be|is able to|it can} {shut down if it draws|removed if it is drawing|stopped if it uses} {too much|excessive} {power|energy}. It {only works|is only operational|only operates} {when|only when} {the sun is shining|it is sunny|sunlight is on}.
It {might|may|could} {seem like a lot,|appear like a lot,|seem like a lot} {but it’s only|however, it’s just|but this is only} 20 {100-watt light bulbs|light bulbs of 100 watts|light bulbs with a power of 100 watts}. {It is not|This isn’t|It’s not} enough to {power|provide power to|supply power to} an air {conditioner|cooling unit|conditioning unit}. Only {essential appliances are eligible|the most essential appliances qualify|essential appliances can be eligible} {for opportunity power|for power-up opportunities|to use opportunity power}. {You can plug in|Plug in|You can connect} your {refrigerator and lamp,|lamp and refrigerator,|fridge and lamp} {along with your TV|as well as your television|together with your TV} {and smartphone,|and mobile phone,|as well as your smartphone} to {keep yourself company|keep you busy|ensure you are in good company}.
{Inverter’s total cost and the|The total cost of the inverter and its|The total price of an inverter as well as the} outlet {may be $1,000 higher|could be $1000 more|might be higher by $1,000} than an inverter {with|that has|equipped with} the backup {feature|option}. This {might be an appealing|could be a desirable|may be an attractive} {option if you consider|alternative if you take into account|choice if you think about} the {10-year life span|10 year life-span|10-year lifespan} {of the inverter|that the inverter has|for the unit}.
[xfield_company] is {a company|a business|an organization} {that has worked|which has been working|who has worked} {hard to make solar work|to ensure that solar power is available|to get solar to work} {even when the grid goes|regardless of the grid going|even when the grid is} down. {[xfield_company] energy management system|The energy management system of [xfield_company]|The energy management system} and {micro inverters work together|micro inverters work|micro-inverters work in tandem} to {produce|create|generate} “grid-agnostic” solar {power|energy}. It {can transmit|is able to transmit|can transfer} {power from|the power generated by|energy from} {your solar panels|the solar panels|the solar panels you have installed} to your appliances {as|for as|so} long as {there is|there’s} enough {sunlight, even without batteries|sunlight, even without batteries|sunlight. It can also work without batteries}.
[xfield_company] {would prefer that|prefers that|would prefer} you {buy|purchase} its energy storage {solution|system|system in conjunction} {with the [xfield_company] system|using the [xfield_company] system|through the [xfield_company] solution}. This {would allow|will allow|will enable} your home to {run 24/7|operate 24 hours a day|run 24 hours per day} {from stored|by storing|using stored} solar energy. {You might also be willing|You may also want|It is possible} to {spend several thousand more|pay a few thousand dollars more|shell out a few thousand} {for [xfield_company] microinverters|for microinverters from [xfield_company]|on microinverters for the [xfield_company] company} or the [xfield_company{]|} system.
Why {not get off-grid|should we not go off grid|don't we go off the grid}?
{People who are looking|If you are trying|Individuals who want} to {eliminate all|get rid of all|completely eliminate} fossil fuels{ and make sure| and ensure|, and make sure} that only {clean|renewable} {energy flows|electricity flows|power is flowing} through their {wires may|lines could|pipes could} {be inclined to go completely|decide to go|consider going completely} {off-grid|off grid}. {This is an option|It is an option|This is a possibility}{, however it can be| but it could be| however it is} {very expensive|extremely expensive|expensive}.
{Although going solar is less|While going solar is more|Even though going solar is now less} {expensive than ever|costly than ever before|cost-effective than ever}{, it can still be| however, it is| but it’s still} {a significant financial commitment|an expensive financial commitment|an investment of a substantial amount}. {Choosing an off-grid setup|The choice of an off-grid system|Making the decision to go off grid} {can prove very costly|could be very expensive|can be extremely costly}. A small{, off-grid system| off-grid setup|, off-grid solution} {that includes battery storage can|with battery storage could|that has battery storage may} {cost thousands more|cost more|be more expensive} than one {connected|that is connected} {to the|with the|to} grid. This is {because of|due to} the {high-priced hardware required|expensive hardware needed|costly hardware that is required}.
Off-grid batteries {must|should|have to} be {capable of providing|able to provide|able to supply} {the right amount of|enough|sufficient} {electricity for you during|power for|energy for you through} three {snowy and cloudy days|days of cloudy and snowy weather|cloudy, snowy days} {in the|during|in} winter. {While it might seem excessive|Although it may seem like a lot|While this may seem like an excessive amount} {in the|in|during} summer, you {don’t|do not|wouldn’t} {want your home to be without power|wish to have your house without electricity|need your residence to go without power}{ and have| and|, and} {to resort to a fossil-fuel|to use a fossil fuel|the option of a fossil-fuel} generator. {This puts you back to|That puts you back at|It’s back to} {square one|the beginning|starting from scratch}.