When you’re planning your solar energy system, it’s important to understand the relationship between your system’s batteries and the time of day, especially if you want to maximize your energy independence and cost savings.
Here’s a closer look at batteries and how the time of day can help you maximize energy and savings.
Produce Energy During the Day, Store It at Night
When you install batteries with your solar energy system, your panels can produce energy during the day when the sun is shining and store excess energy to use at night or on cloudy days. Without batteries, your panels would produce energy to power your home and send the excess directly back to the grid so you can take advantage of your utility company’s net metering program.
However, with batteries, you can store the excess energy your system generates during the day for use at night or during times of low sunlight, such as the winter months. This reduces your reliance on the grid for electricity during these times. This includes periods of peak demand, when utility companies raise their rates.
Batteries provide additional peace of mind during power outages. Batteries offer critical backup power after a storm or other emergency. This power can help you run your fridge, lights, medical devices, and other essential equipment at your home.
Choosing the Right Batteries for Your Home
The size and capacity of your batteries determine how much energy your system can store (and for how long). TruNorth Solar can help you find the batteries that are the right size for your household needs in the evening, overnight, and during low sunlight periods. Once installed, these batteries will reduce your reliance on the grid by charging up during periods of sunlight and discharging their stored energy when you need it.
When we select batteries for your solar energy system, we will also consider the product’s efficiency and lifespan. All batteries lose some efficiency over time due to the charge/discharge cycle. Modern lithium-ion batteries, such as those found in the Telsa Powerwall or LG Chem, are highly efficient (90 to 95 percent) and have lifespans of 10+ years. This makes lithium-ion batteries a great choice for most homeowners. However, they have a higher upfront cost compared to lead-acid batteries.
Lead-acid batteries have lower upfront costs than their lithium-ion counterparts. They are a proven technology that have been used in residential solar energy systems for years. However, they are not as efficient as their modern counterparts and have short lifespans of just 5 to 8 years.
During our consultation with you, we’ll discuss your options for solar energy system batteries and share with you how you can maximize your system’s energy production during peak sunlight hours. We look forward to designing your system with you.
Want to work with a reputable, local Minnesota solar installer? Get in touch with the experts at TruNorth Solar today for a free estimate on your home’s solar energy system.
