After moving into a home with 15 fully paid-off solar panels, one resident assumed their setup could at least cover a handful of necessities when the grid goes down.
Instead, they were told adding outage backup would cost more than $10,000.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit thread on the site's r/SolarDIY forum, a homeowner explained that the grid-tied setup generates more electricity than the home uses but still shuts off during power outages.
This original poster asked, "What is the absolute cheapest way to utilize even a small portion of an existing grid-tied solar system during a power outage?" The OP added, "I'm really just looking for the most affordable, bare-bones solution that would allow us to access some of the energy our panels are producing during an emergency."
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Replies to the post explained that getting existing rooftop solar to work in a blackout usually involves more than a simple add-on.
One user replied, "You need a battery, a new inverter and a transfer switch that can switch between grid connected and battery. And a qualified electrician to install it. The big cost right now seems to be the batteries."
A second commenter similarly added, "your best bet is to buy a battery system, charge it when you have excess solar power and then plug in whatever you need during a power outage. Integrating a battery system into your existing setup will be expensive."
A third user explained that "AC coupling a hybrid inverter/battery is how you do this. $10,000 isn't absurd, the parts are $4,000 on the low side of things."
Several commenters emphasized that the cheapest practical alternative is often a separate portable battery for key loads such as a fridge, freezer, internet, or lights. They also noted that this route usually does not let the installed rooftop panels provide power during an outage, though.
What can be done?
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, especially if your system can produce excess power. If you're comparing rooftop options or wondering whether pricing is competitive, EnergySage can help you get free installation estimates and compare quotes.
With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with solar panel incentives for each state.
And as explained by the Reddit thread, adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners who want to compare battery options and installation pricing can also explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage, including competitive installation estimates.
More From EnergySage
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Where can I learn more?
These stories explore the backup options homeowners consider after learning their solar panels will not run during an outage.
• Solar owners on Reddit said full-home battery backup can make outages almost disappear.
• For blackout-prone households, a home battery storage unit can protect food and the internet.
• In California, one homeowner showed that solar kept his lights on through a neighborhood blackout.
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