How to Become Energy Independent: Solar Batteries

Combining renewable technology such as Solar Panels and Solar Batteries is a highly efficient way to save energy, and money.

Installing solar panels is one of the most common ways for homeowners to lessen their dependence on the grid. Guaranteed to last at least twenty-five years, they can carry on producing energy (at a slightly decreased output) after this period. 

Most solar systems produce more energy than the average house uses. Yet, the energy produced tends to be when homeowners are out during the day.

This means that excess energy generated from your home is fed back into the grid. There are some benefits to this. If you are signed up to government incentives, such as The Smart Export Guarantee, you will be paid for each Watt that is supplied from your system back into the grid. On average, a homeowner can earn up to £112 per year from this scheme.

While capitalising on producing your own clean energy sounds great, it’s not utilising your system to its full potential. When your solar panels aren’t creating electricity (at night, during storms etc), you’re still reliant on the grid to supply your power (and I can assume you’ve acquired solar panels to be less-reliant on the grid).

So, what’s the answer? 

The ability to store excess energy produced by your solar system would take you a step toward true energy independence. Solar batteries can store the electricity generated during the day and redistribute it for use during the evenings when electricity tariffs are highest.

Solar batteries work by converting unused DC electricity produced by the solar panels, into AC power which is then stored. Your system will then draw this stored power, creating an island of energy during the evenings, allowing you to be more independent from the National Grid. 

To put this in terms of cash savings, a solar and battery system would save the average household £928 a year!

Whilst electricity generation will always differ depending on the seasons, (Winter, being the obvious season), for a good portion of the year, you can rely solely on solar power to keep your house powered throughout the day, and a battery to supply the rest for your evenings, providing you have the right system in place. Ask us about what system we think would be best for your home here.

The added benefit is that whilst others may be at the mercy of fluctuating energy prices, yours will remain lower and more consistent, helping you to take a step towards living a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle.

For more articles about our other products that can help you to save and live more sustainably, click here.