6 misconceptions about solar in disaster zones — and the truth
By Mikey Heinz, CEO of Bright Ops | In disaster-prone regions like Puerto Rico, Florida, and California, solar power often finds itself at the center of debate. Despite rapid advancements in distributed energy and storage, outdated assumptions continue to shape public opinion and even policy decisions. These misconceptions don’t just hold back progress, they leave communities more vulnerable during blackouts, storms, and grid failures.
Having spent years deploying solar and storage systems in real-world disaster scenarios, I’ve seen firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and what could have made a difference if the right choices had been made earlier. The stakes are high, and the lessons are clear.
Here are six of the most common myths still holding back adoption in high-risk zones, and the realities that need to replace them.
Misconception #1: Solar doesn’t work when the grid Is down
This is one of the most persistent misunderstandings. In a traditional grid-tied system, yes, solar stops working when the grid goes down. But that’s not the full story. When you add storage, the equation changes entirely.
In Puerto Rico, we saw homes powered by rooftop solar and batteries stay online event as surrounding neighborhoods remained in the dark. And even if the battery drained overnight, these systems didn’t go down — they simply transitioned to solar power at sunrise, resuming full functionality without delay. Families ran refrigerators, fans, medical equipment, and even powered entire multi-room households off solar-plus-storage systems during grid outages that lasted weeks.
This shift isn’t just technical, it’s behavioral. In areas with even occasional outages, homeowners are no longer thinking of solar just as a way to save money on bills. They’re seeing it as a path to energy independence and peace of mind when the grid can’t be trusted.
The truth: Solar + storage systems provide reliable backup power when the grid fails, and change the stakes for communities facing recurring blackouts.
Misconception #2: Solar can’t withstand extreme weather
This one still shows up in conversations with policy stakeholders and even some field professionals. The reality is that modern solar panels are engineered for durability. Most systems are rated for wind speeds of 140-160 mph, and in many storm-prone markets, building codes demand it.
But design only gets you so far. Installation quality is what makes or breaks resilience. After Hurricane Fiona, only two panels out of thousands of Bright Ops installs were damaged — an outcome driven not by special equipment, but by sound engineering practices. We focused on proper racking, tight anchoring, and adaptive layouts on the concrete rooftops common across Puerto Rico.
This isn’t just a story about hardware. It’s about discipline in the field. Systems that are installed to withstand the environment can outperform traditional infrastructure, and often do.
The truth: Properly engineered and installed solar systems are built to survive extreme weather and perform reliably under pressure.
Misconception #3: Solar is too expensive for relief efforts
Cost objections come up all the time, especially when working with nonprofits, municipalities, or community organizations. But this line of thinking ignores the full lifecycle costs of alternative solutions.
After Hurricane Maria, entire neighborhoods running on generators ran dry within days. No fuel trucks, no backup power, just silence. Meanwhile, solar + storage systems powered back up automatically as soon as the sun came out. No refueling needed. No fumes. No noise.
Diesel generators seem cheaper up front, but add in fuel logistics, ongoing maintenance, noise pollution, and air quality concerns, and the economics tilt quickly in solar’s favor. Plus, with third-party ownership models, PPAs, and no-money-down lease options, communities can now access these systems without the capital hurdle that used to block adoption.
The truth: Solar and storage often cost less over time than generators and provide uninterrupted energy when it matters most.
Misconception #4: Solar hurts grid reliability
The old utility narrative that solar destabilizes the grid has not kept up with reality. Today’s systems, especially those paired with storage, are often grid-positive.
In Puerto Rico, we’ve worked with LUMA to roll out virtual power plant (VPP) programs that allow homes to store solar energy and export it back to the grid when demand peaks. These distributed energy resources reduce pressure on the system, helping to prevent brownouts and blackouts.
This kind of infrastructure is only going to become more important as energy demand rises. With EV adoption accelerating and data centers expanding, peak load will increase dramatically in the coming years. Distributed solar-plus-storage isn’t a threat to utilities. It’s an answer.
The truth: Modern solar systems enhance grid stability, reduce peak demand, and turn individual homes into energy assets.
Misconception #5: Batteries are dangerous or unreliable
Battery systems sometimes make headlines when something goes wrong, but those cases are the exception, not the rule. What doesn’t make headlines are the tens of thousands of installations running flawlessly every day.
Today’s battery technology includes multiple layers of protection. We work with partners like SolarEdge, who embed safety into every layer of their systems from module-level shutdown, real-time voltage regulation, remote diagnostics, and firmware that can be updated without setting foot on-site.
Installers and field teams also play a critical role. When commissioning is done properly and crews are trained on system behavior, battery safety is well within the margin of risk accepted for everyday appliances.
The truth: Batteries are among the most tested, monitored, and regulated technologies in the home, and they’re getting safer every year.
Misconception #6: Solar is a temporary fix
In emergency response contexts, solar is sometimes treated like a quick patch: get panels up fast, provide short-term power, and pull it all down later. But that thinking limits long-term value.
Some of our best work in Puerto Rico has lasted for years. We partnered with local crews, trained them, and handed over systems that continue to deliver daily energy, lower electricity bills, and build self-reliance in communities. These systems didn’t just survive the last storm, they’re preparing communities for the next one.
The impact is economic, educational, and cultural. Once people experience what solar can do in an emergency, they begin to see what it can do long-term.
The truth: Solar isn’t a stopgap solution. It’s a durable, long-term asset that builds resilience and energy sovereignty.
Across disaster zones and underserved regions, solar professionals are doing much more than installing panels. They’re helping to stabilize communities. They’re keeping critical facilities running. They’re making sure families can cook, store food, stay cool, and feel safe, even when everything else goes dark.
This is no longer a theoretical conversation. The proof is on the rooftops. The myths are fading. Now it’s time to scale what works.
Mikey Heinz is the CEO of Bright Ops, leading a large-scale operations team supporting thousands of monthly installations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. With a focus on scalable execution and energy resilience, he’s built one of the largest solar operations networks in the market.
