Will grid-tied solar panels keep my power on during an outage?

NationwideReviewed October 2026

Not by themselves. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that standard grid-connected solar systems shut off automatically when grid power fails, for the safety of line workers. To keep power during an outage, you need a battery or other storage plus an inverter configured to run the home while it's isolated from the grid. DOE notes that pairing batteries with solar lets owners use stored energy at night or during outages; lithium-ion batteries are the leading technology because they are compact and widely available. The PUC also reminds Texans that most solar homes stay connected to the grid unless the system is specifically designed to be fully independent.

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General information, written in our own words from the sources listed with each answer. It is not legal, engineering, tax or financial advice. Rules change and differ by state, county and city, so confirm with the office that issues your permit before you build. Last reviewed October 2026.