Generating your own electricity and gaining independence from the grid is an exciting thought. And energy storage technologies are starting to make it possible. Coupled with your home solar system, battery storage gives you greater control over your energy usage and bills and helps you get the most from your solar investment.
What is energy storage?
Energy from the sun can be unpredictable. This means there will be times when your solar panels don't produce any power, such as when it's cloudy or dark. There are also times when they produce more energy than you can use. Energy storage technologies capture any surplus power and store it in batteries for use at a later date. In this way, you will never waste the energy your panels produce. Instead, you can simply save it and use it another time.
How can it benefit you?
Energy storage provides you with your own power bank, giving you tremendous control and foresight over your energy consumption. For example, you might choose to use your stored power when electricity prices rise or when there's a power failure. However you decide to use it, having a supply of power that's your own yields huge benefits. Here's a closer look at the advantages:
1. Round-the-clock power
Solar panels generate power when the sun shines. But at night, or on a cloudy day, their output reduces or stops. A battery allows you to store any electricity you don't use, so you can tap into it at night or when it's cloudy. Thus, you can ensure all the power produced from your panels is used and never wasted.
2. Increased energy security
Storing surplus solar power makes you less reliant on the grid, which is particularly valuable in regions that suffer regular brownouts or blackouts. Instead of being in the dark, you can simply draw energy from your battery to keep the lights on or the fridge powered during brownouts or blackouts.
