Blackout Protection and Backup Power - What to Expect from a Home Battery System

With grid instability, blackouts, and ‘once-in-a-century’ weather events becoming far more common, home energy independence has never been more important.

Many Aussies have already taken the first step, with around 40% of houses now boasting a rooftop solar PV system. But one of their major drawbacks is that they need the grid to operate, and in the event of a blackout, they’re required to shut down until mains power returns.

This is where energy storage changes the game. A home battery system not only unlocks access to 24/7 solar energy, but it can also provide backup electricity during a power cut. Let’s take a look at how the right system can ensure you're never left in the dark

Home battery systems that provide backup power are called ‘hybrid’ systems, as they can work in both on-grid and off-grid modes. For a battery to keep your home running during an outage, it must completely disconnect from the grid. This is known as ‘islanding’, as it isolates your home to create a private electricity island.

Islanding mode has multiple advantages. Along with providing backup electricity from your battery, it allows your solar panels to continue powering your home and recharging your battery. This ability can ensure you don’t run out of electricity during an extended blackout, even if it lasts for several days.

Achieving safe and reliable backup power all starts with having the right equipment and design. An expert solar and battery designer can tailor a backup system to your specific needs, or provide a couple of options with unique features and costs. 

The typical hardware requirements of a solar battery with blackout protection include:

If you’re installing a complete solar and battery system, it will include a hybrid inverter as standard. Or if you already have a grid-connected solar system and want to add a blackout protection battery, you’ll need to add a hybrid inverter to your existing solar inverter.

Note: Not all hybrid systems allow your solar panels to charge your battery during a blackout. This depends on the inverter model and system design, so it’s important to confirm this with your installer.

In the same way that solar batteries come in various shapes and sizes, they also have different capabilities when it comes to providing backup power:

Whether you choose partial or complete home backup will often come down to your requirements and budget. Systems that can provide complete backup are typically more complex and expensive, but are ideal during prolonged blackouts. On the other hand, partial backup systems can still keep all your essentials running, although you’ll be more limited in what you can do.

With smart appliances becoming more common and electrification on the rise, a battery backup system can minimise disruptions to your daily life. For most people, the main priority is to keep essential appliances and systems running, which typically include:

• Lights

• Fridges and freezers

• Designated power points (for charging phones and other devices)

• Internet modems (to also maintain system monitoring)

• Any special medical devices or computer systems

If you’re looking for complete energy freedom, you may prefer a larger battery system that can power your entire home for days. This means that during an outage, you can run all of your appliances as normal - provided there’s enough electricity in your battery or being generated by your solar panels.

Naturally, it’s wise to be economical with your power use when in backup mode to avoid draining your battery before mains power returns.

There are several factors that can influence the ideal size, design, and capabilities of your battery backup system. To narrow down the options, it’s useful to ask yourself these questions:

• Does your suburb or town experience frequent or extended power cuts?

• Do you live in an area that’s prone to bushfires, storms, or other events that could leave you without power?

• Do you have any medical devices or special equipment that needs power all the time?

The amount of electricity available during a blackout depends on three main factors: the capacity of your battery, its state of charge, and the size of your inverter.

While a home solar battery has a minimal design and requires no maintenance, it's still a high-voltage electrical storage system. That’s why it’s critical to choose a reputable battery brand and have it designed and installed by accredited experts.

The location of your battery also matters. It’s ideal to have it installed in a garage or undercover area, which protects it from the elements and helps to maintain consistent battery temperatures. These steps help to ensure your system operates reliably, protects your home from power surges and fire risks, and meets all Australian electrical standards.

Purchasing a solar battery with blackout protection is a significant investment, so it’s crucial to get it right. For reliable, hassle-free backup power, here's a handy checklist of the key steps::

Once your system is up and running, it automatically switches to backup mode whenever the grid goes down. In many cases, you may not even notice there’s a power cut!

Here at 1KOMMA5° Australia, all of our home battery systems come backup-power ready. These include our modular stackable battery system and the popular Tesla Powerwall 3. If you need some expert advice on the size and design of your battery backup system, request a free online quote or call us on 1300 976 040.