GETTING TO KNOW SOLAR + STORAGE
As clean green resources such as solar energy become more popular over time, we also see a rise in solar innovations. A good example would be solar batteries. Along with the surging growth of solar energy worldwide, the market potential for solar-energy-storage devices have also expanded greatly.
What is Solar+Storage?
A typical solar PV system includes solar panels, an inverter, equipment to mount the panels on your roof, and a performance monitoring system that tracks electricity production. As for a solar+storage system, you would install an additional solar battery. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly known as the ones that power our phones, are one type of solar batteries. In some cases, the solar battery will come with its own inverter to allow integrated energy conversion. In short, this solar energy innovation enables excess solar power to be stored for later use.
How does Solar+Storage works?
Now, let’s break down how the solar+storage system function as a unit. First of all, when you install a solar battery as part of your solar panel system, you are able to store excess solar electricity at your home instead of sending it directly back to the grid. As and when your solar panels are producing more electricity than you need to power your premise, the excess energy goes towards charging the battery. Later, when your solar panels aren’t producing electricity, you can draw the energy stored in your battery. To put it simply, electricity will be sent back to the grid once your battery is fully charged, and electricity will be drawn from the grid when your battery is depleted.
What are the benefits of Solar+Storage?
- Effectively reduce your electricity bills
- Ensure your home’s energy security, in case of reduced panel output, or unexpected power or grid outages
- Contribute to creating a more sustainable future by reducing your home’s carbon footprint and bringing it closer to self-sufficiency
- Gain more control over how you use your energy and where your excess goes.
The three main categories of Solar-PV-plus-storage systems are: grid-tied, grid/hybrid and off-grid. The grid/hybrid and off-grid types come with a solar battery. At the moment, Malaysia only allows the installation of grid-tied solar PV systems. In other words, the option of installing a solar+storage system is not available yet. However, this is good information on the subject of solar innovations as well as how solar batteries could be a fantastic way to stabilize the energy system in the future.