Solar batteries take your solar panel system to the next level. By storing the surplus energy your system generates, they let you use solar to power your appliances in the evening, at night, and when it’s cloudy out. Even better? If you don’t need to use the energy yourself, you can sell it back to the grid for a tidy profit. They don’t just save you money – they make it, too!
If you’ve recently upgraded to a solar battery or are thinking about investing in one, you might be curious about how they actually work. Well, that’s exactly what we’re here to shed light on today.
Solar Service Solutions are the South’s go-to choice when it comes to solar technology, having installed systems in countless homes and businesses over the years. Below, we’ll break down what solar storage batteries are and how exactly they work!
What is a solar storage battery?
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of how they work, let’s take a step back and explain what a solar battery actually is.
Put simply, a solar storage battery is a device that collects the surplus electricity that solar panels produce and holds it in reserve for later use. It’s needed because solar panels can only turn sunlight into electricity during the daytime, not at night. A battery will hold onto the extra solar energy when it’s available and have it ready for times when the sun takes a break or when electricity demand surges beyond what the solar panels can provide.
Having a battery built into your system lets you make the most out of your solar panels, saving you money on your energy bills, easing your reliance on grid power, and shrinking your carbon footprint even further.
How do solar storage batteries work?
Solar batteries are sophisticated pieces of technology, and the specifics of how each type works depend on its model, system design, and manufacturer specifications. However, they typically follow a similar process:
1. Solar panels generate electricity
Solar panels generate electricity by harnessing the sun’s energy. They absorb sunlight through the photovoltaic effect, triggering the release of electrons from the semiconductor material within them. This electron movement creates direct current (DC) electricity.
To manage the flow of electricity intelligently, some systems incorporate a charge controller. This device ensures that electricity moves smoothly from the solar panels to the battery, avoiding overcharging while optimising the charging process.
If your appliances require alternating current (AC), an inverter is used to convert the DC electricity produced by the solar panels or stored in the battery into AC electricity. This newly transformed energy can then be used to power your household appliances.
2. Electricity is sent to the battery
The generated DC electricity finds its way to the battery, initiating chemical reactions among the positive and negative electrodes and the electrolyte. This interaction stores energy in the form of charged ions. Solar systems commonly use battery types such as lithium-ion, lead-acid, and flow batteries.
The electricity produced is stored as DC before reaching the inverter, or as AC after the inverter.
3. The battery uses the power to charge
During daylight hours when the solar panels produce more electricity than your home consumes, the battery charges itself using the surplus energy. The rest is stored for later use.
4. The battery uses the electricity to power your appliances
When your electricity needs surpass the output of the solar panels, the battery releases its stored energy. This discharged energy provides power to your home, providing you with a continuous and reliable supply.
Upgrade your solar system with Solar Service Solutions
Now that you’ve got a better grasp of how solar batteries work, you might be thinking about investing in one yourself – and that’s where we come in.
At Solar Service Solutions, we’re passionate about making your experience with solar technology the best it can be. Our accredited team will work with you to design a system that perfectly aligns with your solar energy needs, whether you’re thinking about upgrading your current setup or starting fresh with a new installation.
Our focus is on creating and installing a system that optimises energy production while minimising cost. The end result will be a sleek, streamlined system that saves you money, shrinks your eco impact, and helps you achieve total energy independence.
Get a free quote online or give us a call on 0330 124 2941. We’re excited to help you get the most out of your solar system, both now and in the years ahead!
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To find out how much we can help you save on your energy bills with a bespoke solar solution, contact our expert team!