How interesting. I knew the excess power was returned for homeowner credit, but I had no idea the solar-powered houses are shut off if repairs are taking place. I had a conversation with a man just last week about his solar-powered generator, which is battery-backed. He has two batteries that he rotates into service. I´m rethinking my gas-powered generator. Solar would be easier and if the gas stations can´t provide gas, it wouldn´t matter.

The term is "Grid Storage". That means that what little power those expensive solar cells on your roof generate, is pumped back into the grid forcing the utility to buy power at retail rates. In other words you are ripping off your neighbors.
If you want to do it right you need the batteries and the inverters. Then you may have been able to function but probably at a very reduced level.
Takers with solar panels on the roof just to feel good about themselves.
If you want to stay warm during a power outage buy a generator and transfer switch.

Surprise --surprise -- just one more solar power green turned putrid and blackout.

I wonder how those electric cars fared? Did they float better than their gas powered counterparts? /s/

The trick to solar power is to trickle charge your batteries. Once they are charged, you back feed the grid. What the greenies never talk about, is disposal of lead acid batteries and their cost. Also, they have a bad habit of exploding when exposed to salt water.

I have had solar backup for a long time. It is not tied to the grid. It is very expensive to set up. The system must operate about seven years before it makes enough energy to pay for itself, another seven years before it makes as much energy as it took to manufacture the gear in the first place. The batteries are huge and need careful maintenance. They have a useful life of about ten years but that can be stretched. Grid tied only systems are for people who want to "feel" like they are making a difference.

Sounds like, from this discussion that, if you were able to get by on emergency battery backup, you could keep the batteries topped off using solar panels.

The advantages would be no fooling with a gas or natural gas powered generator and their maintenance. (Would propane be easier?)

The panels could recharge the batteries during day enough for running say electronics, lighting and the frig (but not H and C). If you were unethical you could sell back the solar power to the rate payers for some outrageous fee (as much as 46p/kwh in the UK)- if there were such a program in place.

For extended blackouts combined with a lot of overcast days this strategy may not work.

Retail? Most utilities I know of credit the solar grid-tie customer at wholesale rates when buying back power. Of course, each state PUC is different so maybe a sweetheart deal was reached to pay retail.

It depends on how your solar panels interface with your incoming power lines. Mine were installed with its own breaker that ties in after the main breaker. The main breaker is turned off to protect utility workers from the feed back from my panels but the house remains powered as long as my panel breakers remain on. Of course, you only have power during the day but it keeps the freezer stuff frozen, the fridge cold, the washer/dryer/stove/oven working. Don´t open your fridge/freezer after the sun goes down and it should be OK till the next morning. Spend the evenings before bedtime with candles & lanterns for light... be done with cooking & dinner by 4 pm.

I don´t think that you will find any utility company paying homeowners retail rates for excess electricity generated and pushed back onto the grid. That would be a "stuck-on-stupid" business decision.

That´s why us homeowners with solar panels just laugh at ourselves and at our non-solar panel neighbors. The utility pays us wholesale and sells it back to our next door neighbor (15´ away) at retail. What a racket!

The above illustrates the research that you need to do before installing a certain number of solar panels; that is you should install just enough panels to make yourself "electricity usage neutral" over the course of a year.

Utility has no use for solar panel energy, it has enough capacity to run without it. It has to in case when it is cloudy and at night.
It can only "choke" on coal supply to the furnace in same extend but it can not stop firing boilers, it take to long to get back on line.
In essence reducing steam output DOES NOT reduce coal consumption or CO2 production in any significant way.
It only makes Green Wackos feel good.
Power company should not pay you the market rate it should pay you reduced rate since it is only trouble and expense for them.
But not to worry, since they are regulated they will charge everything back to the customer.

Hey #9, look at the article a little way down the thread, someone back east is whining about his solar panels. Glad it works for you but we have our own power, water, heat, food supply and NO One even close to us. Good to be us.

Oh man this makes me think of Elijah and the priests of Baal...a nation of morons.....