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.
Why blaming ‘the left’ is easier than deterring violence after Charlie Kirk’s murder
WATCH: Clemson student caught on video appearing to mock Charlie Kirk after assassination
US adds Colombia to list of nations failing to cooperate in drug war for first time in decades
Russia has given military training to around 20% of deported Ukrainian children
Trump says he’s ‘not familiar’ with assassinated Democrat Hortman when asked about lowering flags
FBI Director Kash Patel reveals details about alleged Kirk assassin’s texts
Charlie Kirk vigils held at universities across America following assassination of conservative activist
Young people restore Charlie Kirk memorial mural with Bible verses after vandals deface tribute
Appeals court rejects Trump bid to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook
Appeals court blocks Trump from firing Fed’s Lisa Cook, setting stage for SCOTUS clash
House Republicans honor Charlie Kirk while Dem leaders skip Capitol prayer vigil
Republican governor targeted by Democrats launches re-election bid in key battleground
Taiwan leaders flaunt de facto sovereignty as Kuomintang warns rhetoric will provoke Chinese invasion
Ryan Routh’s SUV looked ‘lived in,’ filled with passports, phones and notes, FBI special agent testifies
Manchin says he wanted GOP to win Senate to stop Democrats’ quest for ‘raw political power’
“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.
