The Role of Batteries in a Solar-Powered Home

A few additional components tend to make a huge difference when it comes to a solar panel setup for your home or building, and perhaps the single top entry on any such list is the solar battery. Batteries play several vital roles in the operations of a solar-powered home or business, and knowing how they work and how to think about them is vital if you're considering a solar panel installation.

At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we're here to offer not only a huge range of solar panel installation services for clients around Salt Lake City, Boise and other parts of Utah and Idaho, but also to provide battery backup services of varying kinds. Here are some of the basics on how solar batteries work, their vital roles in any solar setup, and what else to know about them for your system.

How Solar Batteries Work

For those just learning about them, solar batteries function as one of the primary energy storage components in a solar panel setup. When your solar panels produce excess electricity during the day, this electricity is fed into the battery where it is stored for later use.

This means that even when there is no sunlight or your panels are not producing enough energy, you can still have power available thanks to the stored energy in your battery. Solar batteries typically come with a meter that shows the amount of energy stored and how much is being used at any given time.

Vital Roles of Solar Batteries

As mentioned, solar batteries are essential components of a solar panel setup for several reasons:

• Energy storage: As discussed, solar batteries store excess energy produced by your panels during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight. This allows for a consistent and reliable power supply.
• Backup power: In the event of a power outage, solar batteries can provide backup electricity to keep essential systems running. This is especially important for businesses that need to maintain operations even during a blackout.
• Cost savings: By storing excess energy, solar batteries can reduce your reliance on the grid and significantly lower your electricity bills.
• Sustainability: Solar batteries help to increase the sustainability of a solar setup by providing energy storage and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Solar Batteries and Energy Independence

One major benefit of solar batteries that often goes overlooked is the potential for energy independence. With a fully functioning solar panel setup and battery system, homeowners or businesses can become self-sufficient in terms of their electricity needs. This means not having to rely on utility companies or worry about rising energy costs.

For instance, if you live in a remote area without access to the grid, solar batteries can provide a reliable and renewable source of electricity. Or, if you simply want to reduce your carbon footprint and be less dependent on non-renewable energy sources, solar batteries can help achieve this goal.

What To Consider in a Solar Battery

There are several factors to consider when choosing a solar battery for your setup:

• Capacity: This refers to the amount of energy that a battery can store. The larger the capacity, the more energy it can store and potentially provide during an outage.
• Depth of Discharge (DOD): This is the percentage of energy that can be used from a fully charged battery before it needs to be recharged. A higher DOD means a larger portion of the stored energy can be used.
• Cycle life: This is the number of times a battery can be charged and discharged before it needs to be replaced. Higher cycle life batteries will last longer and provide more value over time.
• Cost: Solar batteries come at varying price points, so it's important to consider your budget and the overall cost-effectiveness of each option.
• Warranty: Look for a warranty on the solar battery to ensure it will be covered for any defects or issues.

Solar batteries are essential components of any solar panel setup, providing energy storage, backup power, cost savings, and sustainability. They also offer the potential for energy independence and can be customized based on capacity, DOD, cycle life, cost, and warranty.

At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we offer a variety of solar battery options and can help you choose the best one for your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve clean, renewable energy for your home or business, whether you're in SLC, Boise, or any nearby area of Utah or Idaho.