The crucial role batteries play in home solar power systems

When investing in a piece of technology, one’s goal is obviously to maximize its utility. Consequently, when considering a solar power system for your home, you should give serious thought to incorporating a battery. Firstly, it makes financial sense to invest in a complete system up front rather than to have to add extras later. Secondly, while it is always possible to do so, it invariably works out cheaper to include a battery backup when doing your primary installation. The fact is simply that batteries are a crucial component of home solar installations.

Surprisingly, though, only 4% of solar PV projects came with a battery backup in 2020, according to one industry report. That number is slated to grow considerably, though, for residential solar applications going forward. Let’s consider some of the reasons why.

Solar battery backup is a crucial component of a good installation

Why a solar battery backup is crucial

The most obvious benefit of a battery backup is the security it provides when an emergency power outage occurs. With the proliferation of bad weather incidents in recent times, this is an issue that obviously merits serious consideration.

When such emergencies occur, it is a requirement that all private solar installations shut down, to facilitate repair work on the commercial grid. Because of the crucial need for safety while repairmen are busy on the line, home installations must be shut down.

Are all battery backup systems the same?

When choosing a battery backup system there are a variety of alternatives available. Even the cheapest and most basic of these will provide backup power, but only for a limited portion of your home energy requirements. Consequently, when choosing one of these, you will have to specify exactly which parts of your home you want to receive power. While you can add more batteries later, the cost of purchasing enough to feed the whole house could invariably be prohibitive. The answer is to install a properly designed backup battery bank when doing the initial installation.

How does net metering alleviate this crucial problem?

When you install a solar panel system, a good installation company will strongly recommend that you simultaneously include net metering facilities. This means that on sunny days, when your solar panels are producing more electricity than you require, you can automatically export that excess electricity back to your grid utility supplier. There it remains to your credit, and you can draw it back from the grid at times when your panels are not delivering sufficient power. You pay only for the net difference.

There is an even more important advantage that batteries provide

Instead of exporting the entire excess production from your system to the grid, you can first use it to charge your battery, and export the balance to the grid. Then, for example, when you’re using electricity after the sun’s gone down, you can draw from your solar battery instead of from the commercial grid.

There are multiple advantages to this. Firstly, you can use your stored solar power during times when grid power is at a high rate. This allows you to power your home during the more cost-efficient times, without relying entirely on the grid.

Secondly, this stored power is instantaneously available during power outages when the grid and your system shut down for repairs.

The outcome is that batteries offer optimum backup flexibility; a crucial advantage for homeowners with solar power installations.

Choosing the ideal battery for your home

What you need from a battery depends on the size and capacity of your system and your home’s power requirements. When considering your budget, a smaller battery may seem more appealing.  that can be false economy in the long run. You need to take into account what a prolonged power outage could mean. Especially during these difficult times when so many of us are largely working from home. It is crucial that your communications with the outside world remain intact. In addition, you want your lights, heating and cooling and kitchen installations to remain working.

Planning is crucial

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to picking the best battery for your home. One thing’s for sure, though—once you have one working with your solar power system, you’ll never look back.

So, start planning right away! fill in our simple online form and take advantage of our completely free, no obligation estimate, for a system that will fully meet all your unique requirements.

Investing in a home solar energy solution can seem like a daunting challenge. That’s why Renewable Energy Corporation is here. We’ll give you all the information you need. You’ll be able to choose a system that’s exactly right for you at a price that suits you!