You never know when an emergency will hit. A winter storm, a windstorm, a wildfire-related shutoff, or an earthquake can knock out power for hours or days. Much of daily life depends on electricity: refrigeration, heating, lighting, communication, and medical equipment. Renewable energy, especially solar paired with battery storage, can help you and your family or business stay prepared.
Why Emergency Power Matters in Utah
Utah families are known for being prepared, and for good reason. Along the Wasatch Front, winter storms, heavy snow, and wind events can bring down power lines. Utah also sits along the Wasatch Fault, and the Utah Geological Survey encourages residents to be ready for earthquakes. Having a reliable source of backup power is a valuable part of any emergency plan, alongside food, water, and a 72-hour kit. Ready.gov has a helpful checklist for preparing for power outages.
Prepare With Solar Panels
Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. During normal times, a grid-tied system lowers what you buy from Rocky Mountain Power. On its own, however, a standard grid-tied system shuts down when the grid goes down. That safety feature protects line workers. To keep power flowing during an outage, you need energy storage.
Prepare With Battery Backup
A battery stores energy so you can use it when you need it. Paired with solar, a home battery recharges each day the sun shines, which gives you a renewable supply of backup power rather than a limited one.
What a home battery can run
- Refrigerator and freezer, to protect food storage
- Furnace fan or boiler controls in winter
- Lights, phones, internet, and radios
- Medical devices and well pumps
- Garage doors and security systems
How long a battery lasts depends on its capacity and what you run. We help you choose which circuits are critical and size the system around them.
Battery backup vs. gas generators
- Quiet and clean: No engine noise and no exhaust fumes.
- Safer indoors: Batteries do not create carbon monoxide. Never run a gas generator indoors or in a garage.
- No fuel storage: Solar recharges the battery, so you do not have to stockpile gasoline.
- Automatic: Many systems switch over on their own when the grid fails.
Portable Power for Go-Bags and Camping
Not every situation calls for a whole-home system. Portable power stations and folding solar panels can keep phones, radios, lights, and small appliances running during an evacuation, at a campsite, or in an RV. They are also useful for everyday adventures in Utah’s backcountry. Learn about one portable option in our guide to Humless power systems.
Off-Grid Options for Cabins and Remote Properties
If you have a cabin, ranch, or property without utility service, a fully off-grid solar and battery system can provide independent power year-round. Compare your options in On-Grid and Off-Grid Systems: What Are They?
Building Your Emergency Power Plan
- Make a list of essential loads and how long you need them to run.
- Decide between portable power, a home battery, or a full off-grid system.
- Pair storage with solar so you can recharge during long outages.
- Test your system and know how it switches over.
- Keep your broader emergency kit stocked: water, food, first aid, and communication.
Rocky Mountain Renewable Energy designs solar and battery backup systems for Utah homes and businesses. Explore our services or visit our FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my solar panels work during a power outage?
Only if your system includes battery storage, or a special inverter designed to supply limited power during an outage. A standard grid-tied system shuts off for safety.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?
Often, yes. It depends on your inverter and electrical panel. A site visit will confirm compatibility.
How long will a battery run my home?
It depends on battery capacity, the loads you run, and how much sun is available for recharging. We help you plan around your essential circuits.
Talk to a Local Utah Solar Team
Rocky Mountain Renewable Energy has been designing and installing solar systems for Utah homes and businesses since 2010, from our office at 778 Parkway Dr in North Salt Lake. If you would like straight answers for your own property, request a free quote or call us at 801-980-0700.
