Many people assume that solar panels automatically continue to supply power if the electricity grid goes down. That sounds logical: the sun is still shining, after all. However, in practice, at most homes, everything shuts down as soon as there is a grid failure. In this blog, we explain why this is the case, and what you need to do to keep the power on.
Why do solar panels switch themselves off?
Almost all standard solar panel installations in the Netherlands are grid-connected. This means they only work as long as the public electricity grid is available. If the grid fails, the inverter switches itself off immediately.
This is not a fault, but a mandatory safety measure. Technicians must be able to work safely on the grid without the risk of private solar panels still feeding power back into the grid.
The consequence is confronting: even on a sunny day, you are without light, without internet, and without working power outlets.
Why a home battery alone is not enough
A common idea is that a home battery solves this problem. Unfortunately, this is only partly true. Many home batteries also only work as long as the grid is available. Without a suitable inverter with a backup function, you still won't have usable power.
What you minimally need:
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A battery for energy storage
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An inverter that supports island mode or backup
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A safe separation between the grid and your own installation
Solutions that DO work
There are roughly two solutions:
Emergency power / backup system
This provides a limited number of essential devices with power during an outage, such as lighting, refrigerator, or internet.
Hybrid system
A combination of solar panels, battery, and grid, where in the event of a grid failure, you automatically or manually switch to your own energy.
Conclusion
Solar panels alone are not a guarantee of power security. With the right combination of battery and inverter, you can prepare your home for power outages — safely and according to applicable regulations.
Ideas for photos:
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House with solar panels at dusk
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Close-up of an inverter and battery in a shed or utility room
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Detail photo of a switched-off fuse box (calm, not dramatic)