This invention is a DC-coupled, non grid-tied system comprising a solar panel, or an array of panels, a storage battery, a battery charger, an inverter, and optionally, a connection to an electric vehicle via both the regular AC charging connection and a DC connection. Unlike conventional grid-tied solar systems there is no possibility of solar or battery energy being fed back to the grid by virtue of the one-directional flow of energy through the battery chargers. The system can utilize all of the energy produced by the solar panels to provide power to critical household loads by storing electric energy in the storage battery. In the event of a grid outage, the system maintains power to the critical loads to the limits of the capacity of the batteries and the inverter, supplemented by whatever solar power is available. The energy available in an outage can be supplemented by using the main propulsion battery of an electric vehicle. The DC connection to the electric vehicle can be either indirect through the low voltage accessory system of the vehicle or direct through a high voltage quick charge port on the vehicle.