Installing solar panels is the most obvious solution for storm-proofing your home when and if the national energy grid falls. If you want to be prepared for the next storm when it comes, then every minute you spend researching REC Alpha Pure-RX Series solar panels will be a minute well spent!
When extreme weather hits – be it fierce winds, heavy snow – you begin to think about the possibilities of a solar solution that’s built to triumph, even in storms as destructive as Éowyn. REC Group (since 1996) have engineered solar panel technology designed to withstand heavy wind load, snow load, severe hail and volatile temperatures, ensuring reliable and outstanding performance in the face of orange and red weather warnings.
With a climate characterised by changing sunlight, temperatures and frequent cloud cover, it’s important that Irish homeowners make an informed decision when investing in solar panels that should operate efficiently and sustainably in the long run.
In this blog, we explain why REC PV solar panels are most suited for Ireland’s specific environment, designed to weather the toughest storms. If it is a long-term investment for energy production you are seeking, make sure you invest in durability, sustainability, and peace of mind… If you fail to prepare for the storm, prepare to fail!
Solar Panels and Storms: Can solar panels power a house during a power outage?
YES! Solar Panels have the ability to keep a busy house running when the national grid falters in the event of a power cut. During the winter season, the national grid is under even greater strain across the country with the increased demand for electricity. Being able to resort to battery-stored energy for your electricity supply in the event of a national power outage allows homeowners to move away from being reliant on the national grid for electricity, enabling households to take back control.
By achieving energy independence from the national grid, installing solar panels will put you at ease knowing that you never again have to worry about losing your home’s power supply in hail, rain or snow! For solar panel technology to power your house so that you can power on during a storm, you will need four components to build your storm-proof Solar PV System:
- Solar Panels (we recommend REC panels)
- Battery Storage (for storing excess solar energy)
- Solar Power Inverter (to form the connection between the solar panels and battery)
- Automatic Changeover Switch (for a smooth transfer of power source)
Below we will identify the role each component plays in operating your solar PV system in the event of a power outage, as well as identifying the top tier brands and models available to Irish homeowners.
What is an inverter battery connection and how does it work?
An inverter battery is a rechargeable model, specifically designed for use in an inverter system. The core purpose of an inverter battery is to store electrical energy and provide backup power. Inverter batteries function by storing direct current (DC) and then converting it to alternating current (AC) which is what powers your home appliances.
During the winter season when storms are most likely to occur, electricity is a fundamental part of daily (and nightly) life, required for powering basic household appliances, artificial light, heated water systems and technological devices which we rely so heavily on. This is where inverter battery techonology—a cornerstone of home power backup and storage solutions—come into play.
Inverter batteries are specialised batteries that store energy which can later be converted into electricity and used on-demand at a more suitable time that meets the needs of the household. An inverter battery connection is useful for many reasons, but the most obvious (and arguably the most important) involves converting stored energy into electricity during a power outage when the main grid fails.
Solar Energy Storage: Charging your battery to full capacity to prepare for a power outage emergency
Inverter battery technology (or AC/DC Conversion) is empowering households to convert stored energy to electricity as and when the household requires it, rather than having to use the solar energy produced by your PV solar panels at the time of generation during daylight hours. Thanks to the inverter battery, stored energy can be converted into electricity before a forecasted storm arrives, and later used for an alternative power source when the national grid falters and the rest of the country otherwise loses access to their primary source of electricity.
With our changing climate, power outages are predicted to become a much more common challenge during the winter in Ireland. Powercuts hugely disrupt household routines and comfort, especially when losing electricity for days on end (as much as 8+ days without power were experienced by many rural households during the aftermath of storm Éowyn).
Winter is one of the more busy and cold times of year, and nobody wants to be spending their days and evenings in darkness. Our advice to you is to always ensure your battery is charged when stormy weather is forecasted, and be careful not to let your battery discharge (ie., ensure your battery is operating in backup mode so that power will only discharge from the battery if the grid power is lost).
What is an Automatic Changeover Switch for solar systems and how does it work?
Designed for reliability and efficiency, these transfer switches automatically transfer power between your mains and your (backup) battery storage, ensuring uninterrupted supply in the event of a national grid powercut. Ideal for both residential and commercial installations, they enhance system performance and protect against power disruptions by automating the process.
An automatic changeover switch (when it’s in use) will intelligently and continuously monitor the power sources, checking for the restoration of the primary power source. Once the primary source is stable and within acceptable parameters, the switch automatically reconnects the load to the primary source (solar panel inverter) and isolates the secondary source (the battery).
Let’s take the example of a power cut caused by a storm – The power goes out and the changeover switch automatically begins converting DC current from your battery storage into AC current to power your premises whilst the national grid is down. In this manner, solar transfer switches are a crucial component of any solar power system. They ensure a smooth and seamless transition between different power sources and enhance the efficiency and safety of your solar setup.
JINKO Vs REC Solar Panels: What are the Best solar panels for Irish weather?
At Solar Home, we believe that the starting point for your solar technology investigation (before making a decision that has long-term effect) begins with researching the solar panel (manufacturer and model) that is most suited to your location’s weather climate.
In the Irish climate, where we experience harsh weather conditions pretty much all year round, REC solar panels fulfil every customer need and are widely renowned for their premium quality, performance and efficiency, as well as their exceptionally low warranty claims rate. Many solar panel suppliers in the Irish market will not embark on this discussion with their (soon-to-be) customers as they mostly don’t want you to hear the truth about JINKO Vs REC.
Jinko Solar is mostly known for its strong global presence, which is why so many companies in Ireland partner with JINKO to manage their hardware stock and supply chain. Solar Home is happy to provide you with separate quotes for both REC panels and JINKO panels, so that you can base your choice on pricing if cost is the most important factor for you. What we have found through the years, however, is that our customers have never opted for the cheaper JINKO price over REC solar in the past because they were never willing to compromise on quality for a slightly reduced cost.
