How long do PSPS power shutoffs last in 2026?

Most PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) events in Southern California last 1 to 5 days, though the most severe shutoffs stretch to 6 or 7 days for customers in high-risk transmission corridors. SCE's own post-event reports and CPUC filings confirm that the median customer-hours-without-power per PSPS event has trended longer as fire weather windows have widened in recent years.

Last verified: July 2026 by Helios Energy Global.

Understanding that range matters enormously for battery sizing, food spoilage planning, and medical equipment decisions. A shutoff that ends in 18 hours is an inconvenience; one that runs 5 days in July heat is a health and safety event.

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What the numbers actually look like

Scenario	Typical duration	Customers affected (SCE estimate)	Notes
Minor wind event, lower-risk zones	4–18 hours	Hundreds to low thousands	Often restored same day
Moderate fire-weather PSPS	1–3 days	Tens of thousands	Most common pattern
Severe wind event (e.g., Jan 2025)	3–7 days	Hundreds of thousands	Includes transmission damage
Extreme multi-day offshore wind	Up to 7+ days	Varies by circuit	Rarer; highest-risk corridors
Home battery (13 kWh unit) coverage	~1–1.5 days (essential loads)	—	Estimate; depends on usage
Home battery (2 × 13 kWh) coverage	~2–3 days (essential loads)	—	Estimate; solar recharge extends this

Duration estimates based on SCE PSPS event archive and CPUC post-event reports. Battery coverage figures are estimates assuming 500–800 Wh/day for essential loads (refrigerator, lights, phone, fan).

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How SCE decides to shut off power — and how long it stays off

SCE monitors a combination of weather forecasts, live sensor data from roughly 1,500 weather stations across its territory, and real-time grid conditions. When the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning and wind speeds at key transmission points are forecast to exceed safe thresholds (typically sustained winds above 30–40 mph or gusts above 50–60 mph, depending on the circuit), SCE can initiate a PSPS.

The shutoff process, step by step:

• ~48 hours before: SCE sends automated calls, texts, and emails to affected customers. Watch their PSPS alerts page to register.
• ~24 hours before: More targeted notifications go out as the weather window narrows.
• Event start: Circuits are de-energized, sometimes in stages by geographic risk zone.
• During the event: SCE crews cannot begin line patrols until wind speeds drop to safe levels — this alone can add 12–24 hours to restoration time even after the weather clears.
• Patrol and repair: Every mile of de-energized line must be physically inspected before power is restored. If damage is found, repairs happen before re-energization. This is why post-wind restoration is slower than a standard outage.
• Restoration: Re-energization happens circuit by circuit, not all at once. Customers at the end of a long rural circuit are typically last.

The patrol-and-repair phase is the biggest wildcard. In a clean shutoff with no actual damage found, restoration can happen within hours of winds dying down. When lines are damaged — as happened in January 2025 — restoration can take days per circuit.

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January 2025: What that windstorm actually showed us

The January 2025 windstorm events across greater Los Angeles were a stress test that exposed the upper end of PSPS duration for many SCE customers. Some households in the Foothill communities, parts of the San Gabriel Valley, and areas near Altadena went without utility power for 5 to 7 days — a combination of PSPS shutoffs, wind damage to lines, and the sheer scale of simultaneous restoration work across the system.

For homeowners who had solar panels but no battery storage, the experience was clarifying and frustrating: panels on the roof, sun in the sky, and zero power in the house. Grid-tied solar systems without storage shut down automatically during an outage for electrical safety reasons. Neighbors with solar-plus-battery systems were running refrigerators, keeping phones charged, and in some cases powering medical equipment throughout.

That 5–7 day window is now the planning benchmark we use when talking to homeowners in SCE territory about battery sizing. It's not the average — but it's the scenario you actually need to be ready for.

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LADWP and municipal utilities: a different situation

If you're served by LADWP rather than SCE, the PSPS picture is different. LADWP is a municipal utility and is not subject to CPUC-mandated PSPS protocols in the same way investor-owned utilities are. LADWP has conducted targeted de-energizations during extreme fire weather, but historically at a smaller scale and shorter duration than SCE events.

Other Southern California municipal utilities — Pasadena Water and Power, Burbank Water and Power, Glendale Water and Power, Anaheim Public Utilities — similarly operate under their own frameworks. If you're a customer of one of these utilities, check directly with your provider for their specific PSPS or emergency de-energization policies.

That said, municipal utility customers are not immune to extended outages. Wind damage, transmission faults, and grid events can still leave you without power for days — the PSPS label just may not apply. Battery backup provides the same resilience value regardless of which utility serves your home.

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How to size a battery for PSPS resilience

The right battery size depends on two things: how long you need to last and whether your solar panels can recharge the battery during the outage.

Essential-loads-only approach (most common)

Most homeowners back up a critical load panel: refrigerator, some lights, phone and laptop charging, a fan or small window AC unit, and medical devices if applicable. That typically runs 400–900 Wh per hour depending on the mix.

• One 13–15 kWh battery (e.g., a single storage unit in the $10,000–$16,000 installed range): covers roughly 1 to 2 days of essential loads without solar recharge.
• Two batteries (26–30 kWh): covers 2 to 4 days of essential loads without solar recharge.
• Solar + one battery: If the sun is out, even a modest 6–8 kW system can generate 20–35 kWh on a good Southern California day, effectively extending your battery indefinitely through the outage — assuming the fire weather has passed and skies are clear.

The January 2025 scenario — 5 to 7 days — argues for either two batteries or one battery paired with a solar system large enough to recharge it daily. We walk through the math for your specific home in a free custom design session.

Whole-home backup (less common, higher cost)

Running central HVAC, an electric range, or an EV charger through a PSPS event requires significantly more storage — often 3 or more battery units. Most homeowners find essential-loads-only backup to be the practical and cost-effective choice.

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SGIP battery incentives in 2026: waitlisted

California's Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) offers rebates for home battery storage, with enhanced incentives for customers in High Fire Threat Districts — which covers a large portion of SCE's inland territory. As of mid-2026, SGIP residential budgets are waitlisted, meaning new applicants join a queue rather than receiving immediate funding. It's worth applying now; waitlist positions do convert to rebates as new budget rounds open. We handle SGIP paperwork as part of every installation — ask about it during your consultation.

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PSPS prep checklist: what to do before the next event

Before the shutoff (when you get the 48-hour notice):

• Charge everything: phones, laptops, power banks, EV, home battery system.
• Fill the freezer: a full freezer stays cold longer. Add ice if you have space.
• Refrigerator: set to coldest setting. A full fridge holds temperature about 4 hours; a freezer about 48 hours if unopened.
• Cash and medications: ATMs go down; pharmacies may close. Have a 3–5 day supply of critical medications.
• Water: if you're on a well with an electric pump, store drinking water now.
• Generator safety: if you use a portable generator, run it outside only, never in a garage or near windows.

During the shutoff:

• Unplug sensitive electronics to protect against surge when power returns.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• Use your battery system for essential loads only to maximize duration.
• Check SCE's outage map for restoration estimates by circuit.

After restoration:

• When in doubt, throw it out: food held above 40°F for more than 2 hours should be discarded.
• Document any losses for insurance claims.
• Evaluate your backup plan honestly — and adjust battery sizing before the next fire season.

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Frequently asked questions about PSPS outage duration

How long does a typical SCE PSPS last?

The most common SCE PSPS events last 1 to 3 days, based on CPUC post-event reports. Shorter events (under 18 hours) happen when weather clears quickly and patrol finds no damage. Longer events (4–7 days) occur when wind damage requires repairs before re-energization.

Why does SCE take so long to restore power after a PSPS?

Every de-energized circuit must be physically patrolled — by truck, helicopter, or on foot — before power can be turned back on. If crews find damaged equipment, it must be repaired first. In a large event affecting hundreds of circuits simultaneously, this inspection work alone can take 24–48 hours after the weather clears, even if no damage is found.

Can I use my solar panels during a PSPS outage?

Not without a battery. Standard grid-tied solar inverters automatically shut down during a grid outage for electrical safety reasons. To use solar power during a PSPS, you need a solar system paired with a battery (or a specific "islanding" capable inverter setup). See our solar vs. battery NEM 3 guide for more detail.

Does LADWP do PSPS shutoffs too?

LADWP has conducted targeted de-energizations during extreme fire weather, but it operates under its own municipal framework rather than CPUC PSPS rules. Events in LADWP territory have historically been smaller in scale than SCE events. LADWP customers should check ladwp.com directly for their emergency protocols.

How much does a home battery cost for PSPS backup in Southern California?

Installed home battery systems in Southern California run approximately $10,000–$16,000 per unit in 2026, before any applicable incentives. Most homes in high-risk PSPS zones benefit from one to two units. SGIP rebates may reduce the cost, though residential budgets are currently waitlisted. Visit our batteries page for current details.

Is there a federal tax credit for home batteries in 2026?

The 30% federal residential clean energy tax credit expired on December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit available for a battery installation purchased in 2026. California's SGIP program remains the primary incentive, though it is currently waitlisted.

How do I know if my neighborhood is in a PSPS risk zone?

SCE publishes a High Fire Threat District map and allows customers to look up their address for PSPS risk level at sce.com/psps. Homes in Tier 2 and Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts are most likely to experience PSPS events. If you're in one of these zones, battery backup is worth serious consideration given the duration data above.

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Next steps

• Book a free consultation and custom design — we'll size a battery system around your actual load profile and your utility's PSPS risk level.
• See what a solar + battery system costs for your home — transparent price ranges, no surprises.
• Learn how NEM 3.0 affects SCE solar owners — critical reading if you're on SCE and considering solar.
• Compare solar-only vs. solar + battery under NEM 3 — the PSPS data makes this math different than it was two years ago.
• Explore our battery storage options — brands, sizes, and what works best in Southern California fire weather zones.
• Find your nearest Helios location — we serve Santa Monica, the Westside, South Bay, San Gabriel Valley, and surrounding communities.