Solar Power Battery Storage - why it's important!
The unusual weather experienced by much of the North Island over the 2022/23 holidays highlights why adequate battery storage is important for solar power systems as a way to store excess energy generated on sunny days for use on days when the weather is not sunny enough to generate power. We recommend that your battery storage should be designed with winter in mind, where the rain and cloudy days are "usually" more common. If you plan towards having three days worth of battery storage, then the reliance on a generator or other power sources greatly reduces.
One major benefit of battery storage is that it allows for the use of solar power even during power outages or grid failures. This means that homeowners still connected to the grid with battery storage systems can still have access to electricity even if the traditional power grid goes down. This is particularly important for remote areas or islands where power grid infrastructure is limited, making them highly dependent on fossil fuels or solar for power generation. In recent years there have been huge leaps forward in battery storage for your home, the Tesla Powerwall is a great example of this. But there are far more cost effective options out there, just a little research is required. We are more commonly hearing of people repurposing Electric Car batteries and using them as part of the solar system, this is a fantastic use of recycling something that has been made redundant and this will become a more viable option as more EV's appear on our roads and in the car wreckers.
Another benefit is that battery storage systems allow for the use of solar power even during periods of low sunlight, such as during the winter months or that awful bout of weather we just had! This is especially important for areas with long, cloudy winters where solar power generation can be limited. If you have more room on your roof, it is also a good idea to consider adding additional solar panels as this will mean even on a low light day you greatly increase your power generation.
Battery storage systems can also help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease overall energy costs. By storing excess solar energy during the day, you can use that energy at night or during periods of low sunlight, reducing the need to purchase electricity from the grid or relying on a backup generator that operates on fuel. Adding a wind turbine to your system is a great way to reduce reliance on a generator as well.
Overall, battery storage systems are an important component of solar power systems, allowing for the use of solar power even when the weather is not sunny enough to generate power. They can provide power during power outages, provide you with adequate electricity during periods of low sunlight and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
