What is energy independence with solar and battery storage?

The concept of gaining energy independence with solar and battery storage is exciting, but what exactly does that mean, and what does it take to get there? Having an energy independent home means producing and storing your own electricity to minimize your reliance on grid electricity from a utility.

What if my solar system has a surplus of energy?

Let’s dig deeper into what your options are when your existing solar system has a surplus of energy. That excess photovoltaic energy can either be exchanged for net metering credits, or stored in a solar battery, or a combination of both. If you don’t have battery storage, you can use net metering to offset your grid usage.

How does a solar system work?

Solar systems produce an unpredictable amount of power during the day as the sunlight changes and that quantity of power is independent from how much power you’re using in that moment. The grid regulates your power intake by acting as a massive storage system that your solar power feeds into and allows you to draw from.

Can a solar battery be used for grid arbitrage?

Since energy is cheapest to buy from utility companies during the day and most expensive during peak usage hours in the evening, you can use a solar battery for grid arbitrage. This means that you would charge your battery with your solar energy instead of feeding it back to the grid during low cost hours.

Should you use solar panels with a battery backup?

With energy storage technology advancing so rapidly, you can now, more easily and cost-effectively than ever, rely on a combination of solar panels with a battery backup to satisfy your energy requirements. There’s an endless list of personal, political, and economic reasons to strive for energy independence. Here are a few that stand out:

Why should you go solar?

There are countless reasons to go solar. Achieving energy independence is just one of them. Explore your home electrictification options here. The concept of gaining energy independence through solar and battery is exciting. But what exactly does that mean, and what does it take to get there?