Introduction
From time to time, we can experience power outages. Whether your home has been affected by a severe storm or the grid is experiencing technical issues, there can be a number of causes behind a blackout. If your home has solar panels, you may still be able to power your home during a power outage. Here’s how.
Understanding Solar Panels
Solar panels consist of photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) power, providing a renewable energy source for homes and businesses.
The DC power generated by the solar panels is passed through an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) power, making it compatible with household appliances.
Using solar panels reduces reliance on fossil fuels, decreases electricity bills, and contributes to environmental sustainability by harnessing the sun's energy for clean, renewable power.
Assessing Power Outage Needs
Before you experience a power outage, it’s useful to assess your needs to ensure you’re adequately prepared. Start by identifying the devices and appliances essential for maintaining your home, such as lighting, refrigeration, medical equipment, internet access, communication devices, and heating or cooling systems.
Estimate the electricity needed to power these devices and how long you may need to power them if you experience a power outage. Based on your power requirements and estimated outage duration, choose a solar system with battery storage that you can rely on during a power outage. Ensure your system is fitted with blackout protection so you can still use it if the power goes out.
Ensuring Safety During a Power Outage
Many homes use a grid-tied solar system, which means any excess electricity your solar system produces is fed back into the electricity grid. During times when your solar system doesn’t produce enough electricity to power your home, such as at night or when it’s cloudy, your home will draw on the grid to top up its energy needs.
Depending on your energy provider, they might offer a feed-in tariff credited against the cost of any energy you use from the grid, helping you save on your electricity bill. However, with a grid-tied solar system, when the power network goes down, your solar system shuts off with it. This safety mechanism is in place to protect utility workers who have to work on the lines to get the grid back up and running. So, even if you have solar panels producing electricity, you could find yourself without power during a blackout.
Boost Solar Panel Efficiency with Proper Care
Installing a Home Battery System
Solar panels alone may not suffice during outages. A battery system stores excess solar energy for use when sunlight is limited.
Connecting Solar Panels to a Backup Battery
For power during outages, ensure your solar system has blackout protection and proper components, disconnecting from the grid safely.
Dealing with Extended Power Outages
Prioritise energy usage during extended outages by identifying essential appliances and turning off non-essential ones to conserve stored power.
Monitor & Maintain Solar Panels
Monitor electricity generation, battery charge, and usage through built-in or additional devices, especially during outages, for efficient energy management.
Maximise Solar Panel Efficiency
Position panels in full sun, keep them clear of shade, and clean regularly to maximise efficiency, often best done by a professional.
Plan for Future Expansion
Consider future energy needs when installing your solar and battery system, ensuring scalability to add more panels or batteries as demand increases.
Warranties and Insurance
Check what the warranties include before purchasing your solar products. A product warranty is an assurance your rooftop solar, or battery system will work for the warranty period. It is in addition to the rights you automatically have under Australian Consumer Law.
If there is a fault or issue, a warranty may cover the cost of repair or replacement. There will be exceptions, such as damage caused by you or by the weather.
Solar Panel Product Warranty
For many panels, the product warranty is between 10 and 15 years. Good quality, modern panels should last for at least 20 years.
Some manufacturers now provide product warranties for 25 years or more. This is the most important solar panel warranty to consider.
Check what is and isn't covered, as most warranties don't cover hail damage.
Inverter Product Warranty
Inverter warranties can vary:
- String inverter: 5-10 years
- Micro inverter (attached to rail): 10 years
- Micro inverter (attached to panel): 25 years
- Battery inverter: 5-10 years
- Hybrid inverter: 5-10 years
For most solar systems, inverters will need to be replaced before the solar panels.
Source: https://www.energy.gov.au/solar/get-know-solar-technology/warranties-and-insurance
Solar Panel Performance Warranty
Almost all solar panels come with a 25-year performance warranty. This is the minimum output of working panels. The warranty is an assurance about the quality of the panels, not just about fixing defects.
Degradation
Solar panel energy generation decreases over their lifetime. Manufacturers often guarantee that their solar panels will perform at a certain level for a certain period. The performance warranty describes the maximum degradation.
For example, a standard performance warranty is 90% up to 10 years, and 80% up to 25 years. This means that for the first 10 years, your solar panels should produce at least 90% of their power capacity. Between 10 and 25 years, they should still work at 80% capacity. Performance warranties can be difficult to enforce. If the panel fails, it is often the overall product warranty that can be enforced.
Workmanship Warranty
A workmanship warranty, sometimes called an installation warranty, covers issues from the installation of your solar power components, such as a leaky roof caused by cracked tiles. A workmanship warranty is usually 5 years.
Battery Warranties
As with any product, batteries degrade over time. Manufacturers offer a range of warranties to guarantee battery performance to a certain level.
Many battery manufacturers offer a 10-year product warranty, reflecting the average life of the battery. The warranty terms could be shorter depending on the type of battery, its storage capacity, and how it is used.
Types of Battery Warranties
1. Fixed term or cycles
2. Throughput warranty
3. End-of-warranty capacity.
Fixed term in years (e.g., 10 years) or a minimum number of cycles over a battery’s lifetime.
Throughput warranty, stating the total energy a battery is expected to deliver throughout its lifespan .
End-of-warranty capacity rating, guaranteeing a certain amount of capacity throughout the warranty period (e.g., 60% of original capacity for 10 years)
Check what is covered in the warranties before choosing your battery product and talk to your solar retailer or installer about any warranty limitations and exceptions that may apply, including conditions of operation. Some manufacturers impose conditions of use on their battery warranties, such as limitations on the number of times you can charge and discharge your battery per day, whether you can purchase electricity from the grid to store in your battery, and the weather conditions the battery can be exposed to.
Extended Warranties
Most basic product warranties are included in the sale price and can sometimes be extended for an optional fee. Suppliers must not try to sell you an extended warranty by telling you it will give you more rights than you automatically have under the consumer guarantees in the Australian Consumer Law if that is not true. They also can’t try to sell you a product that only replicates the rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law.
Ensure your solar retailer or installer provides you with clear information about how the solar system works and its expected performance, as well as system warranties. This should include:
- Information on any warranty limitations and exceptions, such as conditions of operation
- A clear understanding of how to make a claim
- Who is responsible for any associated expenses
Insuring Your Solar System
Warranties usually do not cover things like hail damage. You can add another level of protection by taking out insurance on your solar system. Insurance requirements differ depending on whether you are a homeowner, business owner, renter, landlord, or member of a body corporate. Talk to your insurance provider and/or body corporate manager early to check the requirements for your circumstances.
Any changes to your insurance policies may result in an increase in your premiums, and you may also need to increase the building sum insured. Ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered by your insurance policies, and the benefits for events that are covered.
Common insured events include weather such as hail or windstorms, vandalism, theft, and accidental damage. Some insurers offer additional optional coverage for solar panels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to ensure your solar power system supports you during outages, install a battery with blackout protection, monitor energy use, and maintain your system. Prioritise efficient energy use and stay informed about warranties and insurance for reliable backup power.
[Disclaimer: The blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. For accurate and up-to-date information on renewable energy, refer to reputable sources and consult with experts in the field.]
Please don’t hesitate to contact Betta Value Renewable Energy if you have any questions about this topic.
