The recent round of heatwaves, and the upcoming hurricane season have many Americans wondering how energy-secure they really are. Some suppliers are pushing hard to sign up as many solar battery sales as they can while ‘fish are running’. We decided to dispel a couple of myths that are confusing consumers who are new to this game.
The Commonest Solar Battery Myths
Myth # 1 – Solar Batteries Are a Money Spinner
A solar battery installation will only make you money if it earns enough income to cover the setup costs. This income must also accrue within a time frame that’s competitive with other investments. The real benefit solar brings is the peace of mind home-owners gain, by owning renewable energy during utility outages.
Myth # 2 – Purchase the Biggest Solar Battery You Can
Bigger batteries have more capacity to store greater amounts of renewable energy. We can liken this to a truck with a larger load bay than a pickup. Save money. First find out how long your average grid outages are likely to be. Then purchase enough capacity to keep your essential equipment running for that period.
Myth # 3 – You Have to Order the Battery with the Panels
This is one of the biggest whoppers in our industry. A solar panel installation produces direct-current electricity, that an inverter connects to the alternating version. Any solar battery we know can back fit as intermediary, and store the original direct current. You just need to make sure the solar panel provider supplies a flexible inverter.
Myth # 4 – Solar Panels Free You From the Grid
This is only partly true at best. You would need a huge solar battery, and a ‘house load’ of panels before you could leave the grid. However – and here’s the catch – you would then not be able to sell power back to the grid, and perhaps even pay for your system over time. That’s why most homeowners opt for the lower-cost middle road.
Do not go overboard and fall for the temptation of owning a ‘Cadillac’ of a system. You have other priorities like educating the kids and enjoying decent holidays. Remember, you can upgrade your panels and batteries if your need changes.
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