Solar Battery Storage: Is It Worth It?

It’s no secret that over the last several years, solar energy has risen significantly in popularity and has become more commonplace as a renewable source of power for homes and businesses. People who are switching to solar – whether they’re still connected to a conventional power grid, or they’re basing their entire system off-grid – are seeing some pretty impressive benefits, and it’s largely in part due to the batteries that store the energy generated by the solar panels themselves. 

What is Battery Storage?

So what are lithium solar batteries, and how is storing energy beneficial? While solar panels can be used without battery storage, any energy not used is rerouted back into the grid – or lost completely if you’re not connected to one. As you can imagine, that’s not very efficient or cost-effective. Certain utility companies take part in a program called net metering and credit you for the excess energy fed back into the grid, but other companies may not participate in the program, or may even charge you a fee for the service. This is where lithium solar battery storage comes into play. By converting the electricity generated from sunlight by the solar panels into potential energy and storing it in energy cells, solar batteries convert that energy back into electricity when in use, allowing for a continuous power supply to use whenever it’s needed. If you live in an area where emergency power outages, rolling blackouts, or general grid instability might be a concern, you can have security and peace of mind in self-sufficient energy independence. 

The Big Benefits of Storing Your Energy 

But lithium battery storage doesn’t just come in handy in times of absolute necessity, either. One huge factor that weighs in is the money you can save on your electric bills. Your everyday energy usage can be supplemented by your solar batteries, but you can also avoid steep charges by your utility company during peak hours on those blistering summers or frigid winters when heating and air conditioning are unavoidable by instead switching to the stored energy in your solar batteries to power your home or business. Switch back to the grid once peak hours have passed, and it’s as easy as that! There are also potential opportunities to make money back, such as rebates and tax credits. The federal tax credit is 30% through 2025 for complete solar installations, and even if you’re adding storage to a previously existing system, you may still qualify. Some states and regions even have programs available to apply to with added benefits. For example, the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is a California-based incentive program through the California Public Utilities Commission that offers a rebate for qualifying applicants. There is a wealth of incentives available to those looking to switch to lithium batteries for solar!

“Go Green” With Lithium Solar Batteries 

In addition to the assurance that comes with energy independence and the relief of saving your hard-earned money, solar batteries are also environmentally friendly, utilizing zero fossil fuels and keeping your carbon footprint from growing, all while promoting a healthier and more sustainable planet. Behind hydropower and wind, the sun is the world’s third largest source of renewable energy, and taking advantage of the power generated from it is paramount to the reversal and avoidance of climate change. With much less pollution and harmful emissions created by solar batteries as opposed to a generator, you don’t have to worry about what’s being put into the environment. 

So What’s the Catch? 

Now that you’ve read up on solar batteries, maybe you’ve learned a thing or two, and have taken into account all of the many upsides of energy storage. So what are the downsides? One common apprehension potential customers have is the price point, and it’s true that lithium solar batteries can be on the more expensive side. However, when considering the advantages added to their long lifespan and very low maintenance needs, these batteries pay for themselves over time. A generator might be warrantied for three to five years, whereas a lithium solar battery can be warrantied up to ten years, with no need for fuel and little upkeep requirements throughout that time (not to mention they’re a whole lot quieter, as well!) 

In the end, you’re getting more for your money by investing long-term in a solar battery and any of their drawbacks are far outweighed by the benefits. As technology continues to develop, the demand for solar batteries will only increase as public understanding of them grows and accessibility widens, and their benefits will only broaden as well. So, if you’re in the market for a way to lower your electric bills, to secure peace of mind as you gain energy independence, to keep your carbon footprint from increasing, and want to do it all with minimum hassle, solar batteries are definitely the way to go and we’ve got you covered at Big Battery. As an industry leader in solar batteries, we know what you need to make the most of your solar panels to keep your home or business powered reliably and efficiently. Contact us today to find out more and make the change today!