Reap the Benefits of Energy Independence
The idea of gaining energy independence with solar and battery storage is both exciting and empowering. But what does it really mean and what does it take to get there?
Energy independence means that you produce and store your own electricity to minimize your reliance on grid electricity from a utility. With advancing technology, you can now, more easily and cost-effectively than ever, rely on a combination of solar panels and a battery backup to satisfy your energy requirements.
The advantages of energy independence are plentiful. Here are just a few of the top benefits:
• You can avoid utility rate increases since you are in control of how you source the power you need
• You’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly where your power is coming from
• You’ll be consuming 100% renewable energy rather than power sourced from utility companies that depend on fossil fuels
• You’ll have your own backup power during power outages
• You’ll be reducing stress on the local grid, creating a more resilient energy system for your community
• You’ll be decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, and reducing the negative climate impacts
Creating Energy Independence in Your Home
Creating an energy independent home is easier than you may think. You can do it today through our marketplace. There are two steps you can take to make it happen:
Step 1: Electrify your home. Switch out appliances that run on gas for those that run on electricity (unless you plan on supplying your own natural gas). Incentives for home electrification for major appliances start January 1, 2023. Since electricity is cheaper than gas, you’ll easily pay back your upfront investment through lower operating costs.
Step 2: Install a solar system with battery storage. Solar panels provide cleaner energy for your home, and batteries store it to use when the sun isn’t shining. If you live in a northern climate with snowy or cloudy winters, you may need to find an additional power source for the winter. Alternatively, you may be okay achieving “net zero” energy independence by overproducing during the summer and consuming grid electricity in the winter.
Do I Need Battery Backup for Energy Independence?
You may be wondering why you need a battery backup to have power during a blackout. Why couldn’t you just continue accessing energy as it’s generated from your solar system?
The answer is two-fold. First, connecting your solar system directly to your electrical system could result in power surges that could damage your electronics and appliances and cause your lights to flicker. Solar systems produce an unpredictable amount of power during the day as the sunlight changes, and that quantity of power is independent from how much power you’re using in that moment. The grid regulates your power intake by acting as a massive storage system that your solar power feeds into and allows you to draw from.
Second, when the grid is down, solar systems also shut down in order to protect repair crews working during a blackout. Power from residential solar systems leaking onto the grid lines could potentially be hazardous for those crews, which is why utilities mandate that solar systems get shut down.
Why do I need a battery backup and storage system to be energy independent?
You may be wondering why you need a battery backup to have power during a blackout. Why couldn’t you just continue accessing energy as it’s generated from your solar system?
The answer is two-fold. First, connecting your solar system directly to your electrical system could result in power surges that could damage your electronics and appliances and cause your lights to flicker. Solar systems produce an unpredictable amount of power during the day as the sunlight changes, and that quantity of power is independent of how much power you’re using in that moment. The grid regulates your power intake by acting as a massive storage system that your solar power feeds into and allows you to draw from.
Second, when the grid is down, solar systems also shut down in order to protect repair crews working during a blackout. Power from residential solar systems leaking onto the grid lines could potentially be hazardous for those crews, which is why utilities mandate that solar systems get shut down.
Do I Need Battery Storage for My Solar System??
Are you looking to gain energy independence and maximize the return on your solar investment? If so, then battery storage is key. Explore your options and why battery storage is essential to an energy independent home.
What Are My Options Without Battery Storage?
If you don’t have a solar battery, you can still benefit from the energy your system generates by using net metering. That excess photovoltaic energy can either be exchanged for net metering credits, or stored in a solar battery, or a combination of both.
Net Metering & Time of Use Credits
Depending on the utility company, net metering credits can be issued at a rate commensurate with the rate at the time of day you’re selling energy back to the grid, which is called Time of Use (TOU) net metering.
Grid Arbitrage with a Solar Battery
Energy is typically cheaper to buy from utility companies during the day and more expensive during peak usage hours in the evening. With a solar battery, you can charge it with the solar energy at low cost and use the stored energy during peak hours for a higher price than you paid to use the grid’s energy during the day.
The Advantages of Solar Battery Backup Storage
A solar battery gives you more freedom in choosing how to store, sell, and use the energy your system has created rather than relying solely on the grid. Battery storage is key to achieving energy independence and maximizing the return on your solar investment.
Conclusion
Without a solar battery, you can still benefit from the solar energy that your system generates. However, if you are looking to become more energy independent and maximize the return on your solar investment, a solar battery is essential.
How Can Bayside Generators Make You Energy Independent?
Get a whole house backup generator. This will be your old reliability and the most dependable.
Get Solar Panels That Suit Your Region. Southeast Region should get Hurricane Proof panels.
Get a Battery Backup and Storage System With an Inverter like Generac PWRCell.
Bayside Generators’ Technician Willl Connect the Solar to the inverter and Battery Backup.
