If you are thinking about going "green" or using environmentally-friendly energy sources, there is no better time than the present. One way you can do that is by investing in solar panels, which promise a clean and sustainable energy source for all power needs in your home. For many, solar panel arrays will be adequate to keep your electrical appliances running throughout the day.
However, after sundown or during a power outage, solar panel arrays cannot provide you with the power you need to run your electrical appliances if you do not have energy storage batteries. Whether you want to go off the electrical grid, reduce your bills, or earn bill credits, adding energy storage batteries to your solar energy system could be the solution.
Fortunately, solar panels or arrays and backup solar batteries are affordable and easily accessible for many. Solar energy has become the answer for many who do not want to leave carbon footprints on the environment, and you can join this movement to make the world a better place for future generations to enjoy.
If you are considering investing in solar energy or adding solar batteries to your existing solar panel system, our reputable and experienced experts at Orange County Home Remodeling would be glad to help. Our team of experts will help you choose and install the best solar batteries on the market to enjoy a much-needed break from the electrical power grid system and the associated bills.
Solar Batteries and Solar Panels at a Glance
With an increased interest in renewable energy sources worldwide, several people are more interested in solar energy than ever. The ability to tap energy from the sun and use it to power household amenities is a huge plus for the environment and a great way to utilize a resource available to us each day for several hours.
However, several people do not understand what solar panel systems are or how they can use them as environmental-friendly energy sources at home. A solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic (PV) cell, is a device that absorbs sunlight and converts it into electrical energy using PV cells.
Since solar panels harvest direct sunlight and convert it to direct current (DC), you will need an inverter to transform this current into a usable alternating current (AC) to power your household appliances. The number of solar panels you need to offset your electrical bills will depend on your unique panel specifications, annual electricity usage, and geographical location.
Generally speaking, solar panels go together with solar batteries, allowing several homeowners to store excess energy tapped from the sun. As mentioned above, solar panels can only generate electricity when it is sunny during the daytime. That is why backup solar batteries are a vital requirement for people using or planning to invest in solar panel systems as their source of power at home.
Backup solar batteries store excess energy harvested during the day for use at night when the sun is low or during a power outage. When there is a power outage, your backup solar batteries will automatically switch on and provide you with much-needed electricity for many hours, a day, or longer.
If you have solar panel arrays and backup batteries, the panels can keep your household appliances running during the day and charge your backup batteries for use at night. Instead of relying on power from the grid system at night, the batteries will serve your house's power needs.
If you do not have batteries to store the excess energy your solar panels generate, it is redirected or transferred to the local electric grid system. Adding backup solar batteries to your solar panel system is undoubtedly a significant investment. Therefore, it is crucial to understand what is involved in the installation process and what to expect.
Solar Energy and Electrical Power Grid System
The electrical power grid is an intricate system designed to provide electricity using transmission lines to consumers from its generation point or power plant. Since the electrical grid generates its electricity using fossil fuels and other nonrenewable energy sources that pollute the environment, it is a great idea to seek out different clean and renewable energy sources, like the sun and wind.
Although investing in solar energy systems can save you a lot of money on utility bills and reduce your environmental carbon footprint, you do not have to cut ties with your utility company entirely. During the winter, when there is less sunlight, you will need them to remain warm and keep your household appliances running.
Staying connected to or linked to your electrical power grid system ensures that you have sufficient power in your home, even during seasons with low sunlight. As previously mentioned, the excess electricity that your solar panel system produces is transferable to the power grid, and the utility company will give you credit for transferring energy to their grid.
That means you can use these credits to use electricity from the local power grid system during times of need, like winter. However, without solar batteries, you cannot store the surplus energy and utilize it for household power needs.
Solar batteries are a critical and much-needed investment in your existing solar energy system, providing an effective solution to storing the excess energy you harvest on sunny days.
How to Install Solar Batteries in Your Solar Energy System
Installing and integrating solar batteries with your solar energy system is an uncomplicated and recommended investment for any person or homeowner looking forward to upgrading his/her solar energy or power system. Solar batteries can offer you the choice to store surplus energy and utilize it to power your home, cars, and other appliances or amenities that rely on AC.
Fortunately, installing backup solar batteries is easy if you have a reliable team of experts who understand everything about solar energy systems. Our courteous and skilled experts will ensure the solar backup battery installation process is smooth and up to the required standard. Below is a brief guide to the solar panel and battery installation process:
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Contact a Reliable Local Solar Energy Specialist
The first step if you need to invest in a solar energy system is to contact an expert who understands the ins and outs of solar energy. The solar energy specialist you will hire can give you an estimate of the necessary cost and the suitable solar energy program (SEP) for your unique homestead.
If you already have a SEP, our experienced specialists can help you install back solar batteries to store surplus energy. However, if you do not have a SEP, we can assist you in finding a suitable program that best fits your home's energy needs. SEP can vary depending on factors like your home's annual energy usage.
Our specialists will keenly listen to your interests and energy goals to formulate a unique, detailed program for your solar energy system, including the following:
- Number of solar panels you require.
- The ideal location to install the solar panel arrays in your home.
- Additional components you will need for this investment.
- The ideal solar panels suitable for your location and house roofing.
- The standards and codes that you should comply with in your region.
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Your Roof and Attic Inspection
Once you agree to the proposed estimates and the program, the solar energy specialist will begin the work by inspecting your roof and attic to ensure they are strong enough to hold the required solar panels. Another reason for this inspection is to ensure your home's electrical wiring system is successfully compatible with the proposed SEP.
If the electrical wiring and the roof need attention or renovation, our team will begin the solar energy installation process after fixing these issues.
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Submit Your SEP to the Permitting Department
Once your electrical wiring system and the roof pass the inspection criteria, our specialist can help you submit the SEP to the permitting and utility departments. The program document should have all the details and information on regional codes and the solar panel you intend to use to power your home.
Before our specialists begin the solar panel and battery installation process, the department mentioned in the previous paragraph must approve your program. That is where our specialists come in to ensure your program has all the required information these permitting departments need to begin using solar energy as soon as possible.
Once your SEP is approved, our specialists will inform you to begin the solar energy system installation process immediately.
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Schedule an Installation Date
Once your SEP is approved, we will call you to plan an installation time and date that work best for you, depending on your schedule. We will also provide solar batteries, panels, and all the components you need for your solar energy system. Although every project has varying demands, installing the solar energy system will take approximately one day.
Once we finish the project and the area is clean, we will find a licensed inspector to come and inspect your solar panel system.
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Solar Batteries Installation
Once your solar panels are in place, the next step is to install solar batteries. Our team will work with you to determine the ideal place to install solar batteries in your home. Generally, solar batteries should stay in a neat location that is easily accessible and reachable by electricians.
Our team will work to ensure that your backup solar batteries and inverters are well-installed to pass the installation and SEP inspection phases.
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Prepare for the Inspection Process
The inspection process is the last stage of the solar energy installation process. The primary purpose of this inspection is to ensure that the solar components and the wiring system adhere to the required standards and legal codes. The inspection is necessary before you use your newly installed solar energy to power your home amenities.
Depending on where you live, the inspector could take several days or a week to inspect your solar panels and batteries. Once the inspection is over, you can switch your solar panel on to take advantage of this renewable and affordable energy source.
Our specialists will work to help you prepare a cost-effective SEP that meets the required codes and standards to avoid any issues during the inspection phase.
The Advantages of Using Solar Batteries in Your Home
After investing in a solar energy system, you can be sure of your energy independence. Although it will cost you to buy and install solar panels and batteries, once they are installed, there will be no more energy costs unless there is a need for repair.
If you have back solar batteries, you can store your surplus energy harvested during sunny days and use it at night and on other days with low sunlight, like winter, reducing costly electric utility bills. Although you could need power from the local electrical grid during the winter or when your backup batteries are not charged, investing in a solar energy system will make you feel fully independent.
Typically, most people with solar energy systems rely on power from the electrical grid once the sun goes down from 4 p.m. However, when you have a SEP, you can use the energy stored in your solar batteries at these times of the day. Avoiding reliance on the electrical grid system during peak times or at night can significantly reduce utility bills.
Several homeowners will argue that the greatest benefit of using solar energy is that it can pay for itself. Aside from reducing your carbon footprint, you will save money using solar panels and batteries as the source of the required electricity in your home.
Find a Solar Energy Specialist Near Me
If you want to switch to more cost-friendly energy sources like the sun to enjoy several advantages of solar power, it is undoubtedly a decision you will not regret. Our reliable specialists at Orange County Home Remodeling can help you through every stage of the installation process, from setting up your solar panels to selecting and installing solar batteries as your backup power source.
We invite you to call us at 657-660-3481 for an obligation-free consultation with our courteous specialists today. We will answer all your questions about solar energy and solar batteries and schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss what to expect and how to achieve your intended energy goals in your home.
