How a Solar Battery Backup System Provides Power When the Grid Can’t
We’ve all been in a situation where we lost power, whether it be due to storms, overexertion, or blown generators. Thankfully, with a solar battery backup system, you don’t have to rely on the grid to supply your home with electricity, saving you from spending time in dark, hot houses during a blackout.
Most homeowners and businesses install solar panels in an effort to reduce energy costs and commit themselves to their environments by using clean, renewable energy sources, but did you know that with a solar battery backup system you can also declare energy independence?
How Does a Solar Battery Backup System Work?
Before you can fully understand the advantages of having a solar system with your own battery backup, you should first know how they work.
Solar batteries store extra energy that your solar panels absorb and save it for later. This comes in handy when your home is capable of producing more electricity than it needs to power itself on a regular basis, sometimes literally “saving it for a rainy day.”
Having a backup battery means that you can operate even when it’s cloudy, it’s nighttime, or the grid has been shut down for whatever reason. You’ll never have to go without power or rely on any other energy source to provide it for you, which is why many solar customers opt for this type of system.
Grid-Tied Solar During a Heat Wave
As a record-breaking heat wave currently ravages the western United States, California utility companies have issued the first rolling blackout since 2001, rendering thousands of customers without electricity for periods of time in an effort to relieve the grid.
In times of extreme duress on the grid due to everyone’s a/c units working overtime, utility companies will purposefully shut parts of it down to alleviate some of the pressure. This is done in an effort to prevent the grid from fully blacking out on its own due to too many people pushing their system’s limits; it’s a way to exercise some control over a blackout by staying ahead of it.
Unfortunately, enduring these extreme temperatures once your power is cut off is no easy feat — Santa Cruz, which normally has a pretty moderate climate, clocked in at 107 degrees fahrenheit, while Death Valley, known for its heat, was recorded at 130, one of the highest temperatures ever recorded.
With a solar battery backup system, you don’t have to lose your power just because the grid shuts off, which is one of the benefits of producing your own electricity. In this kind of heat, it’s dangerous for elderly people, children, those who are unable to regulate their own body temperatures, and those who are overweight to go without some kind of cooling method. Losing access to your air conditioning could be life-threatening for some; solar-powered homes could save lives.
What About Other Blackouts?
A battery backup doesn’t just come in handy during rolling blackouts, they’re also useful during blackouts caused by storms, strong winds, and other kinds of damage to transmission lines. How often have you experienced a power outage and lost whatever you were working on on your computer? All the groceries you just bought when bad because your refrigerator stopped working? You had a piece of electronic equipment malfunction? All of these things are common occurrences when electricity suddenly cuts off.
The Carolinas are no stranger to storms — the official hurricane season rangers from June to November, with the peak being August through October. Having a solar battery backup system is especially handy this time of year when storms are so frequent and their effects, including blackouts, are being felt so often.
Other Benefits of a Battery Backup System:
If you’re not fully convinced, here’s a few more reasons a solar battery backup system can benefit you and your home:
- Energy storage = energy security
With your own energy storage comes energy security. No matter what’s happening with the grid, you can rest assured that your home will continue to power itself. The food in your fridge will never go bad again!
- No noise
Unlike backup generators that can be loud and distracting, backup batteries are a silent option. You won’t even know it’s there. For those with neighbors close by, sleeping toddlers, or those just looking for some peace and quiet, these are the way to go!
- Reduced utility bills
Who doesn’t want to save money? Producing your own electricity will cut back on costs and fees associated with utility companies. For example, in North Carolina, solar customers save an average of $999.03 per year, or over $80 per month! Think of all of the other things you could spend that money on instead of having to shell it out to an electric company over and over.
- If tied to your solar system, a battery backup is eligible for a tax credit As of 2022, the Federal ITC offers a 26% tax credit on solar systems, giving you an opportunity to save even more money! This credit applies to all of Renu’s materials and installation costs — including battery storage systems like the Generac PWRcell and Tesla Powerwall.
How Renu Energy Solutions Can Help
Going solar is a great decision for most homeowners and businesses, and including a solar battery backup system is a smart addition for the project. Renu Energy Solutions specializes in solar and battery backup installations — we’ve completed over 4,100 since our founding in 2010.
If you’re a customer considering residential solar in North Carolina or South Carolina, look no further! Our experts at Renu can help you through each step of the process, from inquiring about which system would be best for your home, actually installing the system and panels, and any maintenance and troubleshooting long after the installation.
For more information, give us a call or book a free solar consultation to get started! We look forward to hearing from you and doing our part to help you convert to clean, renewable energy.