Plug and Play Solar Panel and Power Outage: The Reality
Direct answer: NO, your plug and play panel automatically stops during a power outage. Even if the sun is shining, you no longer produce anything. Decoupling protection cuts production in less than 0.2 seconds as soon as the grid disappears. This is a non-negotiable legal obligation.
Quick Answer: 3 Solutions to Stay Powered During Outage
Anti-outage plug and play kit: Battery + automatic inverter (ATS) → Switches to battery in 10-20ms → 1500-3500€
Hybrid inverter + battery with backup mode: Replaces micro-inverter, intelligent management → 4000-7500€ (RGE installation)
Portable station + autonomous panels: System independent of grid → 800-2500€ (limited capacity)
None of these solutions is "plug and play" in the strict sense. All require additional investment and specific installation.
Why Your Panel Stops (Legal Obligation)
Automatic Decoupling Protection
All plug and play micro-inverters integrate certified decoupling protection according to DIN VDE 0126-1-1 standard. This function detects the presence of the grid continuously (every 20 milliseconds). As soon as an anomaly is detected, production stops in less than 0.2 seconds.
Monitored parameters:
- Grid frequency: must remain between 47.5 and 50.6 Hz
- Voltage: must remain between 184 and 264.5V
- Grid presence: continuous detection
Consult our guide how do plug and play solar panels work to understand the complete technical process.
Three Safety Reasons
1. Enedis technician protection Agents intervening on a line to repair an outage work on what they believe to be a "dead" line. If your panel injected current, risk of fatal electrocution.
2. Equipment protection In case of outage, the grid can present irregular voltages and frequencies. Continuing to inject would create:
- Destructive overvoltages
- Possible short circuits
- Fire risk on installation
3. French legal prohibition The law formally prohibits the injection of electricity onto the public grid during an outage. No exemption possible.
Concrete Consequence
Outage scenario:
- 2 PM, bright sun, your panel produces 400W
- Sector outage in your neighborhood
- Micro-inverter detects grid absence instantly
- Production stopped in 0.2 seconds
- Panel produces 0W as long as grid absent
Even if:
- Your panels capture the sun
- Battery connected (without backup system)
- Production would theoretically be possible
Result: you are in the dark with your neighbors. The panels remain inert.
Automatic Restart
When the grid returns:
- Micro-inverter detects current return (30-60 seconds)
- Verification of normal voltage/frequency
- Automatic synchronization
- Production resumption
No manual intervention required.
Solution 1: Anti-Outage Plug and Play Kit
Operating Principle
An anti-outage kit combines:
- Storage battery (3-7 kWh LiFePO4)
- DC/AC inverter/converter
- ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch)
- Dedicated wiring to priority appliances
Process during an outage:
- ATS detects grid disappearance (10 milliseconds)
- Automatically switches to battery
- Powers appliances connected to backup circuit
- Transfer time: 10-20ms (imperceptible)
Required Components
Inverter/converter (1000-3000€):
- Converts battery DC → AC 230V
- Power: 3000-8000W depending on model
- Efficiency: 90-95%
- Pure sine wave required
LiFePO4 battery (500-2500€):
- Capacity: 3-7 kWh
- Cycles: 6000+ (10-15 years lifespan)
- DOD: 90% (actually usable capacity)
- Weight: 30-70 kg
ATS - Automatic inverter (200-500€):
- Automatic outage detection
- Transfer time: 10-20ms
- Amperage: 32-63A
- Certification: compliant NFC 15-100
Available Models and Prices
| Model | Power | Battery | Autonomy* | Total price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeSafe 8kW + 7kWh | 8000W | 7 kWh | 8-12h | 4500-5500€ |
| Victron Multiplus II 5kW + Pylontech 5kWh | 5000W | 5 kWh | 5-8h | 3500-4500€ |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro | 3600W | 3.6 kWh | 3-6h | 3699€ |
| Growatt SPF 5000 + 5kWh battery | 5000W | 5 kWh | 5-8h | 2800-3500€ |
*Autonomy calculated for priority appliances only (refrigerator, lighting, box, boiler) = approximately 600-1000W.
Physical Installation
Steps:
- Install battery and inverter (ventilated room)
- Wire battery → inverter
- Install ATS between electrical panel and backup circuit
- Connect priority appliances to backup circuit
- Configure battery thresholds
Installation duration: 2-4 hours for competent person. Electrician recommended but not mandatory for plug kit (standard outlet connection).
Important Limitations
Partial power only:
- Appliances on backup circuit powered
- Rest of house in the dark
- Selection of critical priority appliances
Example 5 kWh configuration:
- ✓ Refrigerator (150W)
- ✓ Internet box (10W)
- ✓ LED lighting (50W)
- ✓ Gas boiler (100W pump)
- ✓ Laptop (50W)
- ❌ Oven (3000W)
- ❌ Washing machine (2000W)
- ❌ Air conditioning (2500W)
Total consumption: 360W → theoretical autonomy 5000Wh / 360W = 13h.
Solution 2: Hybrid Inverter with Backup Mode
Difference with Standard Installation
A hybrid inverter completely replaces the plug and play micro-inverter. It manages three modes:
On-Grid mode (normal operation):
- Panels → hybrid inverter → domestic grid
- Surplus charges battery
- Grid takes over if insufficient
Backup mode (outage detected):
- Automatic grid disconnection
- Panels → hybrid inverter → battery → appliances
- Continuous production even during outage
- Dedicated "AC Output Backup" outlet
Off-Grid mode (autonomous):
- No grid connection
- 100% autonomous operation
Required Installation (Not Plug and Play)
Mandatory modifications:
- Removal of plug and play micro-inverter
- Installation of hybrid inverter (dedicated box)
- Electrical panel modification (separate backup circuit)
- DC wiring panels → inverter (MC4)
- Battery installation + BMS
- Backup box or integrated ATS
RGE electrician mandatory: Not compatible with DIY. Complex installation requiring advanced electrical skills.
Installation duration: 1-2 days depending on complexity.
Brands and Detailed Prices
Hybrid inverters with backup:
| Brand | Model | Power | Backup mode | Inverter price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fronius | GEN24 Plus 3-6kW | 3000-6000W | Full backup option | 1500-2500€ |
| Huawei | SUN2000 3-6kW + Backup Box | 3000-6000W | Integrated | 2000-3000€ |
| Victron | MultiPlus II 3-5kW | 3000-5000W | Integrated | 1200-2000€ |
| Imeon | NEO 3.6-6kW | 3600-6000W | Integrated | 2500-3500€ |
| Solis | Hybrid 5-8kW | 5000-8000W | Optional | 1500-2200€ |
Compatible batteries (2500-5000€):
- Pylontech US3000C (3.5 kWh): 1400€
- BYD Battery-Box Premium LVS (4-16 kWh): 2500-8000€
- Huawei LUNA2000 (5-15 kWh): 2800-7000€
Electrician installation cost: 800-1500€
Total investment: 4000-7500€ for complete 5-10 kWh system.
Transfer Time During Outage
Fronius GEN24 Plus:
- PV Point mode: instantaneous (0ms) but panel production only if sun
- Full Backup mode: <20ms with battery
Victron MultiPlus II:
- <20ms (considered as UPS - uninterruptible power supply)
Huawei:
- <10ms with Backup Box
These times are imperceptible for household appliances. Even computers don't restart.
Solution 3: Portable Station + Independent Panels
Complete Autonomous System
A portable power station + solar panels operates in complete independence from the grid. No grid connection = no decoupling protection = continuous production.
Composition:
- Portable station with integrated battery (500-3600Wh)
- Foldable/portable solar panels (100-400W)
- DC connection cable (provided)
Operation:
- Panels capture sun
- Production charges station battery
- Appliances plugged into station outlets (AC/USB)
- No interaction with domestic grid
Advantages
- Zero installation: Place panel, connect station
- No electrical modification: Independent system
- Transportable: Take on trip, camping
- No procedures: No declaration, no RGE
- Immediate use: Works from unboxing
Disadvantages
Very limited capacity:
- Stations: 500-3600Wh maximum
- Power 1-3 appliances simultaneously
- Autonomy 2-6h moderate use
High price per stored kWh:
- 1 kWh station: ~800-1000€ = 800-1000€/kWh
- Fixed 5 kWh battery: ~2500€ = 500€/kWh
Manual panel repositioning:
- Optimize angle according to hour
- Follow sun's course
- Daily constraint
Models and Prices
| Model | Capacity | Output power | Panels included | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 | 256Wh | 300W | No | 249€ |
| Bluetti AC60 | 403Wh | 600W | No | 599€ |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 | 1024Wh | 1800W | No | 899€ |
| Bluetti AC200MAX | 2048Wh | 2200W | No | 1599€ |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro | 3600Wh | 3600W | No | 3699€ |
Separate portable panels:
- 100W foldable: 150-250€
- 200W foldable: 300-450€
- 400W foldable: 600-800€
Complete kit 1kWh station + 400W panels: ~1500-1800€
Practical Use During Outage
Realistic scenario:
- 1 kWh station + 400W panel
- Outage 2 PM (sun)
- Panel charges station: 300-350W real
- Simultaneously powering:
- Refrigerator: 150W
- Internet box: 10W
- Lighting: 30W
- Total: 190W
Production 350W - Consumption 190W = +160W surplus → battery recharge
As long as sun shines, system works indefinitely. Night: battery takes over (1000Wh / 190W = 5h autonomy).
Comparative Table of Solutions
| Criterion | Anti-outage plug kit | Hybrid inverter backup | Portable station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Simple (2-4h DIY) | Complex (RGE mandatory) | Immediate (0h) |
| Available power | 3000-8000W | 3000-8000W | 300-3600W |
| Storage capacity | 3-7 kWh | 5-15 kWh | 0.5-3.6 kWh |
| Critical appliance autonomy | 6-12h | 12-24h | 2-6h |
| Production during outage | No (battery only) | Yes (if sun) | Yes (if sun) |
| Transfer time | 10-20ms | <20ms | N/A (always active) |
| Total price | 1500-3500€ | 4000-7500€ | 800-2500€ |
| Administrative procedures | None | Enedis declaration | None |
| Portability | No (fixed) | No (fixed) | Yes |
| DIY possible | Yes (basic skills) | No (RGE required) | Yes (100%) |
Which Solution to Choose According to Your Needs
Real Needs Analysis
Question 1: Outage frequency in your region?
- <2h/year: No investment (cost > benefit)
- 3-10h/year: Portable station (800-1500€)
- 10-30h/year: Anti-outage kit (1500-3500€)
-
30h/year: Hybrid inverter (4000-7500€)
Question 2: Average outage duration?
- <2h: 500-1000Wh portable station sufficient
- 2-6h: 3-5 kWh anti-outage kit required
-
6h: 5-10 kWh hybrid inverter + solar production
Question 3: Critical appliances to power?
Basic (refrigerator, lighting, box):
- Power: 200-300W
- Solution: 1 kWh portable station
Standard (basic + boiler, computers):
- Power: 500-800W
- Solution: 5 kWh anti-outage kit
Comfort (standard + washing machine, stove):
- Power: 2000-3000W
- Solution: 8-10 kWh hybrid inverter
Profitability Calculation
Formula: (Solution price) / (Outage hours avoided per year × Comfort value)
Example:
- Region: 15h outages/year
- Solution: 2500€ anti-outage kit
- Comfort value: 50€/h (personal estimate)
- ROI: 2500€ / (15h × 50€) = 3.3 years
If outages <5h/year: ROI >10 years = not financially profitable. Purchase only for comfort/security.
Special Cases
Remote work with sensitive equipment:
- Hybrid inverter 0ms transfer recommended
- Micro-outage protection (servers, NAS)
Person dependent on medical equipment:
- Hybrid inverter backup mandatory
- 24h+ autonomy required
- Certified professional installation
Isolated site (frequent outages >50h/year):
- Hybrid inverter + 10-15 kWh battery
- Oversized panels (50% additional capacity)
- Diesel generator ultimate backup
Very limited budget (<500€):
- Entry-level portable station (EcoFlow RIVER 2: 249€)
- Basic power 2-4h
- Better than nothing
Conclusion
Unavoidable reality: A standard plug and play panel does not produce during a power outage. Decoupling protection stops it automatically in less than 0.2 seconds. This is a non-negotiable French legal obligation.
Three solutions exist:
- Anti-outage kit: 1500-3500€, 6-12h autonomy
- Hybrid inverter backup: 4000-7500€, 12-24h autonomy + solar production
- Portable station: 800-2500€, 2-6h autonomy, transportable
French context: Enedis grid among the most reliable in the world. Average outages: 1-3h/year outside isolated rural areas. For the majority of households, investment in an anti-outage system is not financially profitable.
Announced load shedding 2025-2026: If scheduled outages become frequent (scenario 10-20h/year), ROI of anti-outage kits becomes interesting. To reassess according to energy situation evolution.
