Everyone’s talking about solar battery storage at the moment. But what exactly is it and, more importantly, why should you install it in your home immediately?
Solar battery storage is the extra layer of technology that will take your solar energy system to the next level. While your home solar system is able to function just fine on its own, you’re not really getting the best from it without an integrated solar battery system.
How does solar battery storage work?
When your solar panels produce excess DC (direct current) energy that can’t be immediately used, there are two options. It can either be sent to the main electricity grid in return for a small credit, but this means you’ll need to buy it back at a dramatically increased rate when you need extra power. Or you can install a solar battery system that will convert the power to AC (alternating current) and store it ready for whenever you want to use it, usually at night. Some systems like the sonnenBatterie have an inbuilt converter that makes this process even more seamless. With a solar battery storage system, energy from your solar panels is only ever sent to the grid when your battery is fully charged and the only time you have to pay for energy from the grid is when your battery energy has been fully run down – which means your days of dreading energy bills are over!
Of course it all depends on size, but solar batteries can start from as little as $6000 depending on the requirements of your house. The most common solar battery solutions generally cost anywhere between $12,000-$14,000 for the average mid-high consumption household.
There really are so many benefits to solar battery storage, but one of the biggest is certainly reducing your family’s negative impact on the environment. By going solar, you’ll be doing your bit to help Australia reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and create a brighter future for the generations still to come. But there are plenty of short-term benefits as well.
You’ll have more money in your pocket each quarter, thanks to a drastically reduced reliance on mains electricity, and the pleasure of knowing you are self-sufficient and protected against regional blackouts (though still connected to the grid, should you ever need some back up). Your solar battery storage system is also a clever investment and will add value to your property.
These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes a general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on Energy Locals Time of Use Tariff – (TOU – Peak, Off-Peak & Solar Sponge).
The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
