Blackouts in California: What You Need to Know (and How to Be Ready)
A quiet California neighborhood under an afternoon sky tinted by wildfire haze—reminding homeowners of the growing need for energy resilience in the face of climate-driven blackouts.
If you live in California, you’ve likely experienced the sudden hum of your home going quiet, the flicker of lights dimming, or the heat of summer intensifying when your A/C shuts off mid-cycle. Whether planned or unexpected, blackouts are becoming more common—and they’re not going away anytime soon.
Let’s break down why they happen, what to expect, and how to protect your home and family.
Why Are Blackouts Happening More Often?
Planned Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
These are intentional outages by utilities like PG&E or SCE to prevent wildfires during dangerous weather. When high winds and dry conditions hit, they cut the power—sometimes for days—to reduce the risk of downed lines starting fires.
According to PG&E, PSPS events are most common between May and November and are announced 24–48 hours in advance.
Unexpected Outages
These are unplanned and often happen with no notice. Causes include:
Extreme heat overwhelming the grid
Rolling blackouts ordered by California ISO (CAISO)
Equipment failure or aging infrastructure
Fires or wind-related damage to power lines
In 2020, CAISO issued the first statewide rolling blackouts in nearly 20 years.
Summer Is the Danger Zone
California’s power grid is under the most pressure during extreme heat events, especially in the late afternoon and evening. Everyone is running their A/C at the same time, and when demand outpaces supply, the state may order rotating outages to avoid a full grid collapse.
Even if there’s no fire nearby, your neighborhood could go dark with zero notice just to stabilize the system.
The California Energy Commission expects these risks to grow in the coming years.
What You Can Do
Stay Informed
Sign up for alerts from your utility provider
Register with Cal Alerts to get emergency notifications
Follow local news during Red Flag Warnings and Flex Alerts
Build a Backup Plan
Here’s what to keep on hand:
Flashlights (with extra batteries)
Power banks or backup phone chargers
Ice packs or a cooler for medications
Shelf-stable food and water
Manual garage door release
Consider Solar + Battery Storage
More California homeowners are investing in solar energy systems with battery backup to stay powered during outages. These systems can:
Keep your lights, fridge, and internet running
Power medical devices or security systems
Give you independence from the grid
Reduce your utility bill year-round
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends solar battery systems for areas with unstable grids.
The Bottom Line
Blackouts—planned or not—are a fact of life in California. But you don’t have to be caught off guard. With the right information and a little planning, you can ride out power outages safely. And if you’re ready to take full control? Solar + battery storage can make sure you never lose power again.
Want to see what energy resilience looks like for your home?
Contact Viva Energy today for a free, custom quote on solar + battery storage.
References
PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs
California ISO Flex Alerts
California Energy Commission Data & Reports
https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac/california-electricity-data
U.S. Dept. of Energy Solar + Battery Systems Guide
https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/solar-battery-systems-101
CalAlerts Emergency Notifications