# Whoo-hoo! I'm getting solar panels!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoo-hoo-im-getting-solar-panels/622884>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 23, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoo-hoo-im-getting-solar-panels/622884 "2012-05-23T22:19:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoo-hoo-im-getting-solar-panels/622884/21 "2012-05-26T03:01:50Z")

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> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#):
>
> Do you mean if my system goes down or the whole grid goes down? When the system is not creating power for whatever reason I then get my power from the local utility. Conversely, if I am producing power that I am not using it goes to the local utility literally running my meter backwards. \*\* I will not have any batteries, so if the whole grid goes down while the sun is shining I should still have power otherwise I will be SOL like everyone else.\*\*

FYI, **Gangster Octopus** , as soon as your system detects that the grid is down it will shut down, even if the sun is shining. It’s a common misunderstanding and very negative surprise, especially for people who put thousands up front into their system.

If it didn`t shut down, your system’s inverter would feed power into the grid and create a local island of power on the grid.

The primary problem with that is electrocuting linemen who expect to be fixing equipment on a grid with no power.

The other problem is that your inverter is designed to match the frequency and voltage of the grid, so without anything to match they’ll vary quite a bit and damage your neighbors’ electronics.

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