Solar panels generate electricity when light shines on them but that electricity gets wasted if it is not used immediately. The electricity is sent back out to the grid as excess power unless it is stored in a battery.

What a Solar Battery Actually Does

Your home’s quietest hours are typically the middle of the day when it is generating excess electricity. A solar battery captures this surplus and uses it in the evening. As a result, the percentage of the solar electricity you actually use has increased significantly.

Usable Capacity in Plain Terms

A battery is described in terms of size in kilowatt-hours, but you will also see this referred to as ‘usable capacity’ (as opposed to total capacity). As an example a 10 kWh battery would deliver approximately 9 kWh. The average household uses around 8-10 kWh per day so in many instances one battery unit will be able to cater for evening and overnight usage.

AC-Coupled or DC-Coupled

AC-Coupled or DC-Coupled – how the battery connects to the system. However, AC-Coupled batteries are easier to connect to an existing system. For more on Solar Panel Installation Yate, take a look at https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installation-yate.

Grid Interaction and Time-of-Use Tariffs

A battery can also be set to recharge your home with cheap overnight electricity from the grid and use that to power your home during peak hour rates. This becomes particularly attractive when smart tariffs are available and are rising in popularity.

The Hybrid Inverter

The Hybrid Inverter will control the power to and from the panels, battery and the grid. The standard inverter will not have the capability to manage a battery system.

A good battery to go with your solar panels turns your solar array into a reliable source of power for you 24/7.