How Home Solar Systems Work Without a Battery
If you’re wading into the solar energy pool but not ready to commit to a full-blown setup, Solar Bear is here to help. Our team can design a solar system that meets your home’s needs and sometimes, that includes installing solar panels without battery storage. It is not essential to have a battery backup and still possible to take advantage of all that solar energy has to offer. Read on to see what you can expect.
A solar battery is used primarily to provide electricity to critical loads for 24-48 hours in the case of a power outage. If you decide to forego battery storage, here’s one way a solar system works without it. There are generally two times a day – early morning and dusk – when solar panel production is lower, but energy needs are higher. During these times, most homes will pull power from the electrical grid. This is called a grid-tied system, or a system that is connected to an electrical power grid. With this system, you are reliant on a grid to produce usable solar energy and direct any excess energy to net metering. Net metering, a billing process that credits solar energy system owners on their utility bills for any excess energy they add to the grid. Currently, Tampa Electric Company (TECO), Duke Energy, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) all offer utility net metering programs in Florida. This could be considered “storing” energy so that is available to use later. Should you need additional power at night, the system will reverse and pull the power that you need. As long as you’re connected to the grid, you can pull power from it when needed. However, during times of peak sunshine, any solar power produced by your system will be used first.
Using solar power without battery storage will still drastically reduce your carbon footprint but there are a few things to note. If you plan to live a fully remote lifestyle without any tie to a utility grid, you must have battery storage. This will be essential if you want to use energy or lights at night when your system is not producing. Batteries can also qualify for additional state and local rebates so make sure to check with the Solar Bear team to see what you qualify for if you decide to waive battery storage.
With Solar Bear, a sustainable future is yours for the taking! Give us a call today at (813) 922-3735 or schedule your free estimate online.
