What Is Backup Power Integration? (And Why It Matters in Columbus)

When the grid goes down, will your lights stay on?

That’s what backup power integration is all about. At BC Solar, we build systems that keep your home or business running—even when the power company doesn’t.

Whether it’s storms, equipment failures, or utility maintenance, power outages are common enough in Central Ohio to be a real concern. With a properly designed solar + battery setup, you won’t even notice the grid went down.

What Does Backup Power Integration Mean?

Backup power integration connects your solar panels and battery system in a way that lets your home or business automatically switch to battery power during an outage.

Here’s how it works:

• The battery charges from your solar panels or the grid when power is available.

• During an outage, the system automatically switches to battery mode.

• Your essential appliances—like lights, refrigerator, sump pump—stay running.

There’s no manual switch. No downtime. No panic.

We design every system at BC Solar to work this way unless you specifically ask for something different.

Why It’s Different at BC Solar

Most companies install solar without batteries. Or they bolt on batteries as an afterthought. We don’t do that.

At BC Solar:

• Battery integration is at the core of every system design.

• We’re battery agnostic, which means we’ll match you with the right tech—not whatever’s on our shelf.

• Our Sol-Ark inverters provide true whole-home backup capability.

• Your system is designed by Brian Zaayer, not subcontractors.

Our customers tell us they appreciate that kind of transparency and technical depth—because your power system isn’t a place to cut corners.

What Can You Power During an Outage?

It depends on the size of your battery bank. But typically, Columbus homeowners choose to back up:

• Lights

• Fridge and freezer

• Wi-Fi and electronics

• Well pump or sump pump

• Furnace fan or mini-split

• Garage door openers

If you want whole-home backup, we can design for that too.

What If You Don’t Have Solar Yet?

Good news—you can still benefit from backup batteries.

Even without solar, a properly installed battery system can:

• Charge from the grid during off-peak hours

• Supply backup power during outages

• Help avoid peak demand charges for commercial buildings

And if you’re planning to go solar later, we’ll make sure your battery system is 100% solar-ready.

FAQs About Backup Power Integration

How much backup power do I need for my home?
It depends on what you want to power and for how long. A single battery might give you a few hours of backup for essential loads. Multiple batteries can run your whole home for a day or more. We’ll help size it based on your needs.

Can I add batteries to my existing solar system?
Yes, in most cases. We’ll inspect your current setup to confirm compatibility. If your inverter doesn’t support battery integration, we can recommend a retrofit path.

Will my system switch to battery automatically when the grid goes down?
Absolutely. All BC Solar systems with battery backup are designed to switch automatically within milliseconds. You won’t have to do a thing.

Is battery backup worth it in Columbus?
If keeping the lights on during a storm or protecting your business operations during a utility outage is important—yes. Backup systems provide peace of mind and can even boost your property value.

How long does installation take?
Most battery systems are installed in 1–2 days once permits are approved. We’ll handle all the paperwork and utility coordination.

Ready to keep your power on no matter what?

Call us at (614) 442-9700 or visit https://bc.solar to get started.