How Solar Batteries Work with a Solar Power System?

This entire process starts with the solar panels on the roof generating power. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what happens with a DC-coupled system:

1. Sunlight hits the solar panels and the energy is converted to DC electricity.
2. The electricity enters the battery and is stored as DC electricity.
3. The DC electricity then leaves the battery and enters an inverter to be converted into AC electricity the home can use.

The process is slightly different with an AC-coupled system.

1. Sunlight hits the solar panels and the energy is converted to DC electricity.
2. The electricity enters the inverter to be converted into AC electricity the home can use.
3. Excess electricity then flows through another inverter to change back into DC electricity that can be stored for later.
4. If the house needs to use the energy stored in the battery, that electricity must flow through the inverter again to become AC electricity.

How Solar Batteries Work with a Hybrid Inverter

If you have a hybrid inverter, a single device can convert DC electricity into AC electricity and can also convert AC electricity into DC electricity. As a result, you don't need two inverters in your photovoltaic (PV) system: one to convert electricity from your solar panels (solar inverter) and another to convert electricity from the solar battery (battery inverter).

Also known as a battery-based inverter or hybrid grid-tied inverter, the hybrid inverter combines a battery inverter and solar inverter into a single piece of equipment. It eliminates the need to have two separate inverters in the same setup by functioning as an inverter for both the electricity from your solar battery and the electricity from your solar panels.

Hybrid inverters are growing in popularity because they work with and without battery storage. You can install a hybrid inverter into your battery-less solar power system during the initial installation, giving you the option of adding solar energy storage down the line.

Benefits of Solar Battery Storage

Adding battery backup for solar panels is a great way of ensuring you get the most out of your solar power system. Here are some of the main benefits of a home solar battery storage system:

Stores Excess Electricity Generation

Your solar panel system can often produce more power than you need, especially on sunny days when no one is at home. If you don't have solar energy battery storage, the extra energy will be sent to the grid. If you participate in a net metering program, you can earn credit for that extra generation, but it’s usually not a 1:1 ratio for the electricity you generate.

With battery storage, the extra electricity charges up your battery for later use, instead of going to the grid. You can use the stored energy during times of lower generation, which reduces your reliance upon the grid for electricity.

Provides Relief from Power Outages

Since your batteries can store the excess energy created by your solar panels, your home will have electricity available during power outages and other times when the grid goes down.

Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

With solar panel battery storage, you can go green by making the most of the clean energy produced by your solar panel system. If that energy isn't stored, you will rely on the grid when your solar panels don’t generate enough for your needs. However, most grid electricity is produced using fossil fuels, so you will likely be running on dirty energy when drawing from the grid.

Provides Electricity Even After the Sun Goes Down

When the sun goes down and solar panels aren't generating electricity, the grid steps in to provide much-needed power if you don’t have any battery storage. With a solar battery, you’ll use more of your own solar electricity at night, giving you more energy independence and helping you keep your electric bill low.

A Quiet Solution to Backup Power Needs

A solar power battery is a 100% noiseless backup power storage option. You get to benefit from maintenance free clean energy, and don’t have to deal with the noise that comes from a gas-powered backup generator.

Key Takeaways

Understanding how a solar battery works is important if you’re thinking about adding solar panel energy storage to your solar power system. Because it operates like a large rechargeable battery for your home, you can take advantage of any excess solar energy your solar panels create, giving you more control over when and how you use solar energy.

Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of solar battery, and work through a chemical reaction that stores energy, and then releases it as electrical energy for use in your home. Whether you choose a DC-coupled, AC-coupled, or hybrid system, you can increase the return on investment of your solar power system without relying on the grid.

Having the right system design is vital to making the most of your solar panels and batteries. At Palmetto, we have the expertise and experience to guide you on your clean energy journey. From solar power installation and service to energy storage and monitoring, our solar professionals are here to help you take advantage of clean energy.