Picture yourself at home during a severe summer thunderstorm, preparing a meal for your family while the washing machine whirs in the background. Suddenly, the electricity cuts out. Now, envision having a rooftop solar energy system equipped with battery storage. In the event of a power outage in your vicinity, you would remain unaffected, enjoying uninterrupted power supply.
A common misconception about solar power is that it only works when the sun is shining. While sunlight is necessary for generating electricity through solar panels, what happens when the sun goes down? Many people turn to the power grid to complement their solar energy. However, residential solar energy systems combined with battery storage can supply power at any time, regardless of weather conditions, without depending on grid backup. Here are some advantages of having a solar battery:
- Enjoy 24/7 energy access. Store surplus solar energy for those times when the sun is not shining. If you utilize a billing method called time-of-use and don’t have a solar setup, your evening electricity rates may be higher due to increased demand on the grid. However, with battery storage, you can utilize the electricity generated throughout the day later on, instead of depending on the utility for power. This solution is particularly beneficial if you reside in an area prone to frequent power outages.
- Pocketbook protection. Battery storage allows you to take advantage of inexpensive energy that has already been generated and saved, helping to keep your rates affordable and maintaining your monthly budget. Here in Vermont, those who own solar panels are given the option to sell excess electricity they generate back to the local grid in exchange for credits on their monthly electric bills.
Furthermore, the DC-coupled battery systems that we use at Building Energy allow customers to maximize the value of their solar production by charging their battery up with solar during the day and using that stored energy at night before buying grid power. This allows them to avoid paying the negative solar adjustor fee on their electric bill. - Better monitoring. A solar storage system can help you to better track the energy your system is generating through monitoring capabilities, providing an enhanced level of transparency and precision. These systems allow you to track the energy your home is producing and using in real time. You can tailor your energy use based on personal preferences, such as prioritizing certain appliances during peak periods or outages.
- More energy self-sufficiency. A solar-plus-storage system brings you closer to an “off the grid” lifestyle. With battery storage, you can minimize your reliance on the utility for electricity throughout the majority of the year. Additionally, you can maintain some battery capacity in reserve, ensuring that if a power outage occurs in your neighborhood, your home will still be illuminated.
- Self-sufficiency. Most days of the year, you won’t have to rely on electricity from your local utility company, and having some battery capacity in reserve means you can keep the lights on even when power to the grid goes out.
While it is easier and cheaper to install the panels and battery at the same time, if you’ve already installed solar panels and want to add storage, you can!
Contact Building Energy to go solar or add a battery to your system!