Solar energy has long been touted as the primary green energy source that would help reduce carbon gas emissions. However, many factors kept the industry from experiencing tremendous expansion over the years, including the high prices of solar batteries.
Fortunately, things are slowly starting to change, and solar batteries are becoming more affordable than ever. Also, solar energy is proving to be far much economical than using the main electric grid.
But with that said, when’s the right moment to install these solar batteries? If you’ve been searching for the answer to this question, then you’ve come to the right place.
How Do Solar Batteries Work?
Understanding how the solar batteries you bought from Red Earth would work is essential before installing them. Take note that solar batteries store energy generated by solar panels, which are only functional when there’s sunlight.
In the daytime, the solar panels charge the solar batteries, which convert electricity generated from DC to AC power and store it for use later. When darkness sets in, you rely on the energy stored in the batteries to power your home.
What’s The Ideal Moment To Install Solar Batteries?
It’s recommended that you install solar panels and solar batteries at the same time. And while the cost for simultaneously installing these two is substantial, it will prove to be a wise investment in the long run.
However, the simultaneous installation of solar panels and solar batteries provides you with certain benefits. This includes:
1. Lower Electricity Bills
The high electricity bills charged by energy providers are undoubtedly the reason many people are making the switch to solar panel systems. However, you can’t maximize the benefits of solar panels without simultaneously installing solar batteries. Without solar batteries, you’re left without an option but to use power from the main grid at night. As a result, you’d need to pay for the electricity.
If you wish to circumvent all these costs, make sure to install the solar panels and batteries simultaneously.
2. Improved Energy Security
Do you want to enjoy greater energy security? If this is the case, you should consider installing a solar battery alongside your solar panels. Having these two saves you from having to worry about power outages. And if you live in an area notorious for such outages leaving you in the dark for hours, then getting both the solar panel and solar batteries is highly recommended.
3. No Wasted Energy
Solar batteries ensure you don’t waste the extra energy generated by your solar panels. But with these batteries in place, you can store the surplus energy from your home. You can sell this extra energy to the main grid to avoid wasting it and money in the process.
4. Lower Your Carbon Footprint
With global warming a significant concern, it’s good to play your part in reducing your carbon footprint. The installation of solar panels and solar batteries allows you to achieve this precisely and make your home more self-sufficient. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, solar energy is clean energy, helping reduce the carbon footprint, which is detrimental to the environment.
5. Power Is Available When Needed
Solar panels are only useful during the day when there’s sunlight. However, they don’t function at night or during cloudy days, making it necessary to use electricity from the main grid. With solar batteries in place, this shouldn’t be a concern.
This is because the solar batteries store the power generated by the solar panels during sunny days. Therefore, you don’t need to rely on electricity from the main grid, making you a lot more energy independent.
Can You Add Solar Batteries To An Existing System?
The complexity of adding solar batteries is determined partly by whether the solar panel system was designed for this purpose. Here are three ways to add solar batteries:
1. DC Couple System
This method usually involves replacing the inverter with one which works with both the solar panels and battery. These are called hybrid inverters, which convert DC power to AC power. You should opt for the DC coupling if you have an inverter that’s almost at the end of its useful life.
2. Storage-Ready Solar Panel System
This is the most affordable method of installing solar batteries to an existing solar panel system as you need fewer materials and labor. However, you should have the aptitude for installing equipment to make it work.
3. AC Coupled System
The last way is through the AC Coupled system, which works by getting another inverter, referred to as the storage inverter, to charge the battery in addition to the traditional inverter. The power generated by solar panels gets directed to the inverter where it’s converted to AC power. Consequently, the inverter then sends the power to the solar batteries when more electricity is generated to your home or the grid if the batteries get charged fully.
Takeaway
The capability of solar batteries to store solar panel-generated electricity made it possible for people to stop relying on the main grid. Consequently, it increased the popularity of solar energy.
But the manner of installation is often something many new solar energy users are left uncertain. This detailed article has highlighted the best moment to install solar batteries and the benefits you’ll enjoy with them in place.
