The number of houses with solar panels fitted is increasing to the point where they are a common sight along many streets. In our current situation, they can offer free power and/or reduced electricity bills. I was wondering what effect having them would have in a TEOTWAWKI situation which resulted in the power grid being taken completely off line.

In such an event would the solar power systems survive the loss of the grid? As most of them are connected into the grid in order to sell on the surplus power, they in effect part of the grid anyway. If an EMP (for example) takes out the grid, what damage would be done to the solar panel system? Could they be repaired?

Let’s assume that the internal system is still functional after our TEOTWAWKI event. The houses with solar panel systems installed have the means to power some of their needs, at least during the day should they not have power storage facilities. So, on the face of it they are sitting pretty compared to the rest of the population who cannot even recharge a torch. Lighting, charging portable devices, limited heating and cooking possibilities as well as refrigeration would all be attractive to any survivor.

But there’s the huge downside, it would be attractive to ANY survivor which makes those huge solar panels on your roof a neon sign that your home has something useful to them, something they can take from you. That moves your home from a safe, defendable environment to a potential conflict zone, in fact a potential death-trap.

So, as a prepper, should you envy the people that might have a potential source of power after TSHTF or should you worry about the people who WILL envy them?

 

Edited 23/04/15 14:00

There is some useful discussion of solar panels and their grid connection over at UK-Preppers.