EVOLUTION OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR: A MOVE TO SELF CONSUMPTION
For the last ten years or so, grid-connected solar panels have been well-known. Grid-connected systems are easier to install as the consumer first utilizes the energy generated inside the home. Then, any excess energy is redirected into the grid. The electric utility reimburses the customer by their solar interconnection customers. In areas where net metering is in place, battery backup solutions only offer power in emergencies.
However, certain utilities are restricting net metering and giving customers less energy sent back to the grid than grid energy.
If you are a homeowner who wants to stay out of this scenario, the answer is self-consumption solar. Instead of returning energy to the grid in this model, you can keep the point in a battery and use it in the evening. The following graph shows how traditional homes use energy.
HOW DO SOLAR BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS WORK?
A battery is essentially one of the energy storage devices installed to store the excess energy generated by solar PV panels during the day and conserve it in the evening OR during an outage. Most battery solutions for homes today come with a capacity of about 9.8 kWh. Based on the connected load, they can last from a few hours to a few days if it’s clear and sunny. Recharging may be required.
Some great battery manufacturers today provide their customers with great websites to view their home consumption graphs and provide a 360-degree view that will help you manage your electricity. Enphase Energy, Sonnen Batterie , LG Chem with SolarEdge and many more. They provide great features that allow you to add self-consumption into your solar PV system.