How Long Will a Solar Battery Last During a Power Outage?

Learn how long Brightbox and Powerwall solar batteries last during power outages and how to make sure you have enough electricity with a solar generator.

How Long Will a Solar Battery Last During a Power Outage?

When it comes to solar batteries, the duration of their power supply during a power outage depends on the type of battery you have. Brightbox and Powerwall solar batteries can last between 10 and 15 hours, while household solar battery units can last up to 15 years. If you're looking for a long-term solution, you'll need to replace your solar battery every 5 to 15 years to match the lifespan of your solar energy system. A solar system connected to the grid can keep its energy “on an island” or disconnected from the grid when an outage is detected.

As long as the blackout is still in effect, your small solar island will charge the batteries during the day and discharge them at night. This means that your solar panels can continue to power your solar battery even if the power grid is no longer available. If you're not ready for a whole-house solar battery, there are also “solar generators” from companies like Renogy and Goal Zero available for a few hundred dollars that can keep your food cold and a space heater running. You should manage that energy with care, as you need to make sure you have enough electricity to power your home properly until the next sunny day, where your solar panels can recharge your solar battery system.

Powerwall will tell your solar inverter to slow down or turn off if it cannot charge at the expected speed, in order to protect your home from excess energy produced. Not all batteries come with this feature, so if you're buying a solar battery for safety reasons in a power outage, make sure it has blackout protection. A smart panel is controlled from a mobile application and gives you visibility into which appliances are being powered and how much energy they consume. It combines world-leading solar panels, an Australian-designed battery system, and experienced, local installers.

If you have solar panels on your roof, you are most likely connected to the power grid in your area. Axitec, Jinko, Panasonic, Peimar, Q-Cell and SunPower create some of the best solar panels on the market today. During a power outage (both planned and unplanned), your solar panels will not generate electricity unless they are properly equipped to do so. But if you have a solar battery, you can keep your internet connection, the lights on and the fridge running thanks to blackout protection.

Because of this, many solar installers will recommend that you select only a few necessary items that you want to provide power to.

Ismael Slagter
Ismael Slagter

Amateur sushi practitioner. Extreme internet nerd. Incurable internetaholic. Proud zombie ninja. Total foodaholic. Incurable social media lover.