Between October 14 and 17, 2026, PG&E cut power to roughly 88,000 customers across 29 California counties as part of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. The same week, Southern California Edison issued a Red Flag Warning that put 260,000 additional customers at risk of shutoffs in SoCal. For the families with solar panels and a battery, the outage registered as a non-event. For everyone else, it meant dark houses, spoiled food, canceled work-from-home days, and uncomfortable nights.
One homeowner on Reddit put it this way: "I don't even notice power outages anymore. You sometimes just don't even know the power's gone out until you read about it on your suburb Facebook group."
Why does California keep shutting off the power?
A PSPS happens when a utility turns off power lines because dry, windy conditions make energized wires a wildfire risk. California utilities ran multiple PSPS events in 2026:
The pattern is accelerating. Every fire season brings more shutoffs, longer durations, and wider geographic reach. PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E have all expanded their PSPS programs as wildfire conditions intensify across the state.
What did the protected homes have?
Solar panels alone do not protect you during a grid outage. A standard grid-tied solar system shuts down when the grid goes down. This is a safety requirement called anti-islanding. The panels stop producing.
The homes that stayed powered had two things: solar panels and a battery. When the grid dropped, the battery disconnected the house from the grid and kept running on stored solar energy. The panels recharged the battery during daylight hours. The cycle repeated for the duration of the outage.
What does it cost to never notice an outage?
Under a lease or PPA, you spread the cost across monthly payments that typically run less than your current electric bill. Third-party ownership covers 55% of California solar installations.
How does this compare to a generator?
A whole-home standby generator costs $6,500 to $15,000 installed. That looks cheaper than a battery on paper. But generators burn natural gas or propane, require annual maintenance, produce carbon monoxide (they must sit outside, away from windows), and do nothing to reduce your electric bill on the 360 days a year when the power stays on.
A battery paired with solar earns its keep every day through bill reduction under NEM 3.0, and then protects you when the grid drops. The generator sits idle until you need it and costs money to fuel when you do.
The battery attachment rate problem
Nationally, 31% of new solar installations include a battery. In California, the number is 58%, down from 71% a year ago. Consumer interest in batteries rose to 76%, according to EnergySage. The gap between interest (76%) and attachment (58%) is a financing problem. Homeowners want batteries but hesitate at the upfront cost. Lease and PPA agreements close that gap by bundling the battery into a monthly payment.
Will my solar panels work during a power outage?
Not without a battery. Grid-tied solar systems shut down during outages for safety reasons (anti-islanding). A battery lets your panels keep producing and powers your home independently of the grid.
How long will a battery last during a PSPS?
A 13.5 kWh battery covers essential loads for 10 to 14 hours overnight. With solar panels recharging it the next day, you can ride out multi-day shutoffs. The October 2026 PG&E PSPS lasted three days, and battery-equipped homes ran continuously.
Do PSPS events happen in San Diego?
Yes. SDG&E runs PSPS events during Santa Ana wind conditions, primarily in the East County and backcountry areas. SCE covers portions of Southern California including parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Can I get a battery added to my existing solar system?
Yes. SolarTech retrofits batteries onto existing solar systems. Most Enphase and SolarEdge systems support battery additions without replacing the existing equipment.
Citations
PG&E October 14–17 PSPS affecting approximately 88,000 customers across 29 counties reported by KION, October 2026
SCE Red Flag Warning affecting 260,000 customers reported by KTLA, October 2026
Battery attachment rate (national 31%, California 58%, down from 71%) and consumer interest at 76% from EnergySage H1 2026 Pricing Report and SEIA Q3 2026 Solar Market Insight
TPO market share of 55% in California from Ohm Analytics September 2026 Flash Report
Homeowner quotes from Reddit r/solar and r/HomeImprovement threads, October 2026
Take the Next Step with SolarTech Energy Systems
SolarTech Energy Systems installs solar and battery backup systems for homes across California and Arizona with 100% in-house crews. Tell us about your home and we will size a system that keeps your lights on during the next outage while reducing your electric bill every month. A solar specialist responds within one business day. Call (858) 261-5642.