Many homeowners and businesses with solar panels assume that battery storage is enough to keep their power running during an outage. However, most solar batteries only last a day or two at best, depending on usage and storage capacity. When extended outages occur, relying solely on batteries can leave you without power. That’s why portable generators provide a more reliable and cost-effective backup solution. The new Solar Interlock Kit from InterlockKit.com makes it easy to integrate a generator into your solar or grid-tied system while ensuring compliance with the NEC.
Understanding Battery Backup Limitations
The average solar battery has a storage capacity of around 10 kilowatt-hours (kWh). While this can provide short-term backup power, most households consume 20-30 kWh per day, meaning a single battery may not last more than a few hours to a day, depending on load. Expanding battery storage is costly, and during extended outages, it becomes impractical. A portable generator offers a more affordable and long-lasting backup solution, ensuring power availability when you need it most.
Why You Need a Solar Interlock Kit
When integrating a portable generator with a solar-powered or grid-tied home, the main concern is preventing backfeeding, which occurs when power flows from your generator back into the grid. This can be dangerous for utility workers and damage electrical systems. The NEC mandates the use of an approved transfer switch or interlock mechanism to prevent backfeeding and ensure safe operation.
Challenges of Using a Portable Generator with Solar
Traditional interlock kits were designed mainly for standard electrical systems, but solar installations and grid-tied setups introduce additional complexities. Many solar inverters are designed to shut down automatically during grid failures, making it challenging to incorporate a generator without specialized equipment. If your home has a battery backup system, the integration becomes even more complex, requiring a solution that can coordinate between your solar panels, battery storage, and generator.
Introducing the Solar Interlock Kit
Our new Solar Interlock Kit is specifically designed for homes with solar installations, grid-tied systems, and portable generators. It provides a safe and NEC-compliant method for switching between power sources without interfering with your solar setup. One of the major benefits of this interlock kit is that it eliminates the need for a load-side tap box, allowing everything to stay within the same enclosure. This simplifies installation, reduces additional costs, and ensures a cleaner, more efficient setup.
How the Solar Interlock Kit Works
Normal Grid Operation: Your home runs on solar and grid power as usual.
Power Outage: The interlock kit isolates the main breaker, preventing backfeeding.
Generator Activation: When a generator is connected, the interlock allows it to safely supply power to the home’s electrical system.
Solar and Grid Compatibility: Ensures that solar inverters and grid-tied systems function correctly without unintended shutdowns or overloads.
Key Features:
✔ Compatible with solar inverters and grid-tied systems – Works seamlessly with existing setups.
✔ Prevents backfeeding – Ensures compliance with NEC 702.5.
✔ Eliminates the need for a load-side tap box – Everything stays in the same enclosure for a more streamlined installation.
✔ Works with generator inlet boxes – Provides a safer and more efficient connection method.
✔ Complies with the 120% Busbar Rule – Helps prevent panel overloads without costly upgrades.
✔ Easy installation – Works with existing breaker panels and eliminates the need for expensive transfer switches.
✔ Allows safe generator connection – Prevents conflicts between solar, generator, and grid power sources.
Conclusion
If you have solar panels or a grid-tied system and need a portable generator for backup power, a standard transfer switch won’t cut it. The Solar Interlock Kit from InterlockKit.com provides a safe, code-compliant, and cost-effective solution for integrating your generator with solar and grid power—all without requiring a separate load-side tap box.
Don’t risk unsafe power setups—get the right interlock kit for your home today! Visit InterlockKit.com to learn more!
