While solar panels are constantly absorbing and providing you electrical current, they are feeding it directly into your panel breaker. Electricity is continuously flowing into the grid and processed through the utility provider. It always needs somewhere to flow. If the power goes down, there are required shut-off and bypass relays and switches that are installed to each system based on your specific cities code requirements to prevent any danger to workers that may be tending the power grid during such time. Thus, your solar system will be completely disempowered for the time of service loss. While it is possible to re-route your systems electrical production to local use only, it is not allowed. There is good news however, is that technology is on the horizon with the increasing use of battery back-up systems and integration.

On a battery back-up system your power is measured in cycles and a system can hold up to 1.5 cycles a day, and store free power for about 1-3 days.

Installing a storage unit not only assists you in keeping your solar power contained for your use alone, but it also assists in the event of a black out by supplying you power when there is no other source. In addition, battery integration will allow you to store up to two days of power on a cycle for continuing use. Why is this so important you may ask? Several utility companies are changing their tier structures and rates for homeowners in combat for losing money to solar resources. Their newest combat to this issue is to start charging homeowners for the time they use energy at night, even if they have produced enough power to the grid that should be credited to them for use in the evening. Solar storage units allow the power you produce to remain your own and not the utilities.