What is a Solar Plus Storage System?
Harnessing energy from the sun via solar panels is an excellent way to keep power flowing when you need it, but solar alone leaves you in the dark when the sun goes down. This is why when it comes to solar, storage is necessary to ensure that you can make the most of the energy that is being produced. A solar plus storage system involves the use of a battery system that is charged via solar power so that this energy is contained in a usable format, ready to provide power to the tools and equipment that require it.
Is a Solar Plus Storage System Right for Your Site?
Solar energy has been growing in popularity for several years now due to its relatively simple integration and high ROI. In fact, the average ROI for a photovoltaic system in the first year is about 20 percent. If your site is unable to be connected to the power grid, this is a no-brainer, but even if you have grid connection as an option, a solar plus storage system offers big savings in the long run as you’ll never see an electrical bill.
Solar battery storage is an important component of your system, as solar storage offers you the ability to run tools, equipment, lighting, and more at any time, regardless of whether your solar is producing energy at that exact time or not. Using lithium batteries is also important because it enables you to drain and recharge your batteries repeatedly and get the most power without damage or replacement concerns — lead acid batteries, on the other hand, don’t allow for such heavy use, and will offer you far less convenience.
Factors That Determine if Your Site is a Good Candidate for Solar Battery Storage
- Your state. Many states offer incentives that could be highly beneficial to the overall cost of installing your solar storage system.
- Leased property vs. owned. If you own, you’ll be able to reap the benefits indefinitely, whereas if you lease, you’ll want to factor in the duration that you’ll be able to benefit.
- Property specifics. You’ll want to ensure that you have the appropriate amount of open space or roof space to be able to accommodate your panels and solar storage.
- Current electricity cost. If you have high rates, solar is the way to go, but if you pay very little for your energy, you’ll want to weigh the cost of installing a system against this.
- Current electricity usage. Demanding sites that need a lot of power can benefit significantly from a solar plus storage system, whereas low usage sites may not.
- Your energy goals. If you wish to pursue a more sustainable, environmentally friendly solution that can help to reduce your carbon footprint — as well as lower your energy cost — solar is likely the right choice for you.
Benefits of Using Solar Storage and Solar Battery Storage for Your Site
- Advanced control. This means more control over how much you use and produce, as well as what you can do with excess energy that is generated by your system.
- Zero dependence. There’s no need to be connected to the grid if you manage your own solar battery storage, so power outages have zero impact on your site.
- Increased sustainability. Heavy energy usage can be damaging to the environment, but creating your own solar energy helps to cut down on harmful carbon emissions.
- Return on investment. With no electrical bill, your system will pay for itself and then keep working for you without the high, ongoing costs associated with grid power.
