Solar batteries are a great way to extend the amount of energy that you can store from your solar panels. Adding a solar battery to your solar system can offer a significant economic benefit for homeowners since they are relatively new on the market, batteries can still be moderately expensive. Continue reading to see how adding a solar battery to your solar system may be beneficial in the long run.
Benefits of adding a solar battery
Solar batteries allow you to store the extra energy your solar panels produce at home instead of feeding it back into the electricity grid, this allows you to maximize your ability to use the electricity generated.
In states with net metering, such as California, you will receive a credit on your utility bill for every kilowatt-hour(kWh) of solar energy that you send back to the grid. This means that for homeowners living in an area with net metering they will not see any significant change in their savings since the electric grid is already providing them with the same benefits as a solar battery.
If your electric utilities charge based on any of the following, then investing in a solar battery could be a smart investment for homeowners to help you save more with your solar panels.
- Time-of-use (TOU) rates
California is gradually shifting to TOU rates which means the per-kWh rate you pay for electricity will change depending on the time of day.
- Demand charges
Fees that change depending on how my electricity you use. Using a solar battery can help homeowners avoid being charged a higher fee.
- Reduced or no net metering credits
Certain states give homeowners a credit for the wholesale or “avoided cost” rate, which is usually equal to the rate your utility would have paid to buy the electricity somewhere else. As a result, the monetary value of one kWh of solar power that you use at home is higher than one that you send back to the grid.
Another benefit of having a solar battery with your solar system is that it can allow your home to run off of solar energy that you have stored in the event that the electric grid goes down. Although having a solar battery can be useful for giving you a few hours of reserve energy and financial benefits, a single battery cannot sustain an entire home going completely “off the grid”. Batteries provide the most value when they are connected to the electric grid. Since most home solar batteries on the market only have enough capacity for a few hours of electricity, a single battery would not be able to run a standard American home for multiple days.
When choosing a solar battery there are a lot of options to choose from. A great place to start is researching more about the Tesla Powerwall. If you have more questions about adding a solar battery to your home connect with us today to learn more!
