Home Solar Battery: Choosing the Right Home Battery Storage System
Home Solar Systems with Batteries
Solar storage battery systems are becoming more and more commonplace for homeowners. Whether they want to reduce dependency on the grid, get off the grid entirely, or just have a backup for bad weather that causes the power to go out, installing a solar battery is a fantastic choice. The power that you generate from your solar panels will be stored in this home battery bank for later use, saving you on energy costs that you otherwise would have to expend from your local utility provider.
What Is a Solar Home Battery?
Solar panels are a great long-term savings investment, but to get the most out of them, homeowners should now pair them with battery storage. The batteries are recharged by solar energy that is captured by solar panels through sunlight. You can then use that stored energy to power your home in the event of an outage. Another alternative is to use the stored energy to save on utility costs during peak use hours, or during the night, when the sun is down. A residential solar battery is placed inside your house and connects to the critical load panel. A critical load panel is also referred to as your secondary electrical panel next to your main electrical panel. This connectivity ensures that your most important appliances and devices remain on should there ever be unintended electrical failures.
Why Choose a Solar Battery Storage System?
A lot of homeowners have solar panels and believe that they can produce enough solar energy for their home. While this might be the case in some locations, it’s not always true. Sometimes, you may still need to use power from electric companies. Solar batteries help to reduce this dependency. A battery will also allow you to use energy at peak times when pulling energy from the utility grid will cost a lot more. This higher upcharge rate is due to increased demand in electrical usage in households in the area, causing the price of energy to get more expensive. A solar battery can help offset energy costs, and acts as another reliable source of power for your home and energy needs.
Power companies charge more for electricity during peak hours and less in off-peak times. These rates exist for understandable reasons. When there is more pressure on the power grid, it costs more to produce the additional electricity to meet the demand.
This is where solar batteries help offset the energy usage during peak demand and help you save on costs in the background. With a smart battery in the home, the solar that is produced will be used intelligently when it is best to do so.
Store Your Excess Power In A Battery
When you have one or more batteries in place, all of the excess power from your solar array is stored in the battery system. You can then use the stored energy on days when the solar panels are not producing as much. This can help to reduce or eliminate the need for energy from traditional electric companies.
Security Needs
If you live in an area where the power grid is unstable, having a battery system in place will provide you with some protection. They can be used to power your home even when the grid is down. How much of your home is protected will depend on (1) how many solar battery storage systems you have installed (2) the storage capacity of those batteries. Together, you can help protect your home’s critical loads and power on through anything.
During a sales consultation, the homeowner will review the needs of their home and priorities so that their solar and battery storage system can be designed to help them achieve their goals. It is typical to protect one or two main critical load panels in the home that power major electronic appliances in the event of an outage like a fridge, HVAC system, lights, washer/dryer and dishwasher.
Environmentally Friendly
Rechargeable batteries can make your home more self-sufficient and reduce your carbon footprint. There is far less pollution using this system when compared to other forms of energy, such as fossil fuels. This is because of the reduced reliance on pulling energy from the power grid. If contributing to the world’s clean energy goals is a priority for you when making the switch to solar, it is a good idea to review your options to include a battery storage system with your project.
Quiet Battery Power
Some still rely on generators for power when needed. However, generators have a few drawbacks. For starters, they often rely on fuel for power. In cases where you can’t get out and buy more fuel, their use is limited. Additionally, generators tend to cause a lot of noise pollution that may present an issue for both you and your neighbors.
Power Outage
Rechargeable batteries can make your home more self-sufficient and reduce your carbon footprint. There is far less pollution using this system when compared to other forms of energy, such as fossil fuels. This is because of the reduced reliance on pulling energy from the power grid. If contributing to the world’s clean energy goals is a priority for you when making the switch to solar, it is a good idea to review your options to include a battery storage system with your project.
How Many Solar Batteries Are Needed to Power a House?
The answer varies based on several factors. The number of batteries needed will depend on your specific requirements. This includes things like the size of your home’s solar panel array and the amount of energy you typically use. The number of appliances you’d like to have on in case of a power outage will also be a factor when determining the amount of batteries you will need.
If you’re only considering keeping the lights on when bad weather causes a power outage, a single solar battery may be all you need. Those who want to ensure they can cover their basic energy usage, will likely want to have between two and three batteries. For those who want to go off the grid entirely, it will require a larger storage system with multiple batteries.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are merely estimates. You will want to speak to a solar sales professional to ensure you have enough batteries for the amount of energy you hope to store.
Are Solar Batteries More Expensive?
Over the years, the price of solar panels has dropped. The same is true with solar batteries. It’s estimated that the cost has fallen by around 80% over the last few years. Today, they are more affordable than ever before.
However, you need to realize that the amount you pay for solar batteries is not the most important element. You need to consider the cost of not having them.
If the power goes out, the food in your refrigerator and freezer could thaw and spoil. You might end up having flood damage when your sump pump won’t work. In some cases, you might even have to leave your home to go to a hotel for the night. Imagine all of those expenses that you would incur without solar batteries.
Additionally, when you start to reduce your reliance on the traditional electric grid, it means you will be paying less to your utility company. In some cases, you could eliminate those costs, which means the batteries could help you save money over time. They may also add to the value of your home when it comes time to sell.
Should You Use a Solar Battery System?
Having a high-quality backup power system provides you with peace of mind. You will know that you and your family will always have access to energy when it’s needed. Now that you’re educated on how solar battery storage works, the next step is to get a quote from our team at Solar Negotiators. Our team can help with all of your solar power needs and help you determine if a solar battery is right for you.
