Solar alone shuts down in an outage for safety reasons. Backup power during an outage requires storage and the right switching equipment.
Whole-home versus essential loads
Essential-loads backup powers a defined set of circuits — refrigeration, internet, lights, a few outlets, sometimes one cooling zone. Whole-home backup requires more storage and more electrical work. Most homes are well served by a carefully chosen essential-loads design.
How long it lasts
Runtime is capacity divided by the load you actually run, and during daylight your solar can recharge the battery. Air conditioning and electric heat are the loads that drain storage fastest, which is why we map circuits before sizing.
Related services
Solar production, bill offset and payment comparisons vary by home, usage, roof, shading, utility rate schedule and financing terms. Nothing on this site is a guarantee of savings. Pricing comparisons depend on system size, equipment, financing structure and contract terms. Any comparison is only meaningful between comparable systems and comparable financing.