You’re considering your options for a more efficient home, and you’ve found that solar panels are a key component. You’ve also wondered, what happens during a blackout?
It’s a common question when families start to consider home solar design. Will the system keep producing, or will it go down with the rest of the grid? The answer can go one of two ways, depending on the type of system you install.
Let’s take a look at both scenarios so you can make an informed decision.
Solar Panels in Long Island During a Blackout
With a typical setup using solar panels in Long Island, your system will shut down when there’s a grid blackout. This is a safety feature. During a blackout, the grid needs to be protected from incoming sources, which is why your home will stop exporting. This protects equipment as well as linemen that could be working on restoring the power.
In this situation, you’ll lose power along with the rest of the grid, even though you have solar panels in Long Island. While major blackouts are rare, they do happen. The Northeast Blackout of 2003 was the largest in recent history, affecting tens of millions of homes. Long Island customers lost power for between four and eight hours on average.
Even without a major outage, localized power issues could become problematic. If you want consistent electricity even during maintenance periods or short-term blackouts, you can consider the next scenario.
Home Solar Designs with Battery Backup for Blackouts
If you’re going to make a significant investment in home solar design, you’ll want the most robust solution available. It’s possible to use a battery backup system for blackouts. If the power goes down, you’ll have stored electricity that can then be safely deployed around your home.
You could install a battery system to cover your critical appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers. Or, you could invest in a larger system that could power your home and all major and minor appliances, electronics, etc. for several hours.
The limitations of a battery system are determined by the space you have available and your total budget. Some systems could last for days when recharging with solar.
What are Solar Backup Battery Costs?
Solar backup battery costs can be consolidated with the installation of solar panels. There’s no average cost range because every customer is different. Not only are different systems used for different sized homes, but they are also customized based on the requirements of the homeowner.
If you want to learn about solar backup battery costs for your home, you can talk to us today for a complete energy evaluation. We’ll look at your home, calculate the solar energy that it can produce, and make a recommendation for a home solar design with battery backup, based on your budget.
What Happens During a Blackout – The Bottom Line
What happens during a blackout when you have solar panels in Long Island? With a battery backup system, you could enjoy uninterrupted power at home. Even without a battery solution, an efficient home solar design could eliminate Long Island’s expensive electric bills for your family, allowing you to save more, spend on other areas of home improvement, or simply enjoy more financial freedom.
For the most reliable home solar design in Long Island, contact the team at Long Island Power Solutions.
All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
