What is Blackout Protection?

Blackout protection refers to your inverter and battery system’s capacity to keep your house powered up when the grid goes down, as may happen during a blackout. You’ll be able to power your home using a solar and battery system in case the electricity goes out, keeping essential circuits such as lights, power outlets, and refrigerators going.

How does it work?

If you have a battery enabled with blackout protection (or Backup), there is nothing you need to do when the power goes out. The battery will detect that the grid is down, go into blackout mode and begin to discharge power to the essential loads. The switchover periods vary depending on the battery manufacturer; however, they are often only a few seconds.

Does my battery have Blackout Protection?

Despite most solar batteries being equipped to support blackout protection, enabling this feature requires additional electrical works including re-wiring essential circuits. Petersol Energy Limited offer customers a chance to opt-in to this feature either at the time of installation or down the track.

How long will it last?

This would depend on the type of battery system being installed – AC Coupled or Hybrid, and your energy usage trends. The circuits you have connected to the battery and the amount of electricity being drawn during a blackout will ultimately determine the duration.

The former battery type provides the convenience of charging from surplus solar generated by existing PV inverter(s) on-site. The amount of energy in the battery and the overall load at the moment the grid goes down will determine how long your backup will last.

In addition to this, the latter battery type may also enable you to benefit from solar generation during a blackout, provided they are connected directly to the hybrid inverter thereby charging your batteries.

What appliances can I run during a blackout?

Essential circuits such as lights, charging points and fridges are often turned on first, and customers can benefit from having them connected to the backup. Running energy-intensive appliances is not recommended to ensure that the stored energy lasts for a long time. The amount of energy you use and the amount of energy the battery stores will determine how long the battery will offer backup power.

Let’s consider a 5kW Hybrid Inverter with a 5kWh battery as an example, the maximum power supplied to your backup circuits would be limited to 5 kW (21.7A). Therefore, you can consider backing up 2-3 light(s) and 1 power circuit while ensuring the maximum demand does not exceed the Inverter backup rating.

How to Use Solar Panels During a Power Outage?

Solar panels alone cannot provide electricity during a power outage because they are connected to the grid and require a functioning grid to operate. However, when combined with a solar battery system, solar panels can supply power even when the grid is down. During an outage, the solar inverter will disconnect the panels from the grid and switch to the battery as the primary power source. This ensures that you have a reliable source of electricity when you need it most.

How Long Do Solar Batteries Last During Power Outages?

1. Battery’s capacity

2. The amount of energy stored

3. Power consumption of essential appliances

The duration for which a solar battery can provide power during a blackout depends on several factors, including the battery’s capacity, the amount of energy stored, and the power consumption of essential appliances. Most residential solar battery systems are designed to provide power for a few hours to several days, depending on the size and configuration of the system.

To maximize blackout protection with solar batteries, it’s essential to consider your specific energy needs during an outage. Working with a solar professional can help you determine the right battery capacity for your home.