Do Solar Panels Work During Blackouts?

July 26, 2025•4 min read

Let’s set the record straight.

You’ve invested in solar. Your panels are soaking up the California sun. Your electric bill? Cut in half. Everything’s running smooth.

Then a blackout hits.

And suddenly, you're wondering...

“Wait—do my solar panels still work?”

That’s not just a good question—it’s the question. Because when the lights go out, people want answers. Fast.

So let’s break it down in plain English. No tech talk. Just the truth about what happens when the grid goes down—and what solar can do about it.

First Things First: Solar Panels Produce Power—But Don’t Store It

Here’s where the confusion starts. Most people think, “I’ve got solar, so I’m energy independent, right?”

Well… sort of.

Your panels produce electricity when the sun is out. That part’s true. But in most homes, that energy goes directly into the grid, not into your house.

That’s how net metering works. You get credit for the extra energy you generate during the day—and use those credits at night when the sun’s down.

But here’s the catch:

When the grid goes down, your solar system shuts off.

Not because it has to—but because it has to play nice with the utility company. It’s a safety thing. If your solar keeps sending electricity into the grid during an outage, it could shock utility workers fixing the lines.

So your panels? They’re basically on pause.

Unless…

You’ve Got Backup Power

This is where things get exciting. If you’ve got a solar battery—like a Tesla Powerwall or Enphase system—you’re ahead of the game.

Here’s how it works:

Your panels charge your battery during the day.
Your battery powers your home during the blackout.
You stay cool. Your fridge stays cold. Your lights stay on.

That’s the dream, right?

With a solar-plus-storage setup, you’re not just producing energy. You’re keeping it. Saving it. Using it when the rest of the neighborhood goes dark.

It’s like having your own private power plant.

No Battery? There’s Still Hope

Maybe you didn’t install a battery when you first went solar. That’s okay.

You’ve got options.

Some newer systems include a feature called “islanding” or backup circuits. It lets your system disconnect from the grid and still power a few essential things—like your fridge, Wi-Fi, or medical devices.

But here’s the deal:

Not all systems can do this.
You need special inverters and equipment.
You have to set it up ahead of time.

So if you’re reading this after a blackout hits—sorry, it’s too late.

But if you're thinking ahead?

Smart move.

So… What Should You Do?

If you already have solar, find out if your system can handle outages. Give us a call—we’ll look it up, walk you through it, and tell you what’s possible.

If you don’t have solar yet, but blackouts are on your mind?

Here’s what we recommend:

Get solar with battery storage.
It’s the best protection money can buy—and right now, thanks to federal tax credits, it’s more affordable than ever.
Design your system with blackouts in mind.
Don’t just slap panels on your roof and call it a day. Think ahead. Plan for storms, wildfires, grid failures.
Work with a local team that gets it.
That’s us. We live in this community. We face the same outages. We know what works here—and what doesn’t.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Let’s be honest.

Blackouts used to be rare.

Now? They’re part of life in Northern California. Between heat waves, high winds, and overworked power grids, outages are no longer “if”—they’re “when.”

And during those moments, your solar system either works for you…

…or it sits on your roof doing nothing.

That choice is yours.