Want to slash your electricity bills? Solar batteries store unused solar energy, letting you use it at night or peak hours. Learn how batteries boost savings.
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Homeowners are increasingly turning to solar energy to cut down on electricity costs, but to maximise savings, it’s worth considering solar batteries. These devices store excess energy generated by solar panels during the day, allowing you to use it during peak hours or when your panels aren't producing power, such as at night.
With electricity prices continuing to rise, investing in solar batteries can be a smart way to future-proof your home against fluctuating energy costs. If you’re looking to optimise your energy savings, you’ll likely need to find an electrician to install and maintain your solar battery system.
What Are Solar Batteries?
A solar battery works by storing the excess energy your solar panels generate during the day. Instead of sending this surplus energy back to the grid, the battery stores it for later use, like in the evening or during cloudy days.
This stored energy can then power your home when your panels aren’t generating enough electricity, reducing your dependence on the grid and your electricity bills.
In some cases, solar batteries can even help you go off-grid or provide backup power during outages.
How Solar Batteries Help Reduce Your Energy Bills
1. Maximise Solar Energy Use One of the most significant ways solar batteries reduce energy costs is by allowing you to use more of the energy generated by your solar panels.
Without a battery, any excess energy is typically sent back to the grid, earning you a small credit through feed-in tariffs (FiT). However, the savings from storing and using this energy yourself far outweigh the FiT earnings.
For instance, you might receive 9 cents per kWh from your electricity retailer for feeding excess energy into the grid, but the cost of buying electricity from the grid during peak periods can be as high as 60 cents per kWh.
2. Reduce Peak Demand Charges Many electricity providers impose higher rates during peak demand periods, usually between 4 pm and 9 pm. By using the energy stored in your solar battery during these peak hours, you can avoid paying higher tariffs.
This “time-shifting” ensures that your most expensive energy consumption is powered by your stored solar energy instead of the grid. As a result, your overall electricity bills are significantly reduced.
3. Protect Against Rising Electricity Prices Solar batteries offer a buffer against fluctuating electricity prices.
As energy prices continue to rise, having a solar battery installed makes your household more energy self-sufficient, reducing your reliance on increasingly expensive grid electricity.
Over the long term, this can offer substantial savings and better control over your energy expenditure.
4. Future-Proof Your Home Beyond immediate savings, a solar battery helps future-proof your home. Electricity prices are likely to continue rising, and changes in energy policy, including potential reductions in FiT, mean that storing your own energy will become even more cost-effective in the future.
In some cases, utility companies are starting to limit or even charge households for exporting energy back to the grid. With a solar battery, you’re less affected by these changes because you’re consuming more of your own generated power.
Payback Period for Solar Batteries
The payback period for solar batteries varies based on several factors:
- The size of your solar battery: Larger batteries store more energy, potentially leading to greater savings.
- Your household’s energy consumption: Homes with higher energy usage see faster returns as they rely more on stored solar energy.
- Electricity rates and tariffs in your area: The higher your electricity costs, the quicker your solar battery pays for itself. For example, if your electricity rates are high during peak hours, using stored solar energy during these times will reduce your bills more substantially.
On average, most homeowners see a return on investment from their solar battery system within 7 to 10 years. However, with advancements in technology and government incentives, this payback period is expected to shorten in the coming years.
Increasing Energy Independence
Solar batteries not only help reduce your bills, but they also give you more energy independence. With a battery system in place, you’re less reliant on the grid and less susceptible to blackouts or disruptions in electricity supply. For homes in areas prone to power outages, a solar battery can serve as a reliable backup system, keeping essential appliances and devices powered when the grid is down.
Reducing Environmental Impact
While financial savings are a major incentive, using solar batteries can also help you reduce your carbon footprint. By relying less on the grid and more on renewable energy, you’re contributing to a cleaner environment. Excess energy that would otherwise be wasted is stored and used, leading to more efficient energy consumption.
Installing a solar battery is not a DIY project—it requires the expertise of a licensed electrician. ServiceSeeking.com.au can help you find an electrician who specialises in solar battery systems.
Make sure to choose an electrician with experience in installing solar batteries, as they will be able to recommend the right system for your needs, ensure proper installation, and provide maintenance tips to maximise the lifespan of your battery.
Solar batteries are a powerful tool for reducing energy bills and increasing your home’s energy independence. If you’re ready to take the next step in your solar journey, it’s essential to find an electrician who can guide you through the installation process and help you choose the right system for your home.
