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.
South Korea Kidnaps American Christian, Ex-Diplomat Who Dared to Criticize Nation’s President While on US Soil
US Chopper Spots Speed Boat Carrying 4,000 Pounds of Cocaine – Central American Authorities Seize It All
China ties suspected in sprawling California pot operations as GOP urges FBI probe
American who fled US after allegedly killing pregnant wife could return within days with murder charge dropped
Bush family royalty backs Democrat in battle to flip Texas blue
Dashcam video captures small plane crashing on San Jose highway, injuring three on board, including child
Vivek Ramaswamy lags behind Democrat Amy Acton in race to keep Ohio governor seat red
Alberta votes overwhelmingly to remain part of Canada in referendum
POTUS Wants Answers: Kennedy Center Chaos as Ric Grenell Accused of Selling White House Access, $5.6 Million ‘Donation’ Allegedly Missing
Bombshell Claim: Comer Says Ilhan Omar’s Winery Sold Empty Barrels to Investors
Midwest pro-Trump state could hold key to Republicans’ midterm hopes
Trump puts fraudsters on notice with $25M whistleblower program offering cash for tips that deliver
Marine Le Pen vows to be the one to end ‘decades of anarchic immigration’ as France is torn apart by riots
Rogers argues El-Sayed is vulnerable with 2 traditionally Democratic blocs as Obama heads to Michigan
UNC settles Trump admin probes into alleged campus antisemitism, race-based admissions
“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.
