How Much Energy Is Stored In a Solar Panel?

How Much Energy Is Stored In a Solar Panel?

When homeowners consider installing solar panels, energy storage is often a concern. On long, sunny summer days, solar panels produce excess energy. Then, they don’t make any energy at night. How is this energy production regulated? If you’re looking for solar panel information, we have the answers. The truth is that solar panels don’t store energy at all, but there are ways to get around this.

How Solar Energy Works

Solar panels use a type of system called a “photovoltaic system.” This type of system absorbs sunlight. Then, it’s converted into electricity. The amount of power produced depends on the amount of sunlight the panel receives. Excess energy can be made when the solar panels receive a lot of sunlight. This excess energy can benefit homeowners in one of two ways.

First, it can be sent back to the utility grid. When the local power company receives your leftover energy, it gives you credits to cover the cost of powering your home during periods solar can’t make enough. This is called “net metering.” The second method is through battery storage. Rather than send excess power to the grid, the system feeds it to the battery and during periods of low solar production the home draws it’s needed energy from the battery.

Solar Battery Storage

Some homeowners would rather their solar energy system be “off the grid” entirely. In fact, this isn’t usually because of regulations set by the Government.  However, solar batteries can make it so your home rarely, if ever uses power from the grid. Solar batteries are installed alongside a solar panel system. Then, they work the way other batteries do. When solar panels absorb excess energy, the energy “charges” the battery. The solar battery then stores this charge for a cloudy day, nighttime, or periods of high demand within the home. Solar batteries can even act as a backup generator for stormy days when the power goes out.

Battery Capacity

The amount of energy that can be stored depends on the battery. As a result, it’s important to pick the battery that best suits your home and needs. Many different solar batteries on the market have differing capacities. This capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). That’s not the only thing homeowners should take into consideration. Batteries also have a tendency to lose their capacity over time. Paying attention to the life cycle of a battery as well as its capacity is important when deciding which brand and model to pick.

Which Is Best?

Researching solar battery storage is an important part of getting solar panel information. Thankfully, our team at Fafco Solar has all the info you need. First, give us a call about how to get a consultation. Then, we can help you decide which kind of solar power system is best for you and your home. We can even give you more information about battery capacity and which options are best for you.