How Do Solar Batteries Work?
11/21/2022If your business is thinking about going solar, you need to be considering energy storage too. You're making an investment with a new system—why not collect and store the power you generate and increase the value of your solar energy system?
That''s where solar batteries are useful. They provide enhanced power control and increased energy savings. However, to those unfamiliar with solar power, they can seem confusing, and you probably have a few questions, like:
What is a solar battery?
How do solar batteries store energy?
How do solar batteries work with my power system?
What are the benefits of solar battery storage?
Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about how solar energy is stored and how it is released to add value.
What Is a Solar Battery?
Simply put, a solar battery is a device added to your power system that stores excess electricity generated by your solar panels.
Once collected, you can use these energy reserves to power your building when your solar panels don't generate enough electricity during nights, cloudy days, or power outages.
The aim of a solar battery is to help you use more solar energy you that you generate and use it when the grid''s energy is most expensive.. If you don't have battery storage, any excess electricity from solar power goes straight to the grid, which means you're generating power that is credited for a lower value than what evening energy cost you..
How Do Solar Panels Store Energy?
Currently, lithium-ion batteries are the most popular form of solar battery on the market. Lithium-ion batteries work through a chemical reaction—lithium ions release free electrons, and those electrons flow from the negatively charged anode to the positively-charged cathode.
In layman's terms, these batteries store chemical energy before converting it to electrical energy.
The flow of electrons creates the current necessary to power your building. At the same time, electrons move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode via the outer circuit, powering your plugged-in device.
Commercial solar power storage batteries combine multiple battery cells with electronics that regulate the performance and safety of your whole solar battery system. This enables your batteries to function as a rechargeable power source, drawing energy from the sun.
How Do Solar Batteries Work With My Power System?
Still unsure how solar batteries work? Don't worry, here's a step-by-step breakdown how the system powers your building:
Sunlight hits the solar panels, and the energy is converted to DC electricity.
The electricity enters the battery and is stored as DC electricity.
The DC electricity then leaves the battery and enters an inverter to be converted into AC electricity the building can use.
However, it's important to note the process of how solar batteries work is slightly different for AC-coupled systems:
Your solar panels absorb sunlight, converting the energy to DC electricity.
The electricity enters your inverter, converting into AC electricity your building can use.
Excess electricity then flows through another inverter to change back into DC electricity to be stored for later.
If your building needs to use the energy stored in the battery, that electricity must flow through the inverter again to become AC electricity.
What are the Benefits of Solar Battery Storage?
Investing in battery backup for your solar panels is an excellent way to ensure you get the most out of your solar power system. Here are some of the main benefits of a solar battery storage system for your business:
Stores Excess Electricity Generation
Let's face it, your solar panel system produces more power than you need, especially during Califonia's sunny months. If you don't have solar energy battery storage, the extra energy gets sent to the grid. While you can earn credit for that extra generation, it's rarely a 1:1 split, meaning you're losing money in the long run.
Luckily, with battery storage, the extra electricity generated charges up your battery for future use. Instead of sending valuable electricity to the grid, you can use the stored energy during times when electricity costs the most, which reduces your total energy spent.
Stay Ahead of Power Outages
California is notorious for our power outages. From wildfires to the PG&E fiasco of 2019, more than half a million people were left without consistent energy. Experts estimate it could be at least another decade until the grid's infrastructure can adequately handle California's electricity needs.
However, since batteries store excess energy created by your solar panels, your business will have electricity available during power outages and other times when the grid goes down if additional equipment is added with the battery..
Provide Power After the Sun Goes Down
A common question business owners ask when evaluating renewable energy is "how long does a solar battery last at night?"
When the sun goes down and your solar panels aren't generating electricity, batteries pick up the slack to provide much-needed power. Most solar batters have at least 2 to 4 hours of energy in reserves if running at full output, however with reduced consumption the battery can last longer, which gives you more energy independence and helps you keep your electric bill low.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
For businesses focused on long-term sustainability, solar panel battery storage makes it easy to go green. If you don't have a place to store your excess energy, you need to rely on the grid when your solar panels fall short. Unfortunately, most grid electricity is produced using fossil fuels, so you have to run on dirty energy when drawing from the grid. Solar batteries serve as an eco-friendly way to power your entire facility.
A Quiet Solution to Your Backup Power Needs
Solar-powered batteries are a noiseless storage option. You get to benefit from maintenance-free, clean energy and don''t have to deal with the distracting noises that come with gas-powered backup generators.
Pacifico Power: California''s Top Choice for Solar Batteries and Renewable Energy Solutions
Is your business considering renewable energy? Good news—you're in the right spot.
At Pacifico Power, we take pride in offering holistic solutions that improve your energy efficiency. Whether you need new panels or want to upgrade your battery storage, you can rest assured that Pacifico has you covered.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free assessment with our experts and discover the Pacifico difference.