Do I Need A Solar Battery?

As Australia continues to make its mark in the world of renewable energy with more and more houses converting to a completely green choice of energy production, the next question the solar industry faces is onsite energy storage through solar batteries. In this blog, Captain Green considers the ‘What?, How? and Why?’ regarding solar batteries, proving you with the research to make an informed decision when it comes to deciding whether solar batteries are an option for you.

So….What is a Solar Battery?

Solar panels capture the sun’s clean, renewable energy and convert it into electricity for your home or business. Theoretically, enough sunlight impacts our planet in just one hour to generate enough solar power for global requirements for an entire year. With a greater understanding of the environment and the dangerous impact of using non-renewable energy sources such as oil, gas and coal, more people are moving towards green-friendly energy sources such as solar. As renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power produce fewer greenhouse emissions, diminishing the negative effect on the environment.

The most common solar panel system in Australia is currently a grid-connected system. Your solar panel system is connected to the national grid, and you can buy electricity from electrical companies. When you have solar panels, your home or business utilises solar energy when it is available during the day. Then at night, when the solar panels do not collect energy from the sun, the power to sustain your home is taken from from the grid. When your solar system produces more than your energy consumption during the day, the excess energy is sent back to the grid. This is called “net-metering”, and when this happens, you will get a credit on your next electricity bill, which will reduce your bill amount.

Essentially bills are reduced, but not to the extent that they could be with the home is still relying on grid electricity. Adding a solar battery to a grid-connected system means a system stores excess energy instead of sending it back to the grid.

The second type of solar panel system is the stand-alone system. This system is not connected to the energy grid, acting on its own to supply homes around the clock. The variation among the two systems is the existence of a solar battery which stores surplus electricity during the day for your household at night. A highly convenient system for remote areas where grid electricity is not easily accessible; this option is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. For those with a stand-alone system, solar batteries can be a great addition to their solar system.

How do solar batteries work?

The way solar batteries work is by storing excess energy produced by your solar panels, and keeping it for later use. Many aspects can affect the amount of power generated by your solar system, for example in the night time when the sun is not shining and on overcast days when the sun does not shine. Having a solar battery installed will extend the use of your solar system’s generated energy. You will be able to access free, and renewable power already collected even when the sun is not shining, and your panels are not producing any energy. Also, a solar battery offers a short-term backup if there is a power blackout in your area.

Drawing little to no electricity from the national grid, results in lower utility bills as your home becomes more sufficient in terms of energy usage. This would lead to lower bills. When considering the type of battery for your home or business, Captain Green urges you to consider the following:

Battery life and warranty
Power capacity
Depth of discharge (DoD)

Most solar batteries’ lifespan is around five to fifteen years with longer battery life becoming more common, and technology advances. Most solar batteries will come with a warranty in either years or cycles, whichever is reached first. Power capacity refers to the maximum amount of electricity that the battery can store. Finally, the depth of discharge is the degree to which a battery can be used in relation to its total capacity. For example, if a battery has 100% depth of release, it means you can use the full battery amount to power your home. If the battery has a 50% depth of discharge, you can only use 50% of the energy storage capacity before it needs to be charged again.

Why should I invest in a solar battery?

The main reasons that households will invest in a solar battery are that in the long term they decrease your energy bills by reducing the amount of energy you draw from the grid, therefore, more savings for you to spend on the essential things. By using more solar power from your home, you become more energy independent from electricity companies, and your home becomes more environmentally friendly with the use of renewable energy. As your solar battery will store excess solar power to use irrespective of whether the sun is shining, it is available at all times, including the night-time and during blackouts.

As we move towards becoming a renewable energy nation, it’s time to start thinking about solar batteries. If you happen to have a solar system installed already, call us today, and we can talk about options in terms of introducing a solar system. If you are thinking of switching to solar, a clean and cheaper alternative of energy production, Captain Green can help. We are here to discuss how to get the benefits from solar you want, whether that be saving or environmental conscientiousness, or both! Call us today!

Still Wanting to Know If You Need a Solar Battery?

At Captain Green, our expertise and care for our customers have helped us stand the test of time. With over a decade of experience installing over 250,000 solar panels, you can be confident in our ability to provide the best solar system to fit your needs. Whether you need solar packages, panels, inverters or solar systems, we’ve got you covered.

Now that you know a bit more about how much do solar panels cost Sydney residents, we would love to hear from you. If you would like a personalised quote about setting up your solar or still curious about pricing options, get in touch with one of our experts today on 1300 361 682.