The modern solar power systems are highly efficient to produce more electricity than required. But, we all are aware of the major limitation of solar panels: they can generate power only when there is sunshine.
The peak power consumption tends to arise in the evenings, leading to a disbalance in supply and demand. Thankfully, solar power storage systems and solutions ensure the constant supply of solar power by storing excess energy and accessing it whenever required.
Do your solar systems produce more electricity than required and you can’t understand what you should do? If so, then read this post to explore how to make the best use of surplus energy. The leading rooftop solar installation company recommends the following effective ways to store and use excess solar power.
Benefits of Storing Excess Solar Power
Storing surplus solar energy production can help you make the most of your installed solar systems. It can assist you with highly efficient power grids, cost-effective solutions, and more benefits as discussed below –
Energy resilience
Severe environmental conditions, wildfires, and other reasons make the power grid susceptible to power outages, blackouts, and disruptions. Storing solar energy provides a reliable solution during disruptive situations by decentralizing where we access power.
Balance power loads
Skipping excess solar energy storage allows use of that power at the moment it is produced. Using surplus solar plus storage systems and solutions allows extra production to be relied upon for peak use.
Storing solar energy provides access to renewable electricity during night, blackouts, or when the wind stops blowing. In simpler terms, it allows charging power reservoirs during higher energy generation and lower demand. The stored power can be released when production is less and demand is high.
Cut greenhouse gas emissions
By controlling the amount of solar power you consume, you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are constantly increasing global warming. Large solar batteries can make any electronic appliance a solar-powered device. Moreover, it can be used for charging EVs (electric vehicles).
Reduce electric bills
If no solar net metering mechanism or other policies are available in your local area to compensate for excess power generation, battery storage comes in handy. These solar power storage systems can reduce the electric bill while using more of your solar energy. Since you are not getting compensation for sending surplus power to the grid, you can use the stored electricity on cloudy days or at night. You can meet your power needs without depending on the grid.
Consistent electric supply
Using short-term solar power storage assures a consistent supply of reliable electricity during disruptions in generators. For example, during regular inspection, repairing and replacement of solar system, passing clouds, etc.
How to Take Advantage of Excess Solar Power?
The following are the five ways to store and use excess solar power –
Solar battery
Solar battery storage is the most common way for residential users to store surplus solar energy. A chemical reaction among battery equipment stores the power when produced energy is pumped into the battery. Discharged battery reverses the reaction, facilitating current to leave the battery. You can draw excess energy from the storage system rather than drawing it from the grid.
Saltwater batteries, lead-acid solar batteries, and lithium-ion batteries are three different types of batteries to select from. Lithium-ion batteries are primarily used in solar applications and have comparatively longer lifespan. Secondly, they are lighter but more expensive than lead-acid solar batteries which are commonly used in off-grid systems. Saltwater batteries are presently unavailable because they are the newest technology that is still advancing.
Send solar energy to the grid
If you are living in an area where the net metering policy is available, you can use it to get the most out of surplus power. Net metering refers to the mechanism of sending extra solar power to the grid and receiving credits for feed grids.
The collected credits balance the power that you access from the grid at night or during outages. In addition, the credits received from feeding the energy decreases electricity bills. In India, most states have compulsory solar net metering policies to offset the power requirements.
Charge your electric vehicle
If you are using an electric vehicle, you can consider installing an electric vehicle charging station at your home or workplace. This way, you can use surplus solar energy for charging your EVs apart from running as many home appliances as possible. You can charge an EV or hybrid vehicle using solar power produced by rooftop or on-ground solar panels.
Shift home power loads
Residential and commercial buildings use a high amount of electricity during the morning and evening when there is lower sunshine. In some situations, it has been observed that solar power production doesn’t match with energy requirements. Shifting some power load to surplus electricity generation time provides great residential and commercial solar solutions by meeting power consumption needs.
Solar production largely depends on climate conditions. Combining all solar power generation variations helps with balanced utilization and avoiding extra power production. Load management includes shifting some load during higher power generation hours. For efficient load management, consider flexible activities. For example, powering heavy household appliances, charging EVs, and more.
Load management is one of the best ways to use excess solar power as it doesn’t need extra capital. You don’t need to install storage capacity. Secondly, load management is more cost-effective and profitable. Moreover, it assures a faster payback. Also, if load management doesn’t get the extra solar module’s power, you can blend it with a grid connection or solar power storage.
Heat water
When you have surplus solar power and you can’t understand where to use it, use it for heating water. This will be the best alternative rather than sending excess power back to the grid at a lower cost. Solar immersion equipment directs extra generated solar energy to the central heating. This is possible by regularly examining the incoming service grid lines.
Wrapping Up
Solar power systems offer renewable and reliable energy to meet power needs with reduced electricity costs. The above-mentioned are the most effective residential and commercial solar storage that provides great solutions for surplus power storage. Since the solar energy sector is constantly advancing, more technologies will emerge in the future. Experts at Megamax Solar will help in deciding which of these ways will provide an effective solution for storing solar energy in your commercial or residential setting.