Highly efficient solar panels can produce more energy than your residential or commercial power requirements. Having surplus energy can result in more efficient energy grids, increased cost savings, and reduced fossil fuel emissions. It is a far better option than dealing with the problem of inadequate power supply.
If you have too much solar power than your requirements, you can store surplus power. Opting for storage solutions will benefit your business or home and your pocketbook. Firstly, energy storage allows having enough reliable energy when production is less, and demand is high.
Secondly, it fills in the gaps by ensuring constant power flow during disruptions in generators, repairing and replacement of solar system, and power outages. Better control over solar power consumption helps reduce the carbon footprint in your area.
Additionally, you can enjoy cost savings from your electric bills by reducing dependence on the grid. Furthermore, adopting a solar net metering policy helps get fair compensation for excess solar power your solar panels produce.
But the question is how would you make the best use of surplus solar power produced?
When it comes to using extra power generated from your solar panels, you can opt for any of the following options.
Feed Excess Power to the Grid
Most residential and commercial solar users are opting for this solar storage solution. It not only helps in storing excess power but allows accessing power from the utility grid whenever required. This process of sending surplus power to the grid and receiving credits from the utility company is called net metering.
The credits you receive at the end of the month will be based on the net kWh (kilowatt-hours) you feed to the grid. The credits can be a lower wholesale rate or complete retail utility rate based on the state you are living in.
During the winter season or power outages, when you don’t have enough power to run all your appliances simultaneously, you can use collected credits. If you draw less power than what you feed, you don’t have to pay anything to the grid. However, when you draw more power than what you export, you have to pay for importing excess electricity.
Load Shifting/Management
Another great storage solution recommended by the well-known rooftop solar installation company is load shifting or load management. It refers to the process of changing the way you use your appliances during daytime to increase the surplus power.
Household users can run power-intensive appliances during the day when solar panels generate excess power. For example, the dishwasher, AC, pool pump, heating system, washing machine, clothes dryer, etc.
To use excess power produced by commercial solar panels, shift power-consuming tasks to a time when energy production is maximum. This helps in taking advantage of surplus power without any energy waste.
Battery Storage
If you live in a region with no net metering policy and you can’t do load shifting, use battery storage. You can store excess solar power in a battery backup system that works for grid-tied and off-grid buildings.
Use a hybrid battery to power gadgets at night if you have grid-connected solar systems. It also helps to balance the electricity you use from the electricity company. However, you will require a backup battery system for off-grid solar systems to keep powering your workplace or home.
Lithium-ion batteries are the best solar power storage for homes. The reason is that they are lighter and can be used for various applications. Lead-acid batteries and saltwater batteries are also go-to options for residential use. Residential solar energy storage provides the same advantages as large-scale energy storage. It includes uninterrupted power, increased cost savings, and energy resilience.
If you’re confused about which of these options you must use, consult experts from the solar industry. They recommend the best storage system or solution based on your on-grid or off-grid home and business.
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