(Newswire.net — January 27, 2023) — Solar power systems can be an excellent way to provide your home with free, renewable, environmentally friendly electricity. However, the sun isn’t always shining. Every night and on any day that it’s cloudy, you’ll lose solar power. This is why it’s important for solar power users to have a secondary energy source. But which backup power sources are best? Keep reading to learn the top 3 options for solar users.
The Grid
Having a solar power system doesn’t mean you have to give up grid-supplied power completely. In fact, the majority of solar power systems nowadays are still connected to the grid. These types of systems are called grid-tied systems, and they switch to using grid power any time solar is unavailable. Because these system designs don’t require you to purchase your own backup power source, you can save a large amount of money on your system installation. However, keep in mind that you’ll still get an electricity bill every month since you’re still using grid power daily. If your city allows for net metering, you may be able to shave off more of that power bill by selling excess solar power back to the grid.
A Generator
While not an ideal backup power source, generators are excellent to have in an emergency situation. They use a different source of fuel—usually diesel or propane—so they can be powered at any time, regardless of the weather, so long as you have some of that fuel on hand. Generators can be noisy, however, and you can end up spending a decent amount on fuel every month if you’re using that generator on a nightly basis.
A Battery Bank
For solar users who don’t want to rely on the grid, a solar battery bank is usually one of the best options for backup power. Battery banks allow you to store excess power that your solar panels generate during the day so that you can use it later after the sun has gone down. While they have a high upfront cost, there are no maintenance fees and very few maintenance tasks associated with having a solar battery bank. Battery systems will provide you with effortless backup power every time solar is unavailable and will continue doing so for years without any effort from you. Battery banks can be used for off-grid solar power systems or can be added to a system that’s connected to the grid, providing another source of backup power that reduces your dependence on grid power and can all but eliminate your electricity bill.