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Does my solar work in a blackout?

Short answer. Usually not. A standard grid-connected solar system shuts down when the grid fails, as a safety feature called anti-islanding that protects line workers. To keep power on in a blackout you need a battery (or an islandable system) set up for backup. Solar can then help run the house and recharge the battery in daylight.

Safety first. Never open a switchboard, remove a cover from your battery or inverter, or touch any wiring. Anything beyond the app, a light you can read from a safe distance, or your own router is a job for a licensed electrician. If you see smoke, smell burning, hear arcing or see water on or near the unit: keep everyone away, switch off at your main switch only if it is safe to do so, and call 000 if there is any fire or smoke.

Why plain solar switches off

Government guidance says very few grid-connected solar-only systems give back-up power in a blackout, because the inverter shuts down when it detects the outage. That is deliberate: it stops your system feeding power into lines where crews may be working.

What a battery changes

  • Not all batteries back up. A battery only provides backup if it is installed and configured for it.
  • Basic backup: the solar shuts down and the battery runs the backed-up circuits until it is flat.
  • Islandable systems: the system disconnects from the grid and keeps running your home, and in daylight solar also recharges the battery. Many of our installs are set up this way, backing up the whole home unless you ask us to leave out circuits.

Manufacturers add their own limits. For example, Sungrow’s inverter manual says backup power is not assured in all circumstances and the system is not suitable for supplying life-sustaining medical devices.

How to check what your system does

  1. Look in the app for a backup or off-grid setting, and your Backup Reserve level.
  2. Ask us how your system was installed: whole home, partial or no backup.
  3. Never test by switching off breakers yourself. Ask us how to test safely.

Read more: how long will my battery run my house?, why did my battery not switch over? and blackout backup batteries.

When to call us

If we installed your system, call us on 0483 903 020. Our service help for existing customers is free: we start by working through it with you by phone. If you are not yet a customer, a service call is $250 + GST, which covers one hour on site within 20 km of Mullumbimby; travel further out is quoted separately. Contact us or call 0483 903 020 (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 7am-4pm). We do not repair systems we did not install.

Quick questions

Why did my solar stop when the power went out?

Grid-connected inverters shut down automatically in a blackout for safety (anti-islanding). A battery set up for backup is what keeps power on.

Will solar charge my battery in a blackout?

In daylight, often yes, if your system is islandable and set up that way. It depends on the design.

Does every battery give blackout backup?

No. It must be installed and configured for it.

Can I run life-support equipment on backup?

Manufacturers say not to rely on it for life-sustaining medical devices. Talk to us and your medical provider about a separate plan.

Sources

Last checked 7 October 2026. Only the manufacturer’s, the network’s or the government’s own documents are used; app menus and defaults change between models and versions, so if your screen looks different, call us rather than guess.

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