Solar energy storage can increase the resiliency of solar PV systems, help with the timing of peak energy demand, and provide better monitoring capabilities. It can be co-located with or placed next to a solar panel system or stand-alone.
Energy storage protects your pocketbook against utility rate increases and gives you greater energy self-sufficiency. It also helps you qualify for additional incentives like California’s SGIP program.
How They Work
Solar energy storage systems store the electricity your solar panels produce for later use. This can help you reduce your energy costs and increase the self-sufficiency of your system. It is also an excellent option for people who are on utilities that don’t offer net metering.
When paired with solar, battery storage helps to balance electricity loads and provide backup power during outages. It can also help homeowners save money by lowering their energy bills during peak demand hours. In addition, it can help with grid stability by improving system frequency regulation.
Some batteries can be co-located with a solar panel or mounted on a solar array, while others stand alone. Regardless of configuration, these systems are becoming increasingly important for homeowners and businesses looking to become more energy-independent.
Solar energy storage helps make solar more efficient by reducing the amount of energy exported back to the utility during peak hours. This can help prevent high utility rates from occurring, and it also helps eliminate the need for expensive fossil fuel generation. Additionally, solar storage can be used to offset energy usage during times of extreme weather. For example, storms, wildfires, or other disruptions impact the grid. This is a significant benefit for those who live in areas with frequent outages.
Why You Need Them
The primary reasons to invest in solar energy storage are power resiliency, electricity cost savings, and increased energy self-sufficiency. Solar-plus-storage systems lower their electric bills by allowing homeowners to use all of the clean, renewable electricity produced by their solar panels during the day and then store them for use at night or on cloudy days.
These systems are also an excellent solution for people on utility time-of-use (TOU) rates that don’t fairly compensate them for the excess electricity they send back to the grid. Batteries enable them to get around this limitation by charging their batteries during the day with cheaper grid energy or solar electricity and then discharging that energy during peak hours to avoid high-demand charges.
Solar energy storage is becoming more affordable and available as lithium-ion battery technology becomes increasingly mature and affordable. Depending on your solar panel size, capacity, and energy usage, you can significantly reduce your electric bill with solar-plus-storage. It can even help you eliminate your utility bill, especially if your home has an abundance of sunlight and is on a favorable rate structure. Solar-plus storage also takes you a step closer to an off-grid lifestyle, and it is safer, more reliable, and environmentally friendly than traditional backup generators. Find out how much you can save with a solar-plus-storage system by getting your free online quote from EnergySage today.
Installation
One of the best reasons to get a solar power system is to pair it with energy storage. It allows homeowners to power their homes with affordable electricity even when the sun goes down. This is especially important for those who live in areas that experience frequent power outages or those who want to operate an “off-grid” solar system.
Battery-powered solar systems also allow homeowners to avoid time-of-use rates from their utility company. These rates increase during peak energy use times — usually evenings when people are home and using power. Homeowners can save significant money on energy costs by pulling from a solar energy storage system instead of the grid during these times.
Solar batteries also improve grid stability by regulating the frequency of the electricity sent from your home to your local grid. They do this by monitoring the voltage and current of the grid power and adding energy as needed.
Maintenance
A solar battery system provides backup power and energy independence and reduces electricity bills, but only if maintained properly. It’s essential to work with a qualified installer who understands the different types of batteries, how each operates, and the optimal depth of discharge (DoD) for each type. It’s also important to know whether you want a battery system that only charges and discharges using solar panels or if you will integrate it with your home or business energy systems.
Storage can be done through lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and even molten salt. Each offers advantages and disadvantages. Lead-acid batteries are pocket-friendly but don’t hold charge for long periods and have a shorter lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries have a longer DoD and are ideal for solar applications. Nickel-cadmium and molten salt batteries are more expensive but safe and durable for off-grid use.
One of the main reasons homeowners get solar batteries is their ability to take advantage of time-of-use rates. Electricity rates are often higher during the day because of peak demand. Solar battery systems can optimize energy use throughout the day, reducing utility bills and saving on installation costs. This is called load shifting. In addition, it can provide energy independence and lower electricity bills even more than a solar PV system alone.
