Common Power Outage Backup Mistakes And How to Avoid Them

Most people think they’re ready for a power outage… until the lights go out. That’s when hidden mistakes show up at the worst possible time.

We’ve been there ourselves, and after testing countless backup setups here at The Solar Lab, as well as running into more than a few power outages ourselves, we’ve seen the same errors over and over.

This guide breaks down the main backup power mistakes people make, and how you can avoid making these common solar backup mistakes yourself.

We put this together in line with a handy home backup power course created by Anker SOLIX, which you can check out for free on their website. The course goes deeper into backup power strategies and even includes a quiz where you can win prizes.

So, let’s identify the main backup power mistakes, as well as learn how you can avoid them with a few basic backup power tips.

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Mistake #1: Relying A Single Big Battery

Going with one big battery is tempting. They’re usually more cost-effective per watt-hour of storage capacity, and it can feel like a one-and-done solution that you can just plug into your solar inverter and walk away from.

However, there are some major downsides to building a power outage backup system that is reliant on a single battery for all of its power storage:

• If that one battery fails due to age, cycling issues, charging problems, or even just a loose cable, you’re left with nothing. All of that money you invested into your high-capacity battery is just a big old waste.
• If a storm takes down your solar array or clouds interfere with your solar charging, you’ve got no Plan B.
• If the outage lasts longer than expected, your single battery may not carry you through.

How to Fix the Problem:

• Go with multiple smaller batteries, like using a stack of server rack batteries, as this provides you with more opportunities for redundancy.
• Pair your system with a small inverter gas generator, not to run 24/7, but to top up your batteries for an hour or two a day when needed. This keeps things quiet, saves fuel, and gives you peace of mind when solar or grid charging isn’t available. We even put together a gas generator and power station guide and matching video that explains how this can work.
• Make sure your battery bank is sized appropriately for more than just your essential needs. We have a beginner-friendly guide to sizing battery capacity for backup power and solar power systems that could help you out here.

Mistake #2: Overestimating Solar Panel Performance

Solar panels don’t run at full capacity all the time. In fact, they rarely do. The ratings you see online and on the panels themselves are based on perfect lab conditions, meaning they’re receiving direct sunlight, positioned at the ideal angle, there are no clouds, and the panels are running at perfect operating temperatures. Real life is rarely that ideal.

In practice:

• A 400W panel could generate as little as 100W on a cloudy day.
• Off-season sun angles can cut production efficiency dramatically. Plus, there are fewer hours of sunlight during the winter months and shoulder seasons.
• Storm prep often happens under cloudy skies, making solar even less reliable. If you’re curious how solar panels work during cloudy conditions, check out our video experiment.

How to Fix the Problem:

• Oversize your solar array. Many of the top brands even recommend installing more solar panels than your inverter’s max capacity, because real-world losses are inevitable. We put together a guide to sizing solar panels for your system that is worth reading if you’re new to this stuff.
• Always have a backup charging option, whether it’s AC wall charging before a storm hits or a dual-fuel generator to keep your system alive. If you’re running a power station as your backup power solution, even something like the EcoFlow Smart Generator could be a wise investment.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Starting Watts (Surge Power Requirements)

Most people size their system for running watts, meaning the steady draw once a device is running. But many appliances need a surge of power at start up.

You may have noticed that a vacuum or air conditioner sounds much louder when you first fire them up. Some of the more demanding appliances will even cause the surrounding lights to dim for a second while they’re getting started.

Think of surge requirements almost like pedaling a bike from a standstill. It takes a lot more energy to get moving than to keep moving. The same is true for a lot of electrical loads, like home appliances and power tools.

For example:

• An air conditioner might need 10,000W just to start, even if it only needs 3,000W to continue running after it has started.
• A well pump or vacuum can also trip your inverter if surge power isn’t accounted for.

How to Fix the Problem:

• Research the surge requirements of your appliances. If it’s not listed, call the manufacturer directly or just look it up online.
• Choose an inverter that’s bigger than your average usage. If you expect to run 2,000W, don’t buy a 2,000W inverter. Instead, go bigger to allow headroom for surges and unexpected needs. Sizing your solar inverter may seem confusing, but our beginner-friendly inverter guide will walk you through the basics.

Look, we know budget comes into play here and buying an oversized inverter isn’t always going to be a practical solution for everyone. But another point that’s worth considering is the fact that oversizing will allow you to expand your system in the future.

Let’s say you purchase something like the Rich Solar Nova 12K or EG4 12,000XP Inverter, rather than an EG4 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter. Thanks to having double the output and input with either of those two units, you’re going to have a lot more headroom there for adding more solar panels, increasing your battery storage, or even just running more demanding appliances.

Not only are you going to have a way higher surge capacity by going with a more powerful inverter, it’s going to make future upgrades and expansion efforts a lot less complicated and stressful. Plus, you may even save money by not having to replace your inverter entirely because you already accounted for future expansions in the beginning.

Mistake #4: Forgetting the Little Stuff

Your backup system is only as strong as its weakest link. We’ve seen expensive, high-capacity solar power setups fail because of one missing adapter or extension cord.

Imagine finally setting up your solar panels, batteries, and all of your other components, only to realize you’re missing a cable during the outage. Basically, nothing works because of one little oversight. 

It’s not only frustrating, it’s a complete waste of all your time, money, and efforts.

How to Fix the Problem:

• Do a dry run of your full system before storm season. Set it up exactly as you’d use it in an outage, meaning you actually use your backup power system to run your lights, appliances, charge essential devices, and anything else you can think you’d need during a power outage situation.
• Make a checklist of accessories: extension cords, adapter cables (MC3/MC4, barrel adapters, etc.), extra fuel, and anything else you might need. It’s also worth making sure that all of your inputs and outputs are working correctly. Are your solar panels generating enough power to charge your batteries, or is something preventing them from doing so?
• Don’t wait until the next big storm hits! Fix any gaps in your off-grid power system’s performance right now, when you have time to order and install components.

Our Final Words on Smarter Backup Prep

If you’ve made one (or more) of these mistakes, you’re not alone. Most people do, and even we did when we were first starting out.

The good news? Now you know better. With the right preparation, you can build a reliable backup system that won’t leave you stranded in the dark. 

We also recommend taking the following steps if you’re still feeling a little lost or underprepared:

• Check out the Anker SOLIX Home Backup Course for more in-depth guides, strategies, and a quiz to test your knowledge (you could even win some gear).
• If you’re not sure which power station is right for you, try our Power Station Quiz. It only takes a minute to fill out, but you’ll be paired with what we believe is the best option for your power needs and budget.

Stay safe, prep smart, and as always, stay charged.