Solar and Battery Storage. The New Norm.
In the last month or so, we’ve seen an increase in interest for residential battery storage. There are several reasons for that. First and foremost, our energy rates keep increasing. Peak demand rates are hovering in the 40¢ range. Second, battery storage is now affordable and reliable. It is an investment in energy security that pays for itself.
The deregulation of Diablo Canyon will certainly increase the need to bring more energy online, including solar. All of that additional solar capacity will necessitate storage.
Why is battery storage so important? Simple. At some point in the near future, we will be able to generate more energy than we need from solar energy systems during the day. But at night, we will still need utility-supplied energy. Unless we are able to store excess solar generated energy during the day for use at night.
As a homeowner, battery storage gives you more control of your energy use and costs, especially if you have solar. With solar plus battery storage, you are that much closer to being truly energy independent. Plus, you have back-up power in the event that grid power fails.
For a homeowner who does not have solar, the battery saves money by peak shaving. The battery is charged via grid-supplied energy when energy rates are lowest, and then drawn from when energy rates are highest. The result keeps the homeowner in a lower tier of energy rates.
Our estimate is that every new solar install will come with battery storage beginning in early 2018. Currently we are taking reservations for the Tesla Powerwall as we recently became Certified Installers for the Tesla Powerwall. Some state rebates are also still available. Call Solarponics at (805) 466-5595 for more information.