Solar energy is a renewable energy source, which means it won’t run out – as long as the sun is shining. This power can now be combined with energy storage systems to store excess energy for use during the night or on cloudy days, increasing the reliability of solar energy.

As we currently understand, it is a virtually inexhaustible resource, making it a sustainable solution for the long term. Scientists believe that solar energy has existed since the 7th century B.C. when early civilizations utilized magnifying glass-like items to create fire. Over hundreds of years, mankind has homed in on solar energy advancements, finally commercializing this technology in 1982, when true solar energy devices came online in California for power generation. Ongoing research and development in the solar industry has led to continuous technological improvements, making solar panels more efficient and affordable over time.

Installing solar panels on your property can lead to significant savings on your electricity bills. You can generate your own energy and even earn money by selling excess power back to the grid through net metering or feed-in tariffs. Nowadays, Solar PV systems have relatively low maintenance and operating costs compared to many other forms of power generation. They often come with long warranties and can last for several decades.

While the initial investment can be substantial, home energy storage systems can pay for themselves over time by reducing your electricity bills and increasing the value of your property. State, local, and federal governments offer a myriad of financial incentives, tax credits, and rebates to promote the adoption of solar energy, making it more affordable for homeowners and businesses. Because of this, solar energy at your home can increase your property value and make it more attractive to potential buyers. If you believe you could need a generator, solar home energy storage units are typically quiet and don’t produce noise pollution, unlike traditional backup generators.

Because solar panel systems can be combined with energy storage solutions, homeowners can take advantage of differences in electricity rates by storing energy when it’s cheap and selling it back to the grid when prices are high, further enhancing cost savings. They can reduce peak demand charges and save on electricity costs by using stored energy during periods of high demand when electricity prices are typically at their highest. Many utilities now offer Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing, where electricity is more expensive during peak hours.

Home energy storage allows you to store energy when it’s cheap and use it during expensive peak hours. If you are relying on energy that is needed during peak demand hours, saved solar energy can help reduce peak electricity demand, which can lower the overall cost of electricity generation and distribution. Ultimately, instead of exporting excess solar power back to the grid at a lower rate, you can store it and use it later, increasing your self-consumption and savings.

By using solar energy combined with energy storage, we can all do our part to ensure grid stability. Distributed solar generation can enhance the stability of the electrical grid by reducing the strain on centralized power plants and minimizing transmission and distribution losses. This can improve energy security.

Depending on the setup, home energy storage units can provide grid support services, such as frequency regulation and peak demand reduction, which can be financially rewarding in some regions through programs like grid participation incentives. Home energy storage can provide backup power during grid outages, ensuring that critical appliances and systems remain operational, and enhance your household’s resilience.

Beyond your household, solar energy combined with energy storage also can help the economy. The solar energy industry creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, contributing to economic growth. Solar power allows individuals and businesses to reduce their dependence on grid electricity, especially in remote or off-grid areas, increasing energy self-sufficiency. Solar installations can be customized to meet various energy needs, from small-scale residential systems to large utility-scale solar farms, making them adaptable to a wide range of applications.

Solar power generation produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants, helping to reduce the environmental impact of energy production and combat climate change. Using stored solar energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to a cleaner environment by decreasing the need for fossil fuels in electricity generation. When you deploy solar power at home, you help raise awareness about environmental issues and the importance of sustainable energy sources, contributing to a more environmentally conscious society.

While solar energy has numerous benefits, it’s important to consider factors such as location, upfront costs, and the intermittent nature of sunlight when deciding whether to invest in solar power. The availability and efficiency of solar energy systems can vary depending on geographic location and local climate conditions.

Wherever you live, solar energy can provide electricity to remote or underserved areas where traditional grid infrastructure is not cost-effective to deploy, improving energy access and living standards. By storing excess energy generated from your solar panels during the day, you can become less reliant on the grid, reducing your reliance on traditional fossil fuels. For those in remote areas or seeking to live off-grid, home energy storage combined with solar power can provide a reliable and sustainable source of electricity.

SolarTech is a premier, licensed solar provider for California & Arizona, and an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau. We’ve been providing turnkey solar solutions for residential, commercial, and non-profit customers for over 20 years.

Whether we’re installing a residential solar system or a large multi-array commercial solar project, our mission is to inform our customers so they can make the best economic decisions for their energy lifestyle, lower their utility costs, and make a commitment to a better future with clean energy.