Backup Power System

A backup power system is any combination of equipment designed to provide electricity to your home during a utility grid outage. In the solar context, a backup power system typically consists of solar panels, a battery storage system, and an inverter capable of operating independently from the grid.

Solar-plus-battery backup systems offer a clean, quiet, and automatic alternative to traditional gas generators. When the grid goes down, the system detects the outage, disconnects from the grid (via a transfer switch), and begins powering your home from the battery and solar panels. There are two main approaches: critical loads backup (powering only selected essential circuits) and whole-home backup (powering the entire house). The right choice depends on your budget, battery capacity, and how much power you need during an outage. A single battery (10–15 kWh) is typically sufficient for critical loads backup, while whole-home backup may require 2–4 batteries or more. Unlike generators, solar backup systems produce no noise, emit no fumes, and don’t require fuel — they recharge automatically from sunlight each day. This makes them especially valuable during extended outages lasting multiple days.