Defined term
Residential backup power
Residential backup power is electricity supplied to selected or whole-home loads when normal utility service is unavailable, using equipment configured for that operating mode.
Also known as home backup power
technology · Concept code GS-CONCEPT-051 · Last verified August 20, 2026
Definition and boundaries
Definition
Residential backup power is electricity supplied to selected or whole-home loads when normal utility service is unavailable, using equipment configured for that operating mode.
Definition claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
In plain language
When a proposal mentions Residential backup power, identify the exact equipment, configuration, and included work instead of assuming the label describes the whole system.
What it is not
It is not an automatic feature of every grid-connected solar or battery system.
Decision context
Why it matters
Supported loads, starting power, stored energy, solar recharge, transfer equipment, reserve settings, outage duration, fuel or grid availability, and operating rules determine service.
Decision-context claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
Information boundary
This page provides general educational context, not a site design, production guarantee, utility determination, contract interpretation, legal opinion, tax conclusion, or individualized financial advice. Verify property, equipment, utility, jurisdiction, program, and agreement details before acting.
Concept relationships
Affects
- Solar battery storagePublished conceptResidential backup power can affect how Solar battery storage is evaluated
Primary sources
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Valuing the Resilience Provided by Solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems
Revision NREL/BR-6A20-70679 · January 2018 · Source event as of January 1, 2018 · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Battery Storage for Resilience
Revision NREL/TP-7A40-79850 · June 2021 · Source event as of June 1, 2021 · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
What to do next
- Open the related GeoStellar guideNext step
- Return to the Solar Energy WikiNext step
- Estimate a residential solar systemNext step