You’ve invested in residential solar panels—a great choice! You’re generating clean, renewable energy and cutting down on electricity bills. But here’s the big question: What happens when the sun goes down or on cloudy days? Does your solar power just disappear?
That’s where solar energy storage comes in. By storing excess power, you can use your solar energy whenever you need it—day or night. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about storing energy from your residential solar panels, including the best storage options, key considerations, and how to get the most out of your system.
Why Store Solar Energy?
Although most families use more energy in the evening, residential solar panels generate the greatest power during the day. In the absence of storage, whatever surplus energy you produce is returned to the system, and you might still have to purchase electricity at night.
There are various advantages of storing solar energy:
- Energy independence: Take charge of your power consumption and rely less on the grid.
- Use saved energy at night or on overcast days to get power when you need it.
- Outage prevention: During blackouts, keep the lights on.
- Maximum savings: Store extra energy rather than repurchasing it from the grid.
Storage is essential if you want to maximise the performance of your home solar panels.
How a Residential Solar Panel Storage Works
What is the precise mechanism of energy storage, then? It’s quite easy. Your home solar panels generate electricity during the day. Anything you don’t use right away can be transmitted to the grid or saved in a battery.
- You can power your house at night thanks to solar batteries, which store energy for later use.
- The stored energy is transformed into useful electricity via an inverter.
- By focusing energy where it is most required, smart energy management systems help to maximise efficiency.
You can store enough energy to run your house all day and all night long with the correct configuration.
Types of Solar Energy Storage Solutions
Types of solar energy solutions are:
1. Solar Batteries
Solar batteries are the most common way to store energy from residential solar panels. Here are your main options:
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Lead-acid batteries
- Flow batteries
2. Grid-Tied Systems with Net Metering
In areas with net metering, the energy that is superfluous rather than used gets sent back to the grid to obtain credits in one’s electricity bill. This is to use the grid as a kind of “virtual battery.” However, despite this provision, if the grid goes down, people will still use power.
3. Hybrid Systems
A hybrid system combines battery storage with a grid connection. It prioritises stored solar energy but allows you to draw from the grid when needed. This setup gives you more flexibility and security.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Solar Battery
Not every solar battery is created equal. Think about the following before making an investment:
- Capacity & Power Rating: How much energy it can store and distribute simultaneously.
The percentage of energy that can be spent before recharging is known as the Depth of Discharge (DoD). A higher DoD results in more useful energy. - Round-trip Efficiency: Charging and discharging result in some energy loss. When efficiency is higher, there is less waste.
- Lifespan & Warranty: High-quality batteries last 10 to 15 years. Review the warranty prior to purchasing.
Getting the most out of your home solar panels is ensured by selecting the appropriate battery.
Conclusion
Revolutionary energy storage added to residential solar panels lowers electricity bills, gives you more control over your power, and sends energy when you really need it. Finding a solution perfect for your house and lifestyle is critical, no matter whether you opt for hybrid, net metering, or solar batteries.
Are you prepared to upgrade your solar system? Solar Energy Solutions provides superior energy storage solutions together with knowledgeable advice. Get in touch with us right now to discuss your options and get the most out of your solar investment!
