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 signs executive order limiting state regulation of AI
Wisconsin judge in Trump fake electors case accused of not writing his own ruling
Watch: Leftist Says He ‘Deserves to Be Robbed’ for Being White, Regrets It Seconds Later
Gavin Newsom Accused of ‘Inciting More Violence’ with AI Trump Administration Video
Top 5 moments: Noem clashes with Dems in fiery hearing as drones, deportations erupt into flashpoints
Alleged Jan. 6 pipe bomber’s detention hearing delayed until end of month
See the Biden-era ‘DEI’ coins Bessent scrapped as Trump team restores patriotic 250th designs
Video: Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Tyler Robinson Smiles and Laughs as He Makes First Court Appearance
13 House Republicans Side with Democrats, Vote to Overturn Trump Executive Order
Twice-deported Honduran accused of stabbing passenger on Charlotte light rail faces federal charges
US set to seize tens of millions in Venezuelan oil after tanker interception, White House says
Leavitt accuses CNN reporter of trying to ‘push narratives’ during heated White House exchange
New York to spend millions helping people cope with ‘collective trauma’
Alleged gang hit man captured after yearslong manhunt for 3 separate murders in Philadelphia: ‘The very worst’
Dueling healthcare bills rejected by Senate as Obamacare subsidies set to expire
“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.
