What are 3 drawbacks to storing solar energy in batteries?

Storing solar-generated energy with solar battery storage grants more energy independence, but it may not be for everyone.

Solar battery storage adds more moving parts, costs, and complexities homeowners must manage with their home solar power system.

You still will have to deal with the provider and have less autonomy, but net metering is a good option for many homeowners.

Before we write off a solar battery backup storage system, let's examine the pros and cons and how to make an informed choice.

Solar Battery Storage Pros and Cons

Let's get any drawbacks out of the way first. We always like ending on a positive note.

Cons of Solar Battery System

• The home battery is the best add-on to your home solar installation, but it may have high initial costs
• Whole home solar energy backups need dedicated space for solar battery installation
• More complexity in estimates to get the backup load right for your needs
• More parts that need yearly inspection and/or maintenance

Pros of Solar Battery Storage

• More incentives to recoup the costs of the system
• 24/7 backup energy ready for a blackout emergency and nighttime needs that seamlessly keeps your house and its essential appliances running
• Great energy independence from utility rate changes, i.e., no more bills during TOU Peak hours.
• It can operate in tandem with a grid-tie system for greater efficiency and energy assurance
• Very low maintenance and use the sun power to charge the system
• Excellent customer service support with any troubleshooting, if needed
• Weather-resistant and family-friendly, safe to be around kids and animals anywhere in or outside your home
• A customized system with app monitoring in real-time for maximum savings and personalization
• Noiseless backup energy, unlike generators

Increasing power outages and utility rate hikes have become the norm for Californian residents.

Residential solar power systems are even the playing field, but adding storage completely tips the balance to the energy users' side.

Does Home Solar Battery Make Sense For You in 2023?

Solar power storage can be an excellent investment for many homeowners. If you're seeking to reduce your energy bills, and want to have greater control over your energy usage, a solar battery backup system is worth considering.

Even if power outages are infrequent in your area, the opportunity to store and use solar power during peak times can lead to significant savings. This makes it a worthwhile investment for those seeking greater energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Especially for customers with electric vehicles, a whole home battery system with solar power installed, will have significant energy independence.

Benefits of Home Solar Battery System Installation:

• In case of natural disasters, emergency power can be used during a power outage
• Avoid frequent outages due to an unreliable power grid
• Power all critical/medical equipment or appliances that must stay on no matter what
• Significantly reduce electricity costs and fees from your energy providers
• Want to reduce seasonal and/or daily peak costs in your electric bill
• Keep your valuable and essential appliances when an unknown electric short circuit happens in the power grid

Usually, a grid-tie solar system is enough for homeowners, but a home battery backup system can easily achieve massive energy savings and power independence.

Related Articles:

How does Solar Battery work with Home Solar Power?

Home Solar & Battery – Max Out to Cut Your Energy Bill

The Best Solar Battery Backup: Choose The Best In 2023

Solar Battery Options

Selecting the type of battery you want to use is entirely up to you. You may have an installer who chooses a specific type for all customers or offers multiple brands.

Home battery backup technology has improved over the years and is drastically changing today. Therefore, worrying about if you should choose lead-acid, saltwater, or lithium-ion may be a moot point.

Battery companies will have their products' capabilities to power storage capacity, lifespan, etc., listed for you. You don't have to be as savvy and informed as you did 10-15 years ago. You can simply look at the brands' specs.

Tesla, and its Powerwall, is one of the leaders in the battery storage industry. You can't go wrong with a Tesla battery with its user-friendly app and reliable battery design. A Tesla Powerwall generally stores 13.5 kWh and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Can I Add Battery Backup to My Solar Panel System?

If you want to add a battery to your current solar panel system, the answer is yes! As the market and technology advance, batteries become cheaper and more reliable for whole-house power backup. 

Investing in battery backup is an investment that can help you a lot faster the sooner you get it. However, another beauty of solar power technology is you can add to it in the future.

If you already have a system or are considering adding one, you can add your battery storage afterward. It may cause some complexities, but you can plan for those when you are initially installing your system. Most challenges are null and void with a Tesla battery's sleek and compact designs. It is becoming easier to add solar energy storage, which is just another check in the plus column.

Common Solar Battery Storage FAQs:

Q: What are the main pros of adding solar battery storage?

A: The main pros are having 24/7 backup energy in case of blackouts, greater energy independence from utility rates, and using sun power to charge the system. It also provides seamless backup power for your home's essential appliances.

Q: What are the main cons of solar battery storage?

A: The main cons are the high upfront costs, needing dedicated space for installation, more complexity in system design, and more maintenance of parts.

Q: What types of solar batteries are available?

A: Common options are saltwater/flow, lithium-ion batteries, and LPF(lithium iron phosphate). Brands like Tesla offer good charging cycle batteries that are reliable and have a sleek, compact design with UL and CEC approvals.

Q: Can I add a battery to my existing solar panel system?

A: Yes, you can add battery storage later on to an existing solar system. It may require some reconfiguring, but it is definitely possible, especially with compact battery options.

Q: Who can benefit most from solar battery storage?

A: Homeowners who want energy bill savings, backup power in emergencies, energy independence, and/or cost savings during peak rate times can benefit greatly from adding solar battery storage.

Q: How much maintenance is required for solar batteries?

A: Solar batteries require very little maintenance, just occasional inspections or part replacements. The sun charges the system, so minimal effort is needed.

Q: Are solar batteries safe for homes with kids?

A: Yes, solar battery systems are designed to be weather-resistant and safe around families. They don't produce noise or fumes like generators.

For more answers about going solar – Solar FAQ

No matter what you do, having the insights of great professionals, like Option One Solar, is smart to get the right and personalized information you need to make an informed decision. They have experts ready to assist you and get you up and running worry-free.

Home - Solar Battery Storage - Pros and Cons of Solar Battery Storage

With more people installing solar panels, solar battery storage is a hot topic in the world of renewable energy. And, as electricity prices continue to rise, with no end in sight, more people are looking at what solar battery storage could do for them. 

Yet, though a means of saving money while reducing reliance on the grid, there are some factors worth considering before investing in solar batteries.

Here, the Energy Efficiency team at City Plumbing takes a quick look at the advantages and drawbacks of solar battery storage in the UK to help you make an informed decision.

What Is Solar Battery Storage and Why Is It So Important?

Solar battery storage is an energy storage solution that's paired with a renewable energy  system. When used with Solar PV, it allows you to store excess energy that your panels generate during the day. You can then use this energy at any time rather than pulling directly from the grid . There are two types of solar battery storage systems, including hybrid and off-grid. 

Hybrid Solar Battery Storage Systems: Currently the most common choice, a hybrid system is supported by the grid. This means solar panels will generate energy during the day with any surplus sent to the battery for storage. Any extra energy that can’t be stored here will then be sent back to the grid. With a hybrid system, this stored energy can then be used from the batteries, instead of relying entirely on the grid. 

Off-Grid Solar Battery Storage Systems: Though not as common in the UK as hybrid systems, an off-grid system is a self-reliant system providing 100% energy reliance on the batteries. With no support from the grid, this means having a large solar panel system and solar battery solution to power a home’s energy needs.

Pros and Cons of Solar Battery Storage

If you have solar panels installed, then there are many benefits to investing in some form of solar battery storage. Yet, it’s also worth considering the disadvantages of solar battery storage before making any financial decisions.  

The Pros of Solar Battery Storage

• Helping you gain energy independence by maximising the use of your solar panel system, solar battery storage lets you increase the self-consumption from your Solar PV system.

• With solar battery storage, you can revert to this energy in the evening when you lose the sun. This way you can reduce grid reliance while making further financial savings on energy bills. 

• If there’s a power cut, you'll be protected as you have a solar battery backup as a go-to source of energy. This will allow you to continue energy for a few hours while the grid is down. 

• By becoming more reliant on solar battery storage and less reliant on the grid, you’re able to reduce your carbon footprint. 

• Battery Storage allows you to sign up to flexible energy tariffs where you can charge the battery at cheaper rates, more than three times as cheap in some cases. You could have to pay higher rates at peak times but this is where you would use your battery storage. 

• When installing battery storage with Solar PV you can benefit from the same 0% VAT that a renewables install enjoys. This would not be the same for a retrospective install. 

• Installing Battery Storage at a future date may require a second inverter which would require permission from the local authority, this could cost £400 just for the application. AC Coupled inverters are also less efficient and may only have a 90% round trip efficiency rather than the 99% most Hybrid inverters have.

• The Smart Export Guarantee is only worth between 3 and 8p per kW whereas energy prices are reaching above 33p per kW. This means you can be paying 11x more for the .Energy you use from the Grid than you are being paid from your excess solar energy. Therefore, storing the energy makes more sense than sending it back to the grid.

The Cons of Solar Battery Storage

• Solar battery storage prices are initially expensive and vary greatly depending on the battery size and model chosen.  

• There’s no way to accurately estimate the payback time or return on investment as it varies greatly on current and future self consumption on the existing Solar PV system as well as your energy tariff details as that would affect how much you can earn from Grid Trading.

• Solar batteries have a lifespan that ranges from as little as three to a maximum of 12 years. When compared to the lifespan of a solar panel, averaging 25 to 30 years, this is noticeably shorter. Yet, it’s worth noting that both the type and quality of the battery being used here will also factor in this figure.  

• Batteries may degrade over time and therefore have a lower capacity than originally purchased. 

• Reduces the amount you export, so this could affect any export agreements you have.

Is Solar Battery Storage Worth It?

A fantastic way to make good use of the electricity your solar panel system generates, solar battery storage solutions can be a great way to save both energy and money. However, it’s a good idea to be aware of their potential pitfalls before making the switch. Understandably, this method won’t be ideal for everyone. So, a good question worth considering is whether they’re necessary for your current circumstances. 

If you’re looking for further ways to save energy in your home, get in touch with the Energy Efficiency team at City Plumbing. Experts in renewable technology, we’re perfectly placed to advise you on the best solutions of low-carbon technologies to help you create a greener and more energy-efficient home.