A solar power system can offer users clean, renewable power. For years, the standard residential solar power system has featured panels and an inverter connected to the city’s utility grid. In more recent years, however, hybrid systems have grown in popularity, with users connecting solar power storage to their systems in addition to an established grid connection. Is adding a battery something you should consider doing as well? Keep reading to learn a few signs that may indicate it’s the right choice for you.
You Want Greater Energy Independence
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Many people who install solar power are perfectly content to rely on the utility grid every night, as well as during periods of low solar production. Other users, however, are interested in solar because they simply don’t want to rely on grid-supplied energy. If energy independence is your end goal, that’s simply not achievable with solar power alone; you also need energy storage so that you have a secondary source of power when solar is not available. This makes a solar battery bank a must-have for your system.
Your Grid Is Unreliable
Some areas are more prone to grid outages than others, and in some cases, you may even be subject to preplanned, rolling blackouts. When these occur, even solar power systems must be shut down, regardless of whether or not the outage occurs during the daytime. If you have a very reliable utility grid that rarely experiences outages, having a source of backup power may not be a major concern for you. However, if these occurrences are fairly regular for your area, you may want to consider adding a battery bank. Having this backup power source will allow you to operate your solar power system independently from the grid when it goes down, so you can keep the lights on no matter when the outage occurs.
You Have Unfavorable Net Metering
Net metering is a commonly used system that allows solar users to “sell” their excess power back to the city’s grid. This can be extremely beneficial, as it allows you to cash in on the sunny hours of the day for a credit on your utility bill. However, some cities offer better terms than others. In many areas, your utility company will pay a reduced rate for the watts you sell to the grid. Then, when you need energy after the sun goes down, they’ll sell it back to you at a higher price. In other places, however, the city offers a watt-for-watt ratio, providing solar users with more favorable net metering options. If your city cuts into your solar benefits by buying your excess power at a lower rate, a battery may be worth the investment, and you should consider looking into Pylontech Pelio energy storage.