Does solar work during a blackout?

By South West Tech

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about solar.

Many people assume that if they have solar panels on their roof, they'll still have electricity during a power outage. In most cases, that's not true.

A standard grid-connected solar system is designed to automatically switch off during a blackout, even if the sun is shining.

Why Does It Turn Off?

When the electricity grid loses power, your solar inverter automatically shuts down.

This is a safety feature known as anti-islanding protection.

If solar systems continued sending electricity into damaged power lines during a blackout, they could put electricity workers and emergency crews at serious risk while they repair the network.

For this reason, Australian safety standards require most grid-connected solar systems to stop generating power until the grid is restored.

Can You Still Have Power During a Blackout?

Yes, but only if your system has been designed for it.

Some solar battery systems include backup power capability, allowing certain appliances—or even your entire home—to continue operating during a blackout.

Not all batteries provide backup power as standard, and simply adding a battery doesn't automatically mean your home will stay on during an outage. The battery, inverter and electrical installation all need to support backup operation.

If backup power is important to you, it's worth discussing this when planning your solar system, as different products offer different levels of backup.

The Bottom Line

Solar panels alone generally will not keep your home running during a blackout.

A typical grid-connected solar system will automatically switch off until mains power returns.

If maintaining power during outages is one of your priorities, you'll need a battery system with backup capability and the appropriate equipment to safely supply your home when the grid is offline.