Solar panels don't need batteries, but you’ll get more out of your investment in home solar if you install one, especially in California.
Solar batteries boost your savings, ensure backup power during outages, and reduce your reliance on the electric grid.
Did you know? Solar batteries qualify for a 30% federal solar tax credit. But Congress is considering legislation that would terminate the tax credit at the end of this year. Search the Clean Energy Connection today to find a battery installer and claim your tax credit savings before it’s too late.
How Solar Without Battery Backup Works
Home solar panels work without a battery, but you’ll have to use grid power at night. Plus, your solar panels will shut off during a power outage.
- Solar Panels Generate Power – During the day, your solar panels generate electricity to power your home.
- Excess Energy Sent to the Grid – Any electricity your home doesn’t immediately use is sent back to the grid. If you participate in net metering, you’re credited for the power you send to the grid.
- Grid Power at Night – When the sun sets, your home switches to grid power. You can use your credit to help cover the cost.
- Dependence on the Grid – Without a battery, you remain dependent on the grid, which leads to higher costs, especially during peak demand hours.
This system works well if your utility offers a good net metering program. However, California’s Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM 3) drastically cuts the rate you’re paid for excess energy sent to the grid. With lower export credits, you’ll save more by storing and using your excess power yourself instead of selling it back to the grid.
How Solar with Battery Backup Works
Solar batteries store the excess electricity your solar panels end up generating during the day. Here’s how a solar plus battery system works:
- Solar Panels Generate Power - During the day, your solar panels generate power.
- Storage - Any electricity your home doesn’t immediately use is stored in the battery. The amount of energy stored depends on the battery's capacity and the amount of surplus energy produced by your solar panels.
- Using Stored Energy - Your battery powers your home at night and when it’s too cloudy for your solar panels to generate electricity.
- Backup Power - Solar batteries also provide backup power during grid outages. Without a battery, your solar panels will automatically shut down during a power outage.
Benefits of Solar Panels with Battery Storage
Solar panels with battery backup have benefits that you don’t get with solar panels alone:
Save More on Your Electric Bills
With solar plus storage, you can power your home with solar energy at night, reducing the amount of electricity you have to buy from the grid.
In California, where most utilities charge time-of-use rates, this can lead to significant savings.
Time-of-use pricing means electricity costs more during peak demand hours, which are typically in the late afternoon and evening when you can’t generate solar power. By using your stored solar energy during these high-cost periods, you can avoid higher rates and increase your electric bill savings.
Keep Your Power on During an Outage
Solar batteries provide backup power during grid outages. They can keep essentials running or power your entire home, depending on how much storage capacity you install.
Without a battery, you won’t be able to use your solar panels during an outage.
Solar panel systems automatically shut down during power outages to protect line workers from unexpected power surges. With a battery, however, your solar panels will disconnect from the grid during a power outage, so you can continue to use them.
Gain Energy Independence and Control
Solar batteries let you use more of the solar energy you produce, so you don’t have to buy as much, or any, electricity from the grid at night. This makes you less reliant on your utility company and more in control of your home’s electricity.
Find a Solar Battery Installer You Can Trust with the Clean Energy Connection
By adding a solar battery to your system, you’ll lower your electric bills and gain the security of backup power when you need it most. Don’t wait for the next outage or rate hike! Find a solar battery installer near you with Clean Energy Connection today. It’s free, easy, and the best way to find a vetted solar company you can trust.