Fast read
For homeowners who want to boost their energy independence and reduce their electricity expenses, solar storage batteries are a popular choice. Extra solar power can be captured and used when needed, such as at night or during power outages, thanks to a house battery system. Electric vehicles can also be charged with batteries, lessening their environmental impact and dependence on coal-fired electricity.
Even though batteries may not yield a return on investment as quickly as solar panels alone, they can offer long-term advantages, including backup power, lower electricity bills, and the option to charge an electric car with renewable energy. Moreover, with a ten-year lifespan, batteries are a viable alternative for people who want to personalise their home energy system and increase their energy independence.
Solar storage battery info for beginners
As rooftop solar power systems become more popular, people have questions and confusion about this new renewable technology. It offers many benefits and savings. One of the products that attract a lot of questions is solar storage batteries.
This FAQ gives you an overview of home batteries, which can be helpful in case you are looking into purchasing this product.
Solar batteries and electric vehicles
The next step a homeowner can take to reduce their carbon footprint, after solar and batteries, is purchasing an electric vehicle. If you are looking into a home battery, consider how likely you will purchase an electric vehicle in the next 2 to 5 years.
While the uptake of electric vehicle sales in Australia has been slow under the previous Coalition Governments, global EV sales have more than doubled in the past years.
Sales of traditional cars are decreasing, and some countries plan to stop selling them by 2030.
If EVs continue to rely on coal-fired electricity, their growing numbers could harm the environment. This is because of increased energy consumption. So introducing a bigger EV fleet into society has to go hand in hand with increasing renewable energy in the available grid power.
Additionally, we need to create a sustainable life cycle for EVs, including their battery components.
How do solar batteries work?
A house with solar panels and batteries can charge an electric car at night using the sun’s energy. This means that the solar system collects energy from the sun during the day, which is then stored in the battery. The stored energy can be used to charge an electric vehicle overnight, eliminating the need for grid electricity.
This electric vehicle charging method will minimise the load pressure on the grid and allow for a more environmentally friendly use of EVs. So if you are considering an EV in the near future, a home battery can make sense.
Long term investment
Batteries have an ROI that is not as fast as a solar PV system alone, but they are now coming into the acceptable range.
When we buy a kitchen, pool, or sauna, we typically don’t consider the return on investment (ROI). Instead, we purchase these items to enhance our lives.
This same concept can be applied here. The same idea applies here. So why is it a significant concern regarding batteries? A battery usually earns back its cost over time, with some extra benefits besides just money.
You’ll recoup your investment over a period exceeding 10 years and gain backup power during blackouts as well. You can also impress your neighbours when they use candles and charge your electric vehicle with renewable energy.
Batteries can be an excellent option for those who want to customise their home energy solution to fit their lifestyle, become energy independent, and save money.
With most battery manufacturers offering product warranties of around ten years, the overall returns are locked in for the system’s life.
Therefore if you pick a reputable brand with solid financial backing and a quality-focused local installer, you will get a peace of mind solution.
Energy independence
Many people are concerned about the dependence on the electrical grid and regularly increasing electricity prices. Many Australians don’t trust their energy retailer because of years of rising prices and a lack of action on climate change.
A grid-connected solar system with a battery backup called a hybrid system offers a way out of this dependency.
You can supply your own energy needs but still have a backup from the grid in case of an emergency or if the weather changes and solar production is low.
Invest in solar energy for energy security. Consider incorporating a battery as an additional component or opting for a combined package that includes both systems simultaneously.
Investing in a battery can almost achieve complete energy independence, requiring grid backup for only a few days a year, provided your chosen installer appropriately sizes the solar system and battery.
Blackout protection
Battery backup is an excellent option if you live in an area susceptible to blackouts. In addition, having sufficient energy backup can be an excellent long-term investment to store perishable food and keep the lights on at night. A fridge and freezer of wasted food can easily set you back a few hundred dollars, and a battery setup will protect you from such losses.
Some people also run lifesaving equipment that requires a reliable electricity supply, and again in such cases, a blackout is a no-no.
If you have the right battery and solar power system, you can be independent from the main power grid. Additionally, having a backup generator can provide further support.
Virtual Power Plants (VPP)
VPPs are a system that connects solar power and battery storage. This system allows neighbours and network users to share extra energy. They can also sell this energy to the grid at a good price.
A central VPP operator uses a software program to coordinate peaks and troughs in demand and judges when to sell energy at the highest price in the energy price auction system.
The biggest advantage of joining a VPP is most offer discounts on the cost of buying and installing your solar battery. A VPP usually gives you more money for the solar energy you sell compared to energy retailers.
The VPP operator controls your battery. There may be times when you want to use it. Still, the capacity has already been drained by the VPP operator. They could have made you more money than what you will now pay for electricity from the grid.
