When investing in solar panels, you want to get the most out of your money and the energy you are generating. This is why you may also want to invest in a solar battery.
Solar batteries help you make the most out of your money and the electricity your solar panels are generating.
However, their initial cost can be off-putting and may not be a worthwhile investment for some households.
Read on to find out more about solar batteries and whether you should invest in one.
What is a Solar Battery?
Solar batteries, or solar power storage, allow the energy generated from your solar panels to be stored. The stored electricity can then be used at a later time.
It is a great option for those with solar panels to make the most out of the energy their panels have generated.
How Do Solar Batteries Work?
Solar batteries are the key to unlocking your solar power system’s potential.
They work by storing the excess electricity to be used later instead of selling it back to the grid. This means that when your panels aren’t generating electricity – such as through the night – your appliances and devices will still have power.
The two main batteries currently used are lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. They are both designed to handle the cyclic charging and discharging required for solar energy storage.
When sunlight hits a solar panel, the solar cells in the panel convert the sunlight into electrical energy. It does this in the form of direct current (DC).
This DC electricity then flows to the inverter which converts the DC into alternating current (AC). This then can be used to power household appliances and devices.
If you are generating more electricity than your home currently requires then the DC can be taken from the solar panels and used to charge the battery
During the night when your home demands electricity, the solar battery releases the electricity needed. It releases the electricity to power the appliances and devices that require it. This means you are making full use of the electricity your solar panel system has generated even when it isn’t generating any energy.
Do I Need a Solar Battery?
No! Not everyone needs a solar battery. However, there are some things to consider if you are not sure whether to get one.
Batteries can be an additional cost to an already expensive solar power system. However, it can be a worthwhile investment – just as solar panels are.
If you are going to be using the majority of your energy during peak sunlight hours, then solar panels on their own may be the better option for you.
Whether that be because you work from home, home during the day, or because you run your appliances such as your dishwasher or washing machine during daylight hours.
Any remaining energy that’s not used can be sold through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Keep in mind that not all energy providers who purchase solar electricity will accept it if it has been stored in a battery.
However, most households are not home during the day. Therefore, they are not able to use most of the energy they are generating. Unless, of course, they have a solar battery.
If you are more likely to be using more energy during the evenings when the sun is going down or at peak usage times, then investing in a battery may be the best option financially in the long term. This allows you to continue to use your generated energy even when your solar panels aren’t generating anything.
Investing in Solar Power
Solar panels and solar batteries are an investment, but a worthwhile investment for a lot of people. It can cut their reliance on the national grid and cut their energy bills.
As well as this, generating your electricity through solar panels is also a way to lower your carbon footprint.
At Homeshield Scotland, we help provide homeowners with ways to make their homes more energy efficient.
We have been installing renewables such as solar panels and batteries in customers homes for a number of years.
Start your journey to a cheaper and greener future here.
