When a system of solar panels captures UV rays, it holds them for just a short time and uses them to power the electrical system to which it’s attached. The issue with this is that, once the sun goes down, the solar panels aren’t able to collect additional sunlight, and therefore aren’t able to provide energy to their corresponding electrical systems.
Fortunately, there is something you can do to hold the excess energy collected by your solar panels: you can utilize solar battery storage. Wondering what solar battery storage brings to the table? Curious about the pros and cons of solar battery storage.
Then read on. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Solar Battery?
Put simply, a solar battery is a battery that you can add to a building’s solar panel system. The battery accepts the excess energy produced by the sun, storing it for later use.
You don’t need to use a solar battery in order to take advantage of a solar panel system. The sun will provide adequate energy as long as it’s shining. However, when it stops shining, only a solar battery will enable a home to continue to be powered by solar energy.
A solar battery can come in handy during the night, not to mention on cloudy and overcast days. Its existence lessens the need for the city’s power grid.
The Pros and Cons of Solar Battery Storage
Solar battery storage is advantageous in a number of ways. However, it isn’t all perfect. It has its downsides as well. We’ll discuss both its upsides and its downsides now.
The Advantages of Solar Battery Storage
We’ll begin by discussing the advantages of solar batteries. These advantages include but aren’t limited to the following:
Reduce Your Reliance on the Grid
Perhaps the biggest advantage of solar batteries is that they reduce your reliance on the electrical grid. See, when you don’t have a solar battery, you essentially can’t use your solar panel system during moments of little sunlight.
So, for example, during the night, your home will have to utilize electricity from the power grid as opposed to using electricity from your solar panel system. In essence, you’re still highly reliant on the power grid.
When you install a solar battery, however, you receive power from your solar panel system, even during moments of little sunlight. The battery holds the excess power that was generated by the sun and lets you use it at a later time. In essence, it makes you less reliant on the power grid.
Provide Backup Power During Emergencies
Let’s say that a bad thunderstorm comes rolling through and temporarily knocks out the city’s power grid. You would be able to get by with a solar panel system until sundown. However, once sundown hits, you will be grasping for additional energy.
This is where a solar battery can make a difference. Your solar battery will store all of your excess solar energy, thus providing you with a backup of electricity during a power outage.
Save You Money
As noted, solar battery storage enables you to save solar energy for later use. In doing this, it enables you to use solar power during moments when the sun isn’t shining. Typically during these moments, you would be forced to use electricity from the grid.
Of course, electricity from the grid costs money. Therefore, by enabling you to use saved solar energy instead, your solar battery essentially saves you money.
Last for a Long Time
While results vary, generally speaking, solar batteries last for well over a decade. Warranties for these batteries commonly register at 10 years or more. So, while you do have to pay a lot of money for them upfront, they can end up being cost-effective in the long run.
The Disadvantages of Solar Battery Storage
Now, let’s discuss the disadvantages of solar batteries. There are only a few, and they include the following:
Cost You a Lot of Money Upfront
Solar batteries aren’t cheap. The best batteries for solar power storage can cost up to $22,000 and sometimes even beyond that figure. That’s undoubtedly a hefty price to pay, especially when you’re already paying tens of thousands of dollars for solar panels.
Note, though, that, depending on your circumstances, the amount of solar energy you save might actually cancel out the amount you spend on the battery. So, while you may have to pay a lot of money upfront, you might, indeed, save money over time.
Require Regular Maintenance
It’s not just solar battery cost that’s a problem but solar battery maintenance as well. In order to ensure the optimal functionality of your solar battery, you need to have its charge checked on a regular basis. This maintenance costs not just money but your time as well.
Have the Potential for Safety Issues
The last downside to solar battery storage systems is that they have the potential for safety issues. If they’re not properly installed and maintained, they can overheat and catch fire. This is why, if you install a solar battery, you should have it installed by a seasoned solar installation company.
Looking to Utilize Solar Battery Storage in Indiana?
Now that you know the pros and cons of solar battery storage, you might be interested in utilizing solar battery storage yourself. Need help installing solar battery storage in Indiana? If so, look no further than Huston Solar.
We’ve installed solar panel systems and solar battery storage systems on countless business properties throughout the Hoosier State. Regardless of your solar needs, our skilled and seasoned team of installers has you covered.
Contact us now to discuss your needs!
Matt Huston was born and raised in Lafayette, IN. During the summers beginning at age 13, Matt worked for the family electrical business, Huston Electric, first as a warehouse helper and then truck driver delivering material to jobsites. After graduating from Harrison High School, Matt attended Purdue University and finished at Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI) in 2013. Matt started his career as the Electrical Service Manager in Huston’s Lafayette location. Hitting the ground running, Matt built countless service-based relationships and has grown and morphed Huston Electric’s service division and market offerings. Matt was promoted to Director of Electrical Services in 2019 and was the driving force behind Huston’s solar division that launched in 2020. Currently, Matt serves as President of Huston Electric and is leading the company into its 85th year in business.
