Solar panels are a great way to capture free, clean energy from the sun for yourself or to feed the solar power to the grid for more savings on your utility bill. However, attaching a solar battery bank gives you real energy independence. Whether you’re new to the world of solar power and searching for the best system for your building or have had your home outfitted with solar panels for years, a solar battery can make a tremendous difference in the efficiency and versatility of your solar setup. Solar batteries store the excess energy generated by your solar panels, which can be used to power your home during gloomy, rainy days, or after the sun sets.
You can never be too prepared. With a battery backup for your grid-tied solar system, you’ll always have power when the grid goes down or an emergency strikes. Browse our selection of battery backup systems below to explore more.
Solar Battery Types
The four main types of batteries used in the world of solar power are lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and flow batteries.
- Lithium-ion batteries – These are the most popular type of solar battery, and they are known for their longevity. When properly cared for, they can last up to twenty years. This makes them a great choice for larger solar energy systems.
- Lead acid batteries – These are also popular, but they tend to have a shorter lifespan. With proper care, they can last between five to ten years. Sealed lead acid batteries tend to have the shortest lifespan, typically lasting less than five years.
- Nickel-cadmium batteries –These batteries are rarely used in residential settings and are most popular in airline and industrial applications due to their high durability and unique ability to function at extreme temperatures. These batteries require relatively low amounts of maintenance when compared to other battery types.
- Flow batteries – Flow batteries depend on chemical reactions. Energy is reproduced by liquid-containing electrolytes flowing between two chambers within the battery. Though flow batteries offer high efficiency, with a depth of discharge of 100%, they have a low energy density, meaning the tanks containing the electrolyte liquid must be quite large to store a significant amount of energy. Flow batteries are much better suited to larger spaces and applications.
5 Reasons Why You Need a Solar Battery Backup
1) TO KEEP THE POWER ON DURING A POWER OUTAGE
A battery backup for your solar energy system can be a lifesaver during a power outage. With battery backup, you can keep your home powered up with solar energy when the main power source fails. The batteries are designed to store energy generated from the sun and use it to power your home when the electric grid is not available.
2) TO KEEP YOUR DEVICES CHARGED
Having a battery backup for solar panels is a great way to ensure that your devices stay charged during a power outage. A battery backup system stores excess energy from the solar panel during peak hours and releases it when the demand is high, such as during an outage.
3) TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL
A solar power system is an excellent way to save money on your electric bill. If you have a battery backed solar system, you will be able to use the stored energy during peak demand hours or when electricity rates are high. In other words, having a battery backup for your solar panels can help you take advantage of time-of-use electricity rates to maximize savings on your electric bill.
4) TO BE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY
Battery backup for solar systems ensures that when there is a power outage, your home or business will still have access to power. This can be particularly helpful if you are in an area that experiences natural disasters like snow and ice storms, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.
5) TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
During sunny days, your battery backup for solar will be charged with the energy produced by your solar panels, allowing you to rely less on grid power, which often comes with higher costs. This means that you’ll be able to save money while helping to reduce the strain on traditional power sources.
Conclusion
Solar power is available for only part of the day. Adding a solar power storage battery system ensures you always have power when the sun isn’t out or during a power outage. A professional solar electricity system installer can help you select a battery that works well with your goals, whether you want to be entirely off-grid, have an emergency store for outages or minimize your costs from the electric company during peak hours.
