Tips For Choosing Your Solar Power Conversion Needs
When you're looking to convert your property to solar power, one of the things you need to determine is how much power storage you need. The right storage system is important, because your solar panels are likely to draw in more power than you're going to use, and you need to be sure that you have that excess in accessible reserves for those stretches of time when the solar draw isn't at its peak. Here are a few things you should consider as you are evaluating your options.
Do You Want Completely Independent Energy?
If you want your home to be completely independent of the electrical grid, you'll need to invest in several solar panels along with batteries that will hold enough to power your home for several days. This is important, because you won't have the grid to fall back on if you face a stretch of poor weather. Make sure you have room for plenty of solar panels and have your electrician do an energy audit to determine how much power you'll need in reserve before you consider a completely off-grid setup.
Is It Easier To Just Have Seasonal Independence?
If you're thinking about seasonal independence so that you're not completely off the grid, there are two different ways to do it. You can opt for enough panels to help you get through winter days without using the electrical grid or you can choose energy independence in the summer instead. If your goal is to be self-sufficient in the winter, you'll need to have the electrical grid as a safety net for heavy storm periods. Then, while you're using the power grid through the summer, your panels will be charging and you can sell that energy back to the local utility company. For independence in the summer instead, you can usually use fewer panels because you'll have more sunlight.
Are You Looking To Ease Peak Time Demands?
Some utility services charge a premium for peak time usage. They identify high-demand times and increase the rates for those times. If your utility company does this, you can install solar panels that will cover your power usage during those times. Your electrical contractor can evaluate your home's power consumption to help you determine how many panels it would require, and you can add a battery system to store any excess. Even if you can't afford a system that completely offsets your usage, minimizing your grid usage during those periods will help save you money.
Would You Prefer An Emergency System?
For some, the idea of going completely solar is tempting, but they'd prefer to just have a safety net for power outages and other emergencies. If you'd rather ditch the generator and use solar energy for your alternative power, you can install solar panels with a battery storage system that keeps consistent power for you to use in emergencies. Any excess power can be sold back to the utility company, saving you money on your monthly utility costs.
For more information, talk to a professional like Williams Electric Supply.