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Backup Batteries: Powering Through Emergencies & Outages
Solar power has become increasingly popular as a clean and sustainable energy source. However, relying solely on solar panels can leave you vulnerable during power outages. This is where solar backup batteries come in. These powerful devices store excess solar energy generated during the day, providing reliable power when the grid goes down.
Key Players in the Backup Battery Market:
Several leading companies offer innovative solar backup battery solutions:
The Enphase Encharge: a modular home battery system that offers exceptional flexibility and scalability. This modularity allows homeowners to start with a smaller battery bank to address their immediate energy storage needs, such as backup power for essential appliances during outages. As energy demands increase, you can seamlessly add more Encharge batteries to the system.
Enphase's IQ8 microinverters also introduce a significant advancement: microgrid-forming technology. This empowers homes with increased energy independence by enabling them to operate independently from the grid during power outages. With IQ8 microinverters, homes can utilize solar power directly to supply essential loads, creating a microgrid within their premises. However, it's important to note that this microgrid functionality relies on available sunlight when not paired with batteries.
FranklinWH Battery Systems: FranklinWH offers a range of battery systems, including models specifically designed for 208-volt residential systems. This compatibility makes them a viable option for homes with unique electrical setups. Their batteries are also AC-coupled, meaning they operate independently of the solar inverter.
LG Chem RESU: LG Chem offers a range of residential and commercial energy storage solutions. Their RESU line of batteries is known for its reliability and performance, and they are available in configurations suitable for various solar system sizes for Non-Backup, Partial and Whole Home Backup applications.
Solaredge Home Battery: Solaredge offers a range of backup solutions that seamlessly integrate with their solar inverters, providing a comprehensive and efficient energy storage system. Adding batteries to an existing Solaredge system requires the inverter be swapped with either a Storedge or Energy Hub type inverter.
Sonnen: This German company offers a variety of battery storage solutions, from small home systems to large commercial installations. They are known for their focus on smart energy management and grid services, and their systems are compatible with various voltage requirements, including single and three phase 208 or 240V systems.
Tesla Powerwall: A well-known and the most popular option, the Tesla Powerwall is a sleek and integrated battery system. It can be used for both daily energy savings (by shifting energy use to times when electricity is cheaper), backup power during outages and has an integrated app ecosystem if you also own a Tesla EV and their Charger.
Tesla Powerwall: A Deeper Dive
The Tesla Powerwall has gained significant popularity due to its sleek design, ease of installation, and integration with the Tesla ecosystem. It offers several key features:
Daily Energy Savings: By storing excess solar energy generated during the day, the Powerwall can reduce reliance on the grid, potentially lowering electricity bills.
Backup Power: During power outages, the Powerwall provides reliable backup power for essential appliances and circuits, keeping your home running smoothly.
Peak Demand Shaving: The Powerwall can help reduce peak demand charges by providing power during times of high energy usage, such as hot summer afternoons.
EV Integration: This is where the Tesla app shines.
Charging Optimization: The app allows you to schedule EV charging to coincide with times of low electricity demand or when solar energy production is at its peak. This can significantly reduce charging costs and maximize the use of clean energy.
Battery-to-Vehicle (B2V) Charging: The Powerwall can be used to charge your Tesla vehicle directly, providing a convenient and sustainable charging option.
Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) Functionality: With the appropriate hardware, the Powerwall can utilize the battery in your Tesla to provide emergency backup power to your home. This bidirectional energy flow enhances the overall resilience of your home energy system.
Comprehensive Monitoring: The Tesla app provides a centralized, closed-loop platform to monitor energy usage, battery levels, charging schedules, and other key metrics related to both your EV Charger, PowerWall, PowerShare and your Tesla vehicles.
https://www.tesla.com/powerwall
Parial & Whole-Home Backup Applications
It's crucial to understand that the power requirements for a whole-home backup can be substantial. High-demand appliances like air conditioners, electric ovens, and well pumps can significantly increase energy consumption due to various factors like device or appliance running times and surge currents on startup.
Partial vs. Whole-Home Backup: A single battery is typically sufficient for a partial home backup, powering essential circuits like lighting, refrigeration, and some outlets.
Whole-Home Backup: To power the entire home, including high-demand appliances, most households will require 2-3 home batteries.
Important Note: While a single home battery can provide backup for essential circuits (lighting, refrigeration), powering high-demand appliances like air conditioners and electric ovens often requires 2-3 batteries for a full home backup due to high demand loads and inrush currents that quickly deplete the stored energy.
(Inrush current is the sudden, high surge of current that an electrical device draws when you first turn it on. Think of it as the device "gulping" a huge amount of power in the first few moments then normalizes quickly and uses less power to run, like how lights flicker when your A/C unit kicks on.)
Tesla PowerShare: Extending Backup Power
Tesla has developed a new technology called "PowerShare," which allows homeowners to use the battery power stored in their electric vehicles (EVs) as backup power for their homes during outages. This innovative solution leverages the energy stored in your EV, extending the backup power capabilities beyond the limitations of a home battery system alone. This feature is currently only available on the Cybertruck models but in the next 2-3 years, all Tesla models are expected to have this amazing ability.
https://www.tesla.com/powershare
Conclusion
Solar backup batteries offer a valuable solution for homeowners seeking energy independence and peace of mind during power outages. By carefully considering your energy needs and exploring options like the Enphase Encharge or the popular Tesla Powerwall, you can choose the best backup battery system to protect your home and enhance your energy resilience that fit your future, specific needs and budget.
Contact us today if you're looking into exploring home backup options! We will provide a custom solution that considers your usage patterns and budget!
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