Would solar panels be able to power your home in a power cut? And if so, how do you use them in this scenario?
One significant benefit of installing solar panels is the ability to utilise the sun's abundant and free energy to power your home, which can lead to substantial savings on your energy bills.
Additionally, solar panels increase your energy independence by reducing reliance on the national grid. This can be particularly advantageous during power outages, as a properly equipped solar system can keep your home powered even when the grid is down.
However, it's crucial to recognise that achieving full energy independence with solar power in the UK is not straightforward. Approximately 90% of households may not be able to rely entirely on solar energy due to factors like the variable British climate and the specific technical requirements of their systems.
What specific type of system is needed to make this a reality? These are critical considerations for anyone thinking about solar energy in the UK.
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Will Your Solar System Work In A Power Cut?
Firstly, why do systems shut down when in a power cut?
In the UK, solar systems are typically "grid-tied," meaning they are integrated into your home's incoming electrical supply. They operate within specific frequency ranges and voltage parameters to ensure compatibility with the grid.
Importantly, the system includes a grid-tied inverter that also connects to the earth provided by the grid supplier or District Network Operator (DNO).
During a power outage, the inverter's control system loses its connection to the grid frequency and earth. This disconnection triggers the system to shut down automatically.
This shutdown occurs for two critical safety reasons:
There's no assurance that the earth connection maintained by the grid is still functional. In the event of a fault, the system cannot establish a ground, which is necessary for safety.
If the solar system continued to operate during a grid outage, it could inadvertently export power back to the grid. This poses a significant risk to DNO personnel working on the lines, who might encounter unexpected live wires, potentially leading to severe injury.
These safety protocols are essential to prevent accidents and ensure the system operates safely within the broader grid infrastructure.
We have also reviewed the best solar panels and covered how long solar panels last in the UK.
How To Make Sure You Can Use Your Solar Panels In A Power Cut
Currently, the only way to ensure continuous power during a grid outage is to operate your home as an off-grid system, which involves disconnecting from the reliability and security provided by the National Grid.
For homes already off-grid with solar panels, the system should operate normally without any grid interaction. However, for those connected to the grid, there are steps you can take to prepare for temporary disconnections:
How to Temporarily Disconnect from the Grid
A common solution is to install a relay system alongside your solar panels and battery storage. This setup is often described as an Emergency Power Supply (EPS), but essentially, it involves a switch mechanism.
The relay, or switch, allows your solar-generated electricity to continue powering your home in a process known as "islanding." This means that the electricity is used solely by your home and does not feed back into the grid during an outage.
It's crucial to consider the capacity of your battery storage in this setup. You'll want a battery large enough to power your home for an extended period, including high-energy appliances like ovens, to ensure complete independence during outages. This strategic preparation can help maintain your household's functionality without grid power.
Still learning about solar panels? Explore our helpful guides on various topics, including solar panel grants, payback periods, the mechanics of solar energy, determining the number of panels you need, and solar car charging solutions.
If I have a solar battery, will my power stay on?
Like solar inverters, most battery systems are grid-tied and for the same reasons as a solar system, they’ll shut down in the event of a power cut.
There are battery systems on the market which can operate, these batteries have something called a “gateway”.
A battery gateway is a device which sits between the incoming supply and the rest of the power in your home. In the event of a power failure, the gateway can disconnect your home from the incoming supply and use its grounding connection to provide an earth.
Currently, there are three battery systems in the UK which can be wired with a gateway.
Heatable supplies and install these compatible systems, get your quote online here.
Brand | Model | Battery capacity | Can keep solar operating in a grid event? |
Tesla | Powerwall 2 | 13.5 KWh | Yes |
Tesla | Powerwall 3 | 13.5 KWh | Yes |
GivEnergy | All In One | 13.5 KWh | Yes |
If I don’t have a suitable battery, is there any way my solar can still operate?
Just as a battery needs a “gateway” to operate in a grid event, a solar system would need to be installed with one to still function.
Currently, there are no approved gateways for solar systems in the UK. However, by 2025 Enphase will be bringing their “system controller” to the UK market. This will enable your solar system to still function in a grid event if connected to its microinverter systems.
The good news is that you can add an Enphase system gateway at a later date to your Heatable solar system, get your quote here.
Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
Should You Install A Solar Battery In Case Of A Power Cut?
If you want to increase your energy security and ensure the lights stay on in the event of a temporary power cut, then installing battery storage may be a good idea.
According to Energy Guide, around 25% of households experience them annually in the UK, so it's an even better idea if you fall into this category.
But even if you do not fall into this group, a solar battery is a good idea for multiple other reasons too - here's why:
A solar battery allows you to consume more of the energy generated from your solar panels.
It allows you to store excess energy for use in the evenings - as opposed to drawing it from the grid.
It ultimately reduces your reliance on the National Grid.
It also has the potential to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing your reliance on electricity from the National Grid, which is not always renewable, unlike your panels that produce 100% clean electricity.
It allows you to store energy from the grid when it's at its cheapest.
It provides you with a reliable power backup in the event of a blackout.
It allows you to avoid giving more of your hard-earned money to energy companies.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get a Quote for Solar Today
Without boasting you should get your solar installed with us, here's why:
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Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.
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Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
