Is Your Home Ready for Winter Power Outages?

By Tim McGann of Pristine Panels · Published: October 16, 2026

Outages Happen Here More Than You Think

Nobody plans on losing power, but it happens to all of us. In 2024, the average U.S. electricity customer went without power for about 11 hours, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly 9 of those hours came from major events like big storms.

Augusta knows this firsthand. The February 2014 ice storm caused more than 200,000 outages across Augusta and the surrounding communities. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene left Richmond County with 72,000 outages, and days later Augusta was still one of the hardest hit areas in the state.

Winter brings its own risks: ice on power lines, falling limbs, and cold snaps that push the grid hard. The best time to get ready is before the first freeze.

Why Solar Panels Alone Won’t Keep Your Lights On

Here’s something that surprises a lot of solar owners: if your system doesn’t have a battery, it shuts off when the grid goes down, even on a sunny day.

That’s on purpose. Grid connected solar inverters are required to stop sending power to the grid during an outage so utility crews can safely repair the lines. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that many solar systems are programmed to detect this situation and disconnect from the grid. It protects line workers, but it also means your panels can’t power your home until the grid comes back.

How a Battery Changes That

A battery stores the energy your panels make, so when the grid goes down, your home keeps running. When the power goes out, the system switches over automatically. In most cases you won’t have to do a thing.

We install two of the most trusted home batteries available:

Tesla Powerwall 3: 13.5 kWh of usable energy per unit.

Franklin aPower 2: 15 kWh of capacity per unit.

Paired with solar panels, a battery can recharge during the day, so you aren’t limited to the energy that was stored before the outage. And if you already have solar, we can add a battery to most existing grid connected systems.

Batteries vs. Portable Generators

Portable generators are the usual backup for many homes, but they come with real risks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that more than 80 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators. Its guidance is clear: never run one inside a home or garage, even with the doors and windows open, and only operate it outside at least 20 feet from the house.

A battery burns no fuel, so there’s no exhaust, no gas cans to store, and no running outside in an ice storm to refuel. It simply takes over when the power goes out.

Your Winter Outage Checklist

Whether or not you add a battery, a little planning goes a long way:

1. Decide what has to stay on. Think about your refrigerator, well pump, medical equipment, internet, and heat. This list is also what we use to size a battery.

2. Keep phones and flashlights charged. Have backup batteries ready before a storm arrives.

3. Know your generator safety rules. If you use a portable generator, keep it outside and at least 20 feet from your home.

4. Check your solar system. Make sure you know whether your system has battery backup. If it doesn’t, it won’t run during an outage.

5. Plan ahead for a battery. If you want backup power this winter, start the conversation now, before storm season is in full swing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my solar panels work during a power outage?

Not without a battery. Grid connected solar systems shut off during an outage so utility crews can work on the lines safely. A battery lets your system keep powering your home.

How long will a battery keep my home running?

It depends on how much energy you use and what you choose to back up. A Tesla Powerwall 3 holds 13.5 kWh and a Franklin aPower 2 holds 15 kWh, and with solar panels the battery can recharge during the day. We size your system during a free consultation.

Can I add a battery to the solar panels I already have?

Usually, yes. We can add battery backup to most existing grid connected solar systems. We’ll check your current setup first.

Is a battery safer than a portable generator?

A battery burns no fuel, so it produces no exhaust. Portable generators cause more than 80 carbon monoxide deaths each year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and must always be run outdoors, at least 20 feet from your home.

Don’t Wait for the Next Storm

The next outage won’t give you a warning. If you want your lights, refrigerator and heat to keep running when the grid goes down, now is the time to plan. Call Tim at (762) 320 9290 or request your free battery consultation online.