Q: If I install photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of my home, and the electric power grid goes down in my area, will the solar panels still supply electricity for my home while the public power system is out?
A:Β No, they will not supply power in a blackout because you are still technically connected to the public power grid. As you probably know, your solar system is designed to sell extra electricity from your panels to the grid β operated by your local public utility β in order to defray some costs of your system. Itβs the concept known as βnet-metering.β But at the same time, the public power system is still connected to your house to keep your electricity going on shady days or during the night when your panels do not supply enough power.
Now, you can go off the grid completely and supply all your own power, but youβd have to install very, very expensive batteries β perhaps in your garage βwhere you would store your excess electrical power for times when your panels are not producing electricity. To sum up the situation, homes with solar panels may lose power in the event of a grid outage if they donβt have some backup form of energy storage, like the batteries.
For more tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated “Rosie on the House” radio program, heard Saturday from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
