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Will Your Solar Panels Keep the Lights On During a Blackout? What to Know
Will Your Solar Panels Keep the Lights On During a Blackout? What to Know
It's happened to most of us: You're enjoying a quiet evening at home when suddenly, the lights go out. You flip the switch on the breaker and no luck. Looking down the street, you can see all the lights are out down the block, too. It's a blackout, and everyone in your neighborhood is without power until the grid is restored.
If you have solar panels that power your home, you might think they would exempt you from this problem. After all, you're not fully reliant on the grid to get your electricity; it all comes from the sunlight hitting your solar panels. But during a blackout, depending on the solar system that you have installed, you might be left in the dark no matter what.
Read more: Best Solar Companies for 2022
Will solar panels work in a blackout?
Most solar panels won't work in a blackout. This isn't because they are no longer capable of converting sunlight into electricity, but because of how most solar systems work.
The majority of solar systems are grid-tied systems, meaning they're still attached to the standard utility grid. This is so solar panel users can still receive electricity from their utility company if the solar panels fail to generate enough to meet demand and so they can sell excess solar energy to the utility company.
Most solar systems are connected to the grid via a solar inverter. This is a meter that measures and tracks the amount of energy generated and used by your home. Most solar inverters tie you to the grid, so if the grid shuts down during a blackout, your solar panels also stop generating and providing electricity to your home.
This is in part for the safety of repair workers, who need to know that busted electric lines are not carrying electricity from solar panels.
How to make your solar panels keep the lights on during a blackout
There are solar systems that aren't beholden to the status of the electricity grid and which continue to operate even during a blackout.
Solar panels and battery backups can help in a blackout, though only with specific equipment.
Lucas Knappe/EyeEm/Getty Image
The first option is an off-grid system, which does not require a solar inverter to connect you to the electric grid. Off-grid systems are often more expensive, in part because they can't participate in some of the unique payment schemes that on-grid solar systems offer, like net-metering: selling solar energy back to the utility company in order to cover the cost of any additional electricity used.
Off-grid systems also have one significant downside: There's no backup plan if your solar panels fail or struggle to generate enough energy. On-grid systems simply take energy from the utility grid when needed. That means if your solar panels aren't able to generate enough energy to meet the demand you're creating, you just get your electricity the traditional way. Off-grid systems don't have that option. So if they can't generate enough electricity to meet your needs, you're going to be in the dark.
Read more:Do Solar Panels Save Money? Yes. Here's How
The second option to keep your power on during a blackout is solar battery systems, which allow you to store some of the electricity generated by your solar panels during the day and deploy it at a time when you need it most. Solar panels generate lots of energy during the middle of the day when the sun is high, but less during peak hours in the evening. A solar battery lets you stash that power and use it later, either to meet your needs during peak or even to take over completely when the power goes out.
A battery system does this by disconnecting your home from the grid at the moment of a blackout. This is called "islanding." A few standalone inverters can do this without batteries, too.
Solar battery systems can be pricey, which is why many people opt not to use it. Much like the fully off-grid system, solar batteries are cost prohibitive and don't benefit from the same pricing schemes that help mitigate the up-front cost that on-grid systems provide. But it's a failsafe that will keep your power on when you need it.
Solar panels are a great option for energy independence, freeing you from reliance on the fossil fuels that are typically used to generate the electricity that comes from the grid. But don't assume that your home's solar panels will keep your lights on. even during a blackout. You'll need to invest in the right system to make that happen, and it can carry a significant financial burden to fully remove yourself from the grid.
Advertiser Disclosure: CNET's corporate partner, SaveOnEnergy, can help you find the right energy fit for your home. The SaveOnEnergy marketplace helps you search, compare, sign up and save on the right energy fit for your home — all for free. If you're interested in solar, answer a few questions to get an exact price quote from our solar advisors.
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Tesla Solar Panels Review: Cheaper Than Other National Players
Tesla Solar Panels Review: Cheaper Than Other National Players
Like
Low prices and a price match guarantee
Quality equipment
Lower profile panels
Don't Like
Anecdotally, customer service can be poor
Four set sizes limits flexibility
Fewer equipment options
More and more homeowners are turning to rooftop solar panels as a way to save money or address climate change. But solar panels represent a huge financial investment. While there are dozens of solar panel providers and installers around the country, it's worth looking at the major players.
Although most people likely know Tesla as an electric car company, it took a major step into the solar business with its 2016 purchase of the solar company SolarCity, which was founded by cousins of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. It now installs solar panels and its unique Solar Roof in at least parts of 25 states and promises to match the prices of its competitors.
Tesla is one of the largest solar installers in the United States (though it's no longer one of the three largest, Wood Mackenzie reported). Tesla gave ground to companies with more aggressive sales tactics, opting for an online-only sales method that feels less pushy. It backs its already low prices with a price match guarantee.
Tesla offers low-profile solar panels and are likely cheaper than those from other national companies.
Tesla
Those guaranteed low prices, matched with quality panels, batteries and inverters means Tesla likely offers more solar power for less money than other national players. Tesla customers might lose some of that value in customer service. While customer satisfaction ratings don't exist for the still relatively new solar industry, anecdotal evidence suggestsTesla may be skimpingon customer service after purchase.
Advertiser Disclosure: CNET's corporate partner, SaveOnEnergy, can help you find the right energy fit for your home. The SaveOnEnergy marketplace helps you search, compare, sign up and save on the right energy fit for your home — all for free. If you're interested in solar, answer a few questions to get an exact price quote from our solar advisors.
Tesla is a good option for someone who wants the most solar for the least amount of money, even if it means some challenges elsewhere. While we weren't able to test a Tesla solar installation or the customer's experience, if you value customer service you're likely to have a better experience with a different provider. Note also that the US Security and Exchange Commission is investigating a whistleblower claim that Tesla misled customers and regulators when fixing fire hazards in its solar panel systems. More on that below.
It's difficult to compare solar providers, since each rooftop installation is unique. It will perform differently based on everything from the orientation of your roof to nearby tree cover to local weather from one day to the next. Below, I'll give you the essential information about Tesla's solar panels and, where possible, let you know how it stacks up to the competition. I'll stick with Tesla's panels here, and write up the Solar Roof in its own article since it's so unique.
Read more:Solar Panels vs. Tesla Solar Roof: Biggest Differences Broken Down
What do I get from Tesla solar panels?
Tesla offers four sizes of solar panel installations measured in kilowatts: 4.8, 9.6, 14.4 and 19.2kW. Tesla allows you to package your solar panel purchase with a Powerwall, its well-regarded battery system that can store power for use during surge pricing, outages or after the sun sets.
As you might expect, Tesla boasts about its panels' sleek, low-profile design. To my eye, Tesla's installations are indeed less obtrusive than others. If that's important to you, Tesla has an advantage here.
Unless you're really particular about who manufactures your panels, what's really important is how long they'll last and how well they'll work. Tesla's warranty says your panels are guaranteed to work at 85% capacity after 25 years or it will replace them. That's roughly in line with other major companies, though stronger than some.
Tesla's solar panels have maximum efficiency ratings that range from 19.3% to 20.6%, which compare favorably with other panels (though slightly higher-efficiency panels are available).
Tesla's first foray into solar power was not with panels, but with storage. Its Powerwall battery is still one of the top choices in the industry, to the point that other major solar companies offer the Powerwall with their installations.
Tesla's warranty says your panels are guaranteed to work at 80% capacity for 25 years or it will replace them.
Tesla, Inc.
Powerwall can hold 14 kilowatt-hours of energy. Tesla says it has the ability to power most appliances, though full use of larger 240-volt appliances like air conditioners and clothes dryers may require more batteries. How long 14 kilowatt-hours lasts depends on how much energy you use, but if you avoid using energy-intensive appliances like washers, dryers or air conditioners, it should last you a couple of days at least. (Keep in mind your solar panels will provide power during the day and possibly recharge your Powerwall, weather permitting.) Powerwall can provide 5 kilowatts of energy continuously or 7 kilowatts for a short peak.
Powerwall's warranty guarantees that the battery will hold at least 70% of its rated capacity after 10 years (or after you've cycled 37.8 megawatt hours through it).
You can install Powerwall batteries indoors and outside of your home. They're roughly 6 inches deep, 2 and a half feet wide and almost 4 feet tall, so they shouldn't be difficult to tuck away somewhere.
The final bit of hardware is the Tesla solar inverter, which converts the direct current electricity your panels generate into alternating current that your house can use. A key metric here is efficiency. Tesla's solar inverter operates at 97.5% or 98% efficiency, according to the company. That puts it near the top end of what's typical. It comes with a 12.5-year warranty.
When everything is up and running, you can monitor it all from the slick-looking app Tesla offers its users. Via the app you can monitor your energy production and usage. If you have a Powerwall, you can also customize how it operates. You can set how much charge you'd like your Powerwall to reserve for outages, boost its reserve when a storm is approaching, and adjust when you draw energy from your Powerwall based on time of day. The app has a 4-star rating on Google Play and a 3.8 in the App Store.
Are Tesla solar panels a good deal?
Each of Tesla's four offerings compare favorably to national averages for value measured in dollars per watt. According to the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, the average cost of residential solar in the United States in 2021 was $3.28 per watt.
Tesla's online estimates usually come in well below that amount, even including one Powerwall (or two with the 19.2 kilowatt option). With the suggested storage options and the federal tax credit (30% of the cost if you install through 2031), Tesla's estimates range from $3.18 per watt for the smallest option down to $2.18 per watt for the largest. If you remove the suggested Powerwall batteries, the estimates come to $1.49 per watt for each size.
These prices are well-below the information available for other national providers, though they may not be the final cost. Your $100 refundable deposit only starts the process. You may need to upgrade your electrical main panel or pay extra for hiding the conduit from your solar panels. Tesla has also suddenly changed solar panel prices in the recent past.
Tesla will match any installer who quotes you a lower price. If that quote comes within 14 days and is for an array of the same size or larger, Tesla will match the price on a dollar-per-watt basis. All you need to do is to email them the quote and your Tesla reservation number.
Tesla offers fewer choices than some other installers. While others might offer Tesla's Powerwall and another brand or size of battery, Tesla only offers Powerwall. Because your energy needs will vary from others, you might find a better fit for your needs with another company.
In early December, Reuters reported the SEC was investigating a whistleblower's claims that Tesla failed to notify customers of an issue that may have caused some solar arrays installed before 2018 to catch fire. The company launched Project Titan in 2018 to fix the issues, but was not upfront about the reason and did not offer to shut down solar panels to decrease the risks. Several of its solar customers have sued Tesla over fires. The SEC said that the ongoing investigation into Tesla does not mean it has found that Tesla broke the law, Reuters reported. Tesla does not operate a press office to handle requests for comment.
Read more:Your Solar Panels Can Make You Money. Find Out When and How
Does Tesla operate in my state? How do I order?
The only surefire way to know if Tesla's solar panels are available in your area is plug your address into its website and check. I found services in parts of 25 states. That means it's available in a few more states than some of the other major solar companies, like Trinity and Sunrun, though SunPower serves more. (Tesla's service areas for solar panels and solar roofs are not identical. It's possible that solar roofs are available through a certified installer where panels are not.)
The ordering process is fairly straightforward: Enter your address. Enter your average monthly electricity cost. Tesla will then spit out a suggested solar array and number of Powerwall batteries. It also provides an estimated cost and a visual mockup (though not of your house). You can add or remove solar panels and Powerwalls from your order and see how it will affect your estimated electricity usage and storage capabilities.
When you're satisfied with your setup, you can place your order with a refundable deposit of $100.
From here, you'll need to submit your utility bill and take a few pictures of your roof. Tesla uses that information and satellite imagery to design your system.
While it may seem strange that Tesla doesn't send someone out to view your roof before designing your solar system, the idea here is to reduce costs. (While the price-per-watt cost of residential solar is falling, the price of panels, inverters and other hardware is falling faster than the soft costs like labor and site visits.)
Tesla solar panel services are available in parts of 25 states.
Tesla
At this point, you'll sign a contract and installation moves ahead largely as it would with any installer. Permits are pulled. Tesla sets an install date (which can be rescheduled). A local team puts panels on your roof.
Your installation may be subcontracted to a certified installer. Tesla has in-house installation teams, but more and more it's relying on third-party installers to expand the reach of its tech. In particular, it certifies installers for the Powerwall and its other solar option, Solar Roof.
Although Tesla did not respond to requests for confirmation about its selection process for install teams, this is information you should be provided before you sign your contract, if it's important to you.
You have a couple of backstops, too. You can cancel your contract within up to three days after you sign. Also, your final payment isn't due until the newly installed system passes an inspection by your local authority. You also have the option to return your system for up to seven days after it's fully functional. Some work won't be refunded or returned (like a Powerwall installation) and Tesla won't make cosmetic repairs to your roof after it removes panels. What is or isn't returnable and refundable will be detailed in your Energy Products Order Agreement, which you should read carefully before signing.
Is Tesla the best choice?
As with any major purchase, you should get multiple quotes from multiple companies. Make sure they answer all your questions and provide the information you need. While Tesla doesn't have a press office, its customer service representatives were easy to get in touch with and seemed knowledgeable. Still, it shouldn't be your only call.
If you're looking for the lowest prices and the backing of a national brand, Tesla is the way to go. Tesla's price match means it will always be competitive in terms of cost. Likewise, the estimates it provides online (which are only estimates) come in well below the national average. If the look of your panels is really important, Tesla's do sit closer to the roof and look sharp. Tesla also offers more information up front about its warranty than some of the other players. Still, make sure you can view it in detail before committing.
The Powerwall is widely considered an industry leader in batteries. It sets the Tesla's equipment apart, but it's also available from some other installers.
There is very little reliable customer service and satisfaction information for the solar industry. Tesla Solar doesn't have a score on with the Better Business Bureau (which companies receive only if they pay a fee), but anecdotally Tesla's customer service for solar is bad enough in cases to make some people regret their purchase. It's customer service call center was responsive and it's not hard to find customer service complaints for any of the major solar installers, but the complaints about Tesla seem louder and more numerous.
It's also important to note that I researched this as deeply as was practical and tried to provide the clearest answers, but I didn't go through the purchasing process, interact with customer service as a buyer or base my assessment of Tesla's performance on any first-hand experience. This category is a hard one to review in the traditional sense, so if possible, you'll want to make sure to get multiple estimates from the different providers in your area before you make a purchase decision.
