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.
California Dems accused of putting sanctuary law over migrant child welfare checks: ‘Real children’
NBA Finals Return to San Antonio, Where Violent Mobs Won’t Rule the Streets Regardless of Who Wins
New UFO Files Reveal Officials Have Pinpointed Location from Which Glowing Orbs Are Originating
Trump’s name remains on Kennedy Center as appeals court weighs emergency request
EXCLUSIVE: ICE nabs multiple convicted killers in single day amid nationwide immigration sweep
Top Trump agency purges over 20 suspected China-linked products from federal marketplace
Tim Kaine Says He Doesn’t Understand Why Fellow Leftists are Angry Over Karmelo Anthony Sentence
UK MP More Upset by Attempted Beheading Video Posted Online Than Actual Attack
Teen accused of killing elderly couple has brothers who allegedly shot deputy cops say ‘will never walk again’
LANGUAGE WARNING: Watch as Austin Metcalf’s Dad Blasts Karmelo Anthony’s Parents as Cowards and Grifters in Raw, Emotional Interview
Deceased gunman identified after shooting in Midland, Texas, leaves 1 dead, 10 wounded
WATCH: Tim Kaine rejects claims Karmelo Anthony verdict was racist
Police in California spot body of 5-year-old swept out to sea
Abbott turns up heat on Talarico, Soros-backed DAs over Texas crime
Developing: Nancy Guthrie Tip Sends Searchers to Mystery Cemetery With at Least 25 Unmarked Graves
“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.
