Everything you need to understand about solar batteries

When you are looking to install a solar energy system there is always the option to add a solar battery. It can look like an expensive addition to a system, but there are many benefits including saving more money on your energy bills and having back-up energy to use in a power cut. Here’s a bit more on the benefits of having a battery installed.

How a battery works with a solar energy system

When energy is being generated from the solar panels, it’s first used to power anything that is needed in your home. If there is nothing to power or anywhere to store the energy, then the excess solar energy will be exported to the grid.

When you have a battery installed, rather than exporting the energy, the battery stores the energy for the home to use later. A battery can also be programmed to sell this stored energy when you earn the most. These high pricing periods are referred to as a peak price. During peak times with our ecoSOLAR plan, you will be paid 21c/kWh (plus lines and network charges and GST), compared to an off-peak export rate of 16c/kWh (plus lines and network charges and GST).

Storing cheaper energy

A battery can be programmed to store energy from the grid to use to power your home when the sun isn’t shining. Usually, energy is most expensive during peak times – typically from 7-11am or 5-9pm when demand for energy is highest. With our ecoSOLAR plan, we offer a flat rate for any imported energy – 16c/kWh (plus lines and network charges and GST) so you can make the most of cheaper energy all day long.

Homes that can make the most of battery storage

A battery is perfect for a home where there isn’t anyone at home during the day to use the solar being generated. To make the most savings from your system, use as much of the solar energy as you can from the system to power your home first. A battery will allow you to store this energy to use in the evening when you are at home.

If you are in an area prone to power cuts, a battery will also allow you to enjoy the benefit of back-up energy. A solar battery will normally keep a percentage of power stored to be used in a power cut. You can ask your electrician to increase how much energy is reserved for your home to use as back up. When there is a power cut, a battery will continue to power some of the key circuits in your home so you can keep things like your Wi-Fi router and kitchen lights powered. Your solar installer will talk you through what is programmed to continue to be powered during a power cut.

How does a battery and an energy plan work together?

Having a battery means you can control when you import and export energy. This means you are able to access a Time of Use plan. This means you pay different rates for the energy that you export and import, to and from the grid, depending on the time of day and whether it’s in a peak or off-peak pricing period. To make the most of these rates, you want to first store any excess solar energy in your battery to use during peak times. If you have more energy than you need during peak times, then you’ll want to export energy as this is when you will get paid the most. When you choose us as your power provider, these exports will appear on your power bill as a credit. Here’s what a typical day looks like with Time of Use rates when you power your home with our ecoSOLAR plan:

To get in touch with your local solar installer click here. Or to learn more about our solar plans click here.