Californians have embraced rooftop solar panels more than anyone in the U.S., but many are learning the hard way the systems won’t keep the lights on during blackouts.
That’s because most panels are designed to supply power to the grid — not directly to houses. During the heat of the day, solar systems can crank out more juice than a home can handle. Conversely, they don’t produce power at all at night. So systems are tied into the grid, and the vast majority aren’t working this week as PG&E Corp. cuts power to much of Northern California to prevent wildfires.
The only way for most solar panels to work during a blackout is pairing them with batteries. That market is just starting to take off. Sunrun Inc., the largest U.S. rooftop solar company, said some of its customers are making it through the blackouts with batteries, but it’s a tiny group — countable in the hundreds.
Trump fires judge-picked US attorney as top DOJ official warns courts to stay in their lane
Reporter’s Notebook: Trump’s State of the Union becomes political boxing match as Democrats boycott
First antifa terrorism trial restarts following mistrial: What you need to know
Newsom’s office rebuffs ‘MAGA-manufactured outrage’ on his SAT score statement
Judge permanently blocks release of Trump classified documents report
JPMorgan Makes Humiliating Admission in Trump’s $5 Billion Debanking Lawsuit
WATCH: ‘I Can Send a Military Plane or Something’ – Trump Called the US Men’s Hockey Team After Their Historic Win and Made an Offer They Couldn’t Refuse
Trump says Supreme Court ruling against birthright citizenship order would benefit China
Family member of armed man who breached Mar-a-Lago perimeter describes personality, politics
Death toll rises after Mexican drug cartel leader killed in US-backed operation
Americans stranded in Puerto Vallarta describe city turning into war zone and more top headlines
MAGA Right sours on Thune over SAVE Act fight
How Trump’s ICE Built Nationwide Police Alliance Right Under Democrats’ Noses
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: Thune Should Use This Trick to Get the SAVE Act Passed
DHS shutdown drags into week two as Iran threat, SOTU clash complicate Hill talks
“It’s the perfect combination for getting through these shutdowns,” Sunrun Chairman Ed Fenster said in an interview. He expects battery sales to boom in the wake of the outages.
And no, trying to run appliances off the power in a Tesla Inc. electric car won’t work, at least without special equipment.
Story cited here.
