Because solar panels produce their electricity when the sun is shining, a battery is a great asset if you want to use solar generated electricity at night.
However, this is not the only benefit. Batteries are used whenever energy demands exceed the energy output of the panels. Therefore, on days when you are not using as much electricity, the excess will be stored in your batteries and which can be drawn upon on days when you use more than the panels produce.
Without a battery, excess power will be sent back to the grid with a lot less value. As of November 2018, in NSW, when you draw power from grid you pay an average of 24 - 30c per kilowatt. However, sending the power back to the grid, you earn a rate ranging from 0.11 – 15c/kW. From this discrepancy alone, we can see how it is more cost effective to store your excess solar energy for use in your home.
If greater energy independence and reduced power bills are your primary goals, batteries can certainly help you achieve these aims. But what about return on investment?
The price of batteries has lowered dramatically in the previous few years, as the efficiency has risen. We are closer than ever to the goal of reducing the payback period by the addition of batteries to a solar system, rather than adding panels to your installation. However, the most appropriate question for the current state of development is whether the battery pays for itself before or after its warranty.
Most quality lithium batteries will have a 10 year warranty, and whether the battery will pay itself before that period will depend on the quality of the battery and the overall efficiency of the system itself. That is why it's important to have a well-planned design, quality components and a competent installation from a reputable company. SunPeople offers a range of premium batteries for every solar system, follow this link to find out more.
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