When the lights go out, most homeowners reach for flashlights and candles. But if you have solar panels, there's a better question to ask: why aren't my panels keeping the lights on?

The answer is simple — without a battery and the right inverter, your grid-tied solar system shuts down the moment the grid drops. The fix? A solar battery backup system that stores your excess solar energy and automatically powers your home when the grid fails.

Here's how it works, what you need, and how to get started.

Why Your Solar Panels Alone Won't Save You

Grid-tied solar systems are designed to shut off during a power outage. This is a safety feature called anti-islanding — it prevents your system from sending electricity back into downed power lines, which could injure utility workers.

The trade-off is that your panels become useless exactly when you need them most. To keep your home running during an outage, you need two additions:

1. A hybrid inverter that can disconnect from the grid and run on battery power

2. A battery bank to store energy for when the grid is down

How a Solar Battery Backup System Works

Normal Operation (Grid Up)

During the day, your solar panels generate electricity. The hybrid inverter routes that power to your home first, then sends any excess to charge your battery. Once the battery is full, surplus energy can be exported to the grid (depending on your utility's net-metering policy).

At night, your home draws from the battery instead of the grid, reducing or eliminating your evening electricity costs.

Outage Operation (Grid Down)

When the grid fails, the hybrid inverter detects the loss of grid power and switches to off-grid mode — typically in under 20 milliseconds. Your solar panels continue to charge the battery during the day, and the battery powers your essential loads around the clock.

When grid power is restored, the inverter switches back automatically. No manual intervention required.

What You'll Need

A complete solar battery backup system on the Candlon platform includes three core components:

Ktech KE-10KD5LSUN Hybrid Inverter

Ktech NP-WG165P2 Battery

How Long Will My Battery Last During an Outage?

Runtime depends on your battery capacity and what you're powering. Here's a rough guide for a typical U.S. home during a daytime outage (with solar recharging the battery):

With solar panels recharging the battery during the day, these runtimes can extend indefinitely for essential loads — as long as the sun keeps shining.

The iHEMS® Advantage

What sets a Candlon-configured system apart is the iHEMS® intelligent energy management system. Instead of manually deciding when to charge or discharge your battery, iHEMS® handles it automatically:

· Outage prediction: iHEMS® can prioritize battery charging if severe weather is forecast, ensuring your battery is full before a potential outage

· Load prioritization: During an outage, iHEMS® can route power to critical loads first (refrigerator, medical devices) and defer non-essential loads

· TOU optimization: On normal days, iHEMS® charges the battery during cheap off-peak hours and discharges during expensive peak hours, helping you save on electricity costs

· Remote monitoring: Check your system status, battery level, and energy flow from your phone — anytime, anywhere

FAQ

Q: Can I add battery backup to my existing solar system?

A: In most cases, yes. If you currently have a grid-tied inverter, you can either replace it with a hybrid inverter (like the Ktech KE Series) or add an AC-coupled battery system. A hybrid inverter is generally recommended for new installations or full upgrades.

Q: How many batteries do I need?

A: For essential backup (fridge, lights, Wi-Fi, phone charging), one Ktech NP-WG165P2 battery is a good starting point. For whole-home backup or multi-day outage protection, you may want to add additional batteries. The NP Series supports mixed-age battery configurations, so you can expand over time without replacing existing units.

Q: Will my system work during a winter outage with little sun?

A: Yes, but runtime will be shorter. With limited solar recharging, your battery will deplete faster. iHEMS® can help by prioritizing critical loads and conserving energy. Many homeowners also keep a small generator as a secondary backup for extended winter outages.

Start Your Backup Power Journey

Don't wait for the next blackout to wish you had backup power. Candlon makes it easy to design a solar battery system tailored to your home, your energy needs, and your budget.

Our team can help you:

· Size your inverter and battery bank

· Verify compatibility with your existing solar panels

· Navigate local permitting and utility requirements

[Build Your Backup System with Candlon →](https://www.candlon.com)

*Candlon is a smart home energy platform providing solar, storage, and intelligent energy management solutions for U.S. homeowners and installers. Ktech KE Series hybrid inverters and NP Series batteries are available through the Candlon platform.*