Tesla is rolling out a new backup gateway that can help solar-powered homes keep the lights on in a power cut. The Backup Gateway 2 pairs with\u00a0the company\u2019s Powerwall battery, which collects energy from sources like rooftop solar panels. When the gateway detects a grid power failure, it switches power output to ensure the whole home receives power from the Powerwall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRolling out in the UK this month, our new Backup Gateway 2 for Powerwall will enable a number of significant new features here and around the world for customers,\u201d a Tesla spokesperson tells Inverse<\/em>. \u201cIt\u2019s the first time that Backup hardware is available for Powerwall in Europe and we are excited to bring the new functionality alongside increased connectivity, a new design, and easier installation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a big benefit for solar users looking to make the most of off-grid solutions. Solar and battery setups have helped users in the southern United States and Puerto Rico keep the lights on when hurricanes strike and disrupt the wider energy grid. Vikram Aggarwal, CEO of solar price comparison site EnergySage,\u00a0told\u00a0Inverse\u00a0in October 2017\u00a0that the current grid is an old \u201chub-and-spoke\u201d structure, and that in the wake of such disruptions, \u201cit may be time to think about more distributed generation and storage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Backup Gateway 2 can help facilitate this new model. Traditional solar setups switch off during power cuts to stop pumping energy into the offline grid. Tesla\u2019s gateway diverts the energy to ensure it keeps the lights on in the home. Each Powerwall packs 13.5 kilowatt-hours of energy when full, enough for\u00a0around 40 hours of television use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n