With energy prices rising by over 100% over the past year, more and more people are evaluating whether or not they should pursue a solar panel installation. Solar panels have become increasingly popular as they provide an environmentally friendly way to generate electricity and can save you money on your energy bill.
But they are far from perfect, with the energy you don’t use often going straight back to the grid, or worse, to waste. And that’s where solar battery storage comes in. Here are five reasons you should add solar battery storage to your solar panel installation.
1. Save Money on Your Energy Bill
With solar battery storage, you can save money on your energy bill by using the stored energy during peak times when energy prices are highest. This can help you avoid paying the high rates energy suppliers charge during these times.
As the sun shines during the day, you can start to fill your battery with any excess energy you don’t use throughout daylight hours, and then, as darkness falls, rather than rely on the grid, your home can use this stored energy instead.
2. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Solar batteries help reduce your carbon footprint by allowing you to use renewable energy and reducing your reliance on fossil fuels via electricity supplied by the grid. Currently, depending on prevailing wind conditions, as much as half of all UK electricity is generated from burning natural gas, which releases harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
By installing solar panels in conjunction with a solar battery and inverter (converts the solar panel’s DC current into AC for home consumption), not only do you move closer to renewable-driven self-sufficiency, but you can also have the knowledge that you’re not leaning on fossil fuels as much as your neighbours.
3. Increase the Value of Your Home
Solar battery storage can increase the value of your home as it makes your property more attractive to potential buyers. With dramatically reduced running costs and the potential to become energy self-sufficient, a home with solar battery storage is an attractive investment.
With as many as one-quarter of prospective home buyers “very likely” to buy a home with solar panels, sustainability is a crucial factor in many people’s purchasing decisions.
4. Earn Money By Selling Excess Back to the Grid
While, in most cases, you will want to hang on to the excess energy generated from your solar panels and sent to your battery, sometimes, particularly during the summer months, you may have more energy than you can use.
This excess energy can be sold back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee. This government-backed initiative requires energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers to pay ‘small-scale generators’ for low-carbon electricity. The maximum you can receive currently is 5.5p per kWh (offered by Octopus Energy).
This scheme is perfect if your solar battery ever gets too full or you’re going on holiday and aren’t going to be using any of the energy you generate.
5. Have Peace of Mind Knowing You’re Prepared for a Power Cut
While it’s not likely to be a primary concern unless you live somewhere with an unsecured energy supply, adding solar battery storage to your solar PV installation will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re prepared for a power cut.
If you live in an area prone to power cuts or have critical electrical equipment you need for work or personal reasons (such as medical equipment), you’ll want to have a backup plan in place. A solar battery can keep your lights on and equipment running, even when the grid connection goes down – giving you the peace of mind that you’re prepared for any eventuality.
Contact Applegarth Electrical Today To Discuss Your Solar PV and Battery Requirements
If you’re thinking about switching to solar power, or you already have a solar PV installation and want to add solar battery storage, then get in touch with the experts at Applegarth today.
We have a team of fully qualified and experienced solar technology engineers who can advise you on the best system for your home or business and install it quickly and efficiently. We also offer maintenance services to keep your system running smoothly and help you to get the most out of your investment.
To find out more, or to book a free consultation/site survey, simply give us a call on 0151 649 8350 or fill in our online contact form, and we’ll be back in touch as soon as possible.
