So you just bought a fancy new solar battery, congratulations on being one of the first Canadians to maximize your self-consumption!

 
 

No more fear of power-outages for you! With all this new technology though, there’s a lot of cool new stuff happening with your solar system. Let’s check it out;

 

The process all starts with those beautiful sun beams hitting your solar panels. When the sun hits your panels, electrons start moving, creating an electrical current. The inverters turn that energy into usable AC electricity.

 
 

The electricity goes directly into your home, powering the devices you’re currently using.

Any excess power first goes to your battery.

 
 

When your battery is full, you “sell” the excess electricity to your electrical provider in exchange for credits.

 
 

If your production is low (like on a cloudy day), and you need additional electricity, you first pull from your battery.

 
 

If you deplete your battery, and still need more electricity, you automatically pull electricity from the grid. Your stored credits are applied to the cost of this power.

 
 
 
 

What if the power goes out?

With a solar battery, you are able to use your stored electricity in the event of a power outage.

Yep, never again will you have to run outside in the cold at 3am to start the generator so your frozen pizza won’t go bad! True peace of mind!

How much can 1 battery hold?

This varies depending on the battery, which is why it’s important to choose a reliable installer to help you make the best choice.

Solar batteries range from 1-18kW. Typically, batteries are about 10kW.

How Long do solar batteries last?

This is also dependent on the specific battery; the age, quality, and depth of discharge. Usually, between 5-15 years. Check the manufacturer’s warranty before buying to know what you can expect from your battery!

How do I pick the best battery?

Choose a reliable and trustworthy installer to ensure you’re getting the best battery for your needs. There are a lot of options available these days, and considering how you’ll use the battery is important for choosing the right one.

To learn more about the different types of solar batteries, follow this link.

 
 

Should I Add a Battery?

There are so many benefits to investing in a battery back-up!

Peace of Mind

A solar battery is a direct route to peace of mind!

Next time the winds pick up, or the power flickers, you’ll be relaxing in comfort knowing your power source is independent.

Avoid Time of Use Rates

 

If you live somewhere that implements time-of-use rates on electricity, batteries have the additional bonus of allowing you to avoid peak times of use!

Maximize Your Self Consumption

A battery allows you to use 100% of the solar electricity your panels produce, maximizing your self consumption.

When you get home from work in the dark, with no active solar production occuring, you are still able to use your solar power by using the power stored in the battery.

How do I add a battery?