Solar panels will usually generate more than enough power for your needs – you might even produce more than you need. With an energy storage system, you could save this excess energy to use as and when you need it, saving you money, reducing waste, and making you immune to power cuts in the process. If you want to find out more, keep reading!
Tile Energy have come up with a brief guide to solar battery and generator storage systems to help you decide which is the right fit for you and your home.
Solar Batteries Explained
Solar battery storage systems save excess energy for later use. On-grid solar panels will be affected by power cuts, just like any other appliance. However, if you use a solar battery alongside your solar panels, the battery will continue powering your home even if the grid suffers an outage.
A solar battery certainly comes in handy in the case of a power cut, but that’s not the only time it can be used – you might want to switch to your battery at night, whenever your usage is particularly low or high, or if your electricity tariff charges extra during peak usage times. You can also pick and choose whether to use your battery for just essential appliances or for your entire home.
The Pros
- NSaves money long-term
- NRuns on renewable energy, so is environmentally-friendly
- NRequires minimal maintenance
- NReduces wasted energy
- NIncreases energy independence
- NEliminates vulnerability to power cuts
- NMakes properties more desirable to prospective buyers
- NRuns quietly
- NOutput is almost instantaneous
- NGenerates income by releasing unused energy back to the grid
The Cons
- MExpensive to install (but ultimately cost-effective)
- MNot as durable as solar panels, so will need replacing
- MDoesn’t perform well in extremely cold weather
- MBattery itself isn’t entirely eco-friendly, due to chemicals and precious metals
- MSmaller storage capacity than a generator
Generators explained
Perhaps a more familiar backup method is a generator, which uses either solar energy or, more commonly, some kind of fuel to produce electricity. Backup generators can be designed to turn on automatically when a power outage occurs, or they can be turned on manually whenever needed.
The Pros
- NEasy to buy, install, service and repair
- NInstallation is cheap
- NDependable and able to provide reliable power day or night
- NNot affected by weather conditions
- NIncreases energy independence
- NMany generators are portable, so can be moved if necessary
The Cons
- MOperates loudly
- MCan be costly in the long run
- MHigher carbon footprint due to fuel usage
- MCan take a short while to start working at full capacity
- MUsually requires more maintenance
Solar generators
Solar generators are a better choice than fuel ones, in most cases. When paired with high-wattage solar panels, solar-powered generators can fully charge fairly quickly, sometimes in just a couple of days. Also, unlike their fuel-powered counterparts, solar generators are silent and don’t emit carbon dioxide. This makes them better for the environment and increases flexibility as to where you keep your generator (i.e. you aren’t limited to outside).
It can be difficult to know which energy storage system is right for you. Tile Energy is always here to help, whatever your energy needs. Whether you’re after personalised advice or high-quality solar battery storage, contact us today to find out what we can do for you.
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