The benefits of solar power are well-known. Environmentally speaking, just one 10 kW solar roof can eliminate roughly four tons of carbon emissions annually. The average household or business can also expect to save as much as $1,500 on their electricity bills annually with a 10-15kw solar panel installation.
Those figures are undeniably tempting, but you may still have some solar power-related concerns. For instance, how can those sun-reliant panels produce energy after dark? And, what happens if you produce more energy than you can reasonably use?
Solar battery storage is the answer to both questions.
Solar battery systems, also known as solar-plus systems, that work by storing excess solar power for future use can ensure that your solar system is always operating at peak performance, even on cloudy days or after dark!
But, how do battery systems work with solar power? Keep on reading to find out.
How Battery Systems Work
As mentioned, solar battery systems work by storing any excess energy produced by your solar panel setup. You can then easily access this power during times of increased energy usage, after dark, or during the winter months when sunlight is limited.
The two primary battery systems used for this purpose are lithium-ion and Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4) batteries, which are both perfectly designed to handle the charging and discharging of solar energy stores.
But how can batteries possibly store sunlight? It’s a complex idea to get your head around. In reality, though, the science couldn’t be simpler. Solar battery storage systems work much the same as any other battery arrangement. In this case, the sunlight is your direct current (DC), which flows to the inverter (Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla etc), where it’s converted into alternating current (AC) for home use.
If electricity demand is lower at certain times, DC can instead be used to produce a battery charge that you can access as and when you need it.
How Do Batteries Pair With Solar Panels?
Of course, you know the basics of how a battery works. You may be less familiar with how batteries can pair with solar panels.
The answer to this question ultimately depends on what stage of your solar panel process you choose to install a battery, as follows:
- Connecting a solar battery to a brand new panel: Installing a hybrid converter during solar installation is the best way to connect battery storage to a brand new solar setup. This is because hybrid inverters combine a battery inverter and solar inverter into one piece of equipment, making it possible to easily add solar energy storage later on.
- Adding a solar battery to an existing panel: It’s also possible to add a battery to an existing solar panel setup. For this, you’ll require separate battery and dedicated battery inverters. The battery should be connected to the AC side of the inverters, thus allowing for connected energy transfers.
The Key Benefits of Battery Energy Storage
There are as many tempting benefits to installing battery systems on your solar panel as there are reasons to get solar panels in the first place. With a reliable energy storage system in place, your solar panels will become undeniably more efficient.
Just a few of the key solar-plus storage benefits you can enjoy include –
- Lower energy bills: Cost savings are a large part of the reason why you might have been tempted to get solar panels in the first place, and you can save even more money with efficient battery systems. By allowing you to draw on solar power reserves at all times, and in all conditions, battery energy storage can save solar wastage and ensure you’re always lowering the cost of your energy bills.
- Grid Independence: Battery energy storage ensures increased grid independence by always allowing you to tap into solar reserves. This is especially essential during periods such as power shortages and peak electricity times which won’t impact your battery system.
- Backup Power: We all appreciate a backup, and this is exactly what you get with solar battery systems, which provide the same reliability as a gas-powered backup generator but with none of the environmental damage, noise, or fuel cost.
- Energy Savings: Storing excess solar energy reduces the need to ever turn to fossil-fuel generated electricity. The ability to easily store any excess solar power produced can also ensure energy savings at all times.
Energy Storage 101: Could Battery Systems Be The Solar Saviors You Need?
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels, or you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your current systems, then battery systems could be a great solution. From cutting business energy costs to ensuring home energy storage in a pinch, battery systems are on-hand to boost everything from solar reliability, to grid independence, and more. Simply research your options, and seek the best battery systems for your purposes today.
