Installing Solar Panels? Here’s Why You Should Hold Off on Battery Storage

When President Biden took office, he developed a sustainability-driven policy aimed at minimizing ecological harm. The Build Back Better plan highlights a national carbon-neutrality goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Support for the project involves developing a clean electric grid.

Creating the grid requires solar power storage advancements, and some people are now questioning whether they should invest in battery technology. Before exploring the limitations of solar system storage devices, we must assess the enhanced demand for the advancements.

The Increased Demand for Battery Storage Solar Systems

Solar energy effectively reduces atmospheric degradation. Nearly 80% of the U.S. power supply comes from fossil fuels. During combustion, the energy sources release greenhouse gases, polluting the environment. As emissions invade the atmosphere, they change its composition, minimizing its ability to produce life-sufficient surface temperatures.

Naturally, Earth absorbs solar radiation and produces heat, warming the environment. It then collects extra energy and sends it to space, preventing overheating. Greenhouse gases raise the atmosphere’s light-to-heat exchange rate, producing excessive quantities of heat.

They also trap energy in the environment, refiltering it through the warming process. Over time, emissions increase the global temperature. Renewable electricity produces zero combustion-related emissions and minimizes the enhanced greenhouse effect.

One limitation of solar power reducing its compatibility with global energy demands is its low storage abilities. Panels alone can’t contain excess electricity and are unable to meet needs during low light hours. Environmental engineers and scientists responded to the challenges by creating effective storage technology. This tech converts our energy reliance away from fossil fuels toward clean sources. 

Some may question why we have yet to make the transition. There are some limitations with current battery storage, keeping professionals from enhancing independent solar systems.

The Battery Storage Market Is Young

When energy professionals designed battery storage technology for solar power, they utilized hydrogen fuel cells. The system connects solar panels to a large hydrogen storage system residing in metal units. After panels produce electricity, they charge a conventional battery, producing electricity.

Then, the storage device divides the energy into hydrogen and water, removing the water for reuse. Next, the system collects and contains hydrogen and stores it as a solid. When the local electricity demand increases, the technology filters the elements through a hybrid inverter, producing a direct current of emission-less power.

Though the technology effectively stores solar power, it is only suitable with large spaces. Engineers have yet to create a residential option to meet lower energy demands. The lack of compatible devices minimizes battery storage accessibility for independent owners.

Grid-Tied Solar Is More Cost-Effective

Many individuals considering whether to install residential solar systems are concerned about installation and maintenance costs. Some believe panels can damage their rooftops, causing high repair fees. However, they can protect roofs from damaging weather and provide a cooling effect.

The real financial challenges come from battery storage additions. Though panel costs are dropping, providing the most affordable electricity option on the market, battery prices remain high. Individuals can minimize their financial demands by connecting their panels to a grid-tied system.

The grid technology connects regional clean power supplies, using one battery system to store all excess electricity. Using the grid-tied alternative, residents may shrink their initial purchase costs by opting out of a solar-plus-storage system.

Investing in Battery-Ready Inverters

Individuals can still access the benefits of renewable energy by installing panels today and storage systems in the future. Battery-ready inverters help people shrink their carbon footprints and wait for efficient storage system advancements. Researchers predict engineers will produce compatible technology soon, decreasing the reliance on energy grids.

Homeowners can not install panels with an inverter, connecting their electricity to a communal storage system. The inverters also increase a solar system’s cost-effectiveness and reduce reliance on expensive and inefficient devices.