Powering Through: Why Solar Panels Alone Aren't Enough for Energy Independence

The Promise – and Limitations – of Solar Energy

Solar panels have become very popular as a supplemental energy source for various reasons. For many, adopting a clean, renewable energy source helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels. For others, government and utility subsidies provide a powerful incentive to make the necessary up-front investment. And for those in areas where the energy grid might be unstable in weather events or high-usage times, solar provides an effective backup. But if you're thinking that solar power is your gateway to energy independence, solar panel systems alone may not be enough. Here's why.

Solar's Achilles Heel

Part of the beauty of your solar system is the ability to feed unused power back to the grid and get paid for it. But what happens during a power outage? Did you know that grid-tied solar systems shut off during outages? This is a safety measure to protect utility company workers that may be repairing systems. Unfortunately, despite a roof covered in solar panels, you're still left in the dark.

Of course, there's the weather. Even in California, the sun doesn't shine nonstop. Clouds, wildfire smoke, seasonal sun patterns, and nighttime all affect solar power production. All this means that solar power may not be available when you need it. 

Storing Energy

Let's say you have an electric vehicle (EV), and it happens to run on solar (bear with us here). Imagine how far your EV would get on a cloudy day. Of course, all EVs store energy in a battery so that they can operate regardless of the conditions. For similar reasons, your home needs an energy storage solution for true energy independence. When the grid falters, whether for weather or another reason, your home can utilize that excess energy stored in a battery system to run essential functions. With smart automation, you can even intelligently allocate stored battery power at different times. Smart battery systems also let you optimize energy use, helping to maximize solar energy use and take advantage of time-of-sue energy rates. For example, gird energy is cheapest overnight when demand is lowest.

Real-World benefits

Combining solar panels and battery storage lets homeowners fully leverage the power of solar energy. Battery storage lets your home stay powered longer during outages and reduces the reliance on grid power, shielding you from volatile energy prices and making your home more resilient to energy supply issues. From an environmental standpoint, battery storage lets you maximize renewable energy usage. Thinking about it more globally, your ability to draw on stored clean energy also reduces the need to fire up peak energy power plants that may be less environmentally friendly in periods of high demand. Finally, if you drive an EV, with your own backup power source, you won't have to worry about range anxiety when grid power is out.

The Future of Home Energy

As we move towards a more distributed and resilient energy future, the synergy between solar panels and battery storage becomes increasingly clear. It's not just about clean energy; it's about having control over that energy. While solar panels are an excellent start, pairing them with a battery storage system takes energy independence to the next level. It's a win-win solution that benefits you and contributes to a more stable and sustainable energy grid for everyone.

Are you ready to take control of your energy future? Consider how a combined solar and battery storage system could take your home down the path to energy independence. To learn more, please reach out to us here or click on the chat box below. We'd love to hear from you.