Installing Solar Panels: What’s the Difference Between Grid-Tied and Battery Energy Storage Systems?

When you decide to go the solar route, figuring out how you’re going to store energy for use in times when there isn’t enough sunlight to meet your power needs is one of the biggest elements to consider. Your solar panel installer can talk you through the different energy storage options that are available to you. Together, you can decide what’s best for your situation. However, going in to that conversation armed with a basic knowledge of the two basic setups–grid-tied versus battery solar panel systems–will ensure that you and your solar expert are on the same page, and that you make the best-informed decision possible.

A grid-tied solar panel system is, as it sounds like, connected to the general power grid. Because the sun is such a bountiful resource, it’s quite possible that, at times, your solar panels will create more power than you can use. With a grid-tied system, that excess power is converted to AC current via a grid-tie inverter and then is essentially sold to the power company to be used elsewhere. A metering program records how much of your power goes through this process, and you are credited that amount against your monthly electricity bill. On days when there isn’t enough sun shining, you’ll also be able to draw power from the grid to keep your lights on and your appliances running. A grid-tied solar power installation is great if you are using a combination of solar energy and traditionally generated electricity to power your home.

The other commonly used option for how your solar energy is stored is a battery-based system. This is a closed system that is not connected to the power grid. Instead of excess power getting converted into electricity and being sold to the power company, that converted electricity is stored in rechargeable batteries. One of the main benefits of the battery model is that it puts you in total control of your power. You can use the stored electricity whenever you need it, particularly at night or on days when the sun isn’t shining, and at no additional cost. If you decided to install solar panels in order to use solar energy as your primary power source, battery storage is an excellent option.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Installing Solar Panels: What’s the Difference Between Grid-Tied and Battery Energy Storage Systems?

Build Solar Panel Energy Storage Systems

If you are a person who detests the day you need to pay huge electricity bills, then wait no further. Please read the pointers we have enlisted below to reduce the electricity consumption and therefore the bill.

The first and foremost thing to be noted is that all unnecessary electrical appliances are to be turned off when not in use. This message should be passed around to each and every person who uses the appliance. The members of your household must be made aware of the glaring electricity crisis and also the cost of running electrical items like fan, light, televisions, computers etc when they are not required.

The lights are mandatory at night and hence they cannot be turned off then. However you need to ensure that lights are not turned on in unwanted rooms. They are trivial things which help in saving money over a period of time.

Once you are done with the above guidelines, you need to ensure that the lights do not consume too much of power. There are compact CFL bulbs and fluorescent lamps which consume lesser power than the incandescent lights. Hence this helps in conserving the energy.

Monitor the power intake of your household carefully and try reducing the consumption by means of energy saving gadgets.

There is a common misconception that the electricity bill depends directly on the number of electrical appliances present. It is not the number of appliances present that matters, but the number of appliances that are currently running. Properly planning out strategies can help in reducing the power consumption.

Identify the appliances which consume the maximum power and use them wisely. For example, it is highly unnecessary to use washing machines for washing few clothes. You can use them when the amount exceeds a bucket or two. Similarly air-conditioners and geysers should be used only when necessary and for a limited amount of time. While using ACs make sure that you maintain proper average temperature. Again monitors and television screens utilize large amount of power. So turn them off when not in use.

On another note, it is better to use renewable sources of electricity like wind, sun and water as they are cheaper and available for free. Popular energy saving guides can help you build solar panel energy storage kits to help in setting up such devices to generate electricity at home. They not only reduce the burden of huge electricity bills but also provide a constant supply of electricity. When such plans are used on a larger scale, the global energy requirement is bound to reduce.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Build Solar Panel Energy Storage Systems