As more Melbourne homeowners invest in solar energy for savings and sustainability, one question often comes up:
“If there’s a blackout, will my solar panels still power my home?”

The answer isn’t always simple — it depends on your system setup. Let’s break it down.

How Standard Grid-Connected Solar Systems Work

Most solar installations in Victoria are grid-connected systems. This means:

Your panels generate power during daylight hours.
Your home uses this electricity first.
Extra power is sent back to the grid, often earning you credits through a feed-in tariff.

However: When the grid goes down, so does your solar system.

Why Solar Panels Shut Down During Blackouts

This is due to a safety measure called anti-islanding protection.
It prevents your solar system from sending electricity into the grid during outages, protecting technicians who may be working on power lines.

Without a battery or dedicated backup system, your home won’t have power during a blackout — even on a sunny day.

How to Keep the Lights On During Blackouts

If you want your solar system to work when the grid is out, you’ll need one of these solutions:

1. Solar + Battery Storage

Stores excess energy for use at night, during cloudy days, or in an outage.
Not every battery has backup capability — choose a model with an emergency power supply or blackout protection.

Popular choices include:

Tesla Powerwall 2/3
SonnenBatterie Evo
BYD Battery-Box
Alpha ESS (select models)
SolarEdge with Backup Interface

2. Hybrid Inverter + Battery

Controls both your panels and battery.
Automatically switches to off-grid mode during a blackout to supply your home with stored power.

Benefits of Backup-Ready Solar Systems

Adding a battery with backup can give you:

Continuous power for essentials like fridges, lights, Wi-Fi, and security systems.
Peace of mind during storms, bushfires, and power cuts.
Reduced reliance on the grid.
Potential energy bill savings, especially during peak hours.

Can Solar Work Without a Battery During an Outage?

Generally, no — unless you have an off-grid system or an advanced inverter designed for “islanding mode.” These setups are more expensive but ideal for rural or remote areas.

Stay Powered with Climate Green – Melbourne’s Solar Battery Experts

At Climate Green, we design and install solar + battery systems with blackout protection so you’re never left in the dark.

As a VEU-accredited provider, we also help you access Victorian Energy Upgrades rebates and other incentives to make your upgrade more affordable.

✅ Expert solar & battery installations
✅ Government rebate assistance
✅ Energy independence solutions

📞 1300 001 690
📧 info@climategreen.com.au
🌐 www.climategreen.com.au

Will Your Solar System Work During a Power Outage? Here’s the Truth