Solar battery backup

A solar battery can provide backup when the power goes out.

Solar batteries typically work by storing your excess energy generated during the day, so that you can use it at night. Batteries can also provide backup power in the event of a blackout, though not every solar battery comes with backup functionality. The vector image shows a transmission pole on the electricity grid with a cross over it. Beside it is an image of a light bulb still working despite the grid going down.

Battery backup can be added to some systems for an additional cost, but for others it just isn’t possible.

Different levels of backup

There are also different levels of backup; don’t expect to be able to provide backup for the entire house, doing so may quickly drain the battery.

Not all batteries provide backup power

Many solar battery storage systems do not come with backup functionality. A special inverter can be used to provide backup power to some battery systems, but not all. If battery backup is something that you really want, you need to be clear when dealing with your solar company.

Not all backup systems are equal

There are also different types of solar battery backup, not all of which are equal.

What level of battery backup do you need?

If you want battery backup with your hybrid system, you need to ask yourself what level of backup is important to you. Start by asking yourself these questions:

Does your neighbourhood regularly suffer from blackouts?
Do the blackouts typically last for a long period of time?
Which appliances do you need to access during blackouts?
Is there a critical appliance that you need to keep running at all times?

Irregular blackouts

If you only experience blackouts every once in a while, you probably don’t need to get too concerned about the ins-and-outs of solar battery backup. Chances are, the grid will be back up and running within a few hours, by which time you may have used all of the stored power in your battery.

Regular and long-running blackouts

If you experience regular blackouts that last more than a couple of hours, the configuration of your backup system needs serious thought. Your battery will only last so long during a blackout, and that’s assuming it is fully charged when the blackout occurs.

Regardless of their size, many solar batteries only have a 5kW maximum power output, which means that if you are caught with all of your appliances on at once, you may overload the battery inverter causing the system to shut down.

If your battery doesn’t trip, it will only get you through so long before it is fully drained. The solution to this problem is a partial battery backup.

Partial backup: Critical loads panel

It is possible to avoid having your battery discharge too quickly by having a critical loads panel, an independent circuit that continues to run during a blackout. By putting the necessary devices on this circuit like lights, fridge, modem and a few designated power outlets, you are far more likely to keep the power on during a prolonged blackout.

A critical loads panel will add to the cost of your solar battery.

Your system may force a shutdown during a blackout

Your solar power system may be configured to shut down when a blackout occurs, to protect the battery. If the grid is down and your battery is fully charged, the excess solar has nowhere to go. To protect the battery from overloading, the system shuts down.

This means that if the blackout occurs during the day, your battery can no longer charge. Soon enough you will drain the battery. It is possible to avoid this situation with a top-of-the-range battery and inverter.

The ideal backup solution

If you suffer from regular and prolonged blackouts, or a particular appliance is critical for day-to-day living, you need the best available backup solution. A good solar battery backup solution will do the following:

Have a critical loads circuit that operates during a blackout
Allow your solar panels to continue to charge your battery during the blackout

The critical loads circuit will keep the battery running for longer and avoid overloading the battery inverter. If the blackout occurs during the day, or extends into the next day, your solar panels can continue to charge your battery giving longer power supply.