Many supporters of renewable energy, solar power especially, often ask whether or not a battery backup is a viable option for their system. In many states, extreme weather conditions cause residents to fear the likelihood of their power being shut off. For instance, power outages caused by recent fires or fire threats in the areas surrounding Bakersfield, CA have left thousands of residents without backup energy. Home generators, such as the popular Generac brand, only last so long and require gas and manpower to keep them running. Solar battery backup is a safer alternative that can help your family or business in an emergency situation. There is no need to travel outside your home in severe weather in order to maintain the system, it simply turns on and off by itself.
BATTERY BACKUP – WHAT’S THE BEST OPTION FOR YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM?
How does it work?
In a typical grid-tied system, when sunlight produces extra energy during the day, it feeds back to the grid in exchange for credits. These credits are then used to power your home. If there is an excess of credits towards the end of the billing cycle, the power company will then pay the producer (homeowner) for extra energy produced by their solar system.
In a battery backup system, when sunlight produces extra energy, it is converted by the battery inverter then stored in the battery for later use. There’s no feeding it back to the grid, no exchange of credits, just simple energy storage for you and your family. In an emergency situation, users can have a sense of ease knowing their battery is constantly being recharged. Most manufacturers make these batteries with software that is viewed by your smartphone, so you can see the charging status of your battery.
Choosing Local, Affordable Solar
There are several top brand solar and solar battery options available today:
- LG Chem: Top rated, popular, and one of the most widely used battery options available. The popularity is due to LG Chem’s quality and compatibility with a huge range of home energy storage (hybrid) inverters including the SolarEdge optimizer system. Available in three main sizes 6.5kWh, 10kWh, and 13kWh, the RESU range is also one of the most affordable and reliable battery systems on the market. Read the full LG Chem RESU review.
- Sonnen: The Sonnen ‘ECO’ system is much like the Tesla Powerwall 2 in that it has a built-in power inverter. However, unlike the Powerwall 2, which is only available in one size, storage capacity starts at 5 kWh (2 x modules) and goes up to 15 kWh maximum. The Sonnen ECO is a great retrofit option for homes with an existing solar system. The modules use Lithium Ferro phosphate cells (LFP) manufactured by Sony, some of the longest-lasting cells backed by a 10-year warranty. Read the full Sonnen ‘ECO’ review.
Other Notable Brands in Solar
Enphase microinverters are a popular alternative to traditional string inverters, used in over half of all solar installations across North America. These systems offer greater reliability by eliminating a single point of failure, making them ideal for large-scale solar setups. As demand grows for more resilient and flexible solar technologies, Enphase continues to be a trusted choice for homeowners and businesses looking to maximize their energy independence.
With the rising interest in energy storage, more systems are now being paired with batteries—projected to exceed 25% of all behind-the-meter solar installations by 2025, up from less than 5% in 2019. Homeowners can choose a full battery system or a “battery ready” setup with a hybrid inverter, which allows for easier upgrades later but comes at a higher cost. Local experts like Sun Peak Solar in Bakersfield can guide residents through these options, helping them transition away from PG&E and take advantage of incentives like the Federal Solar Tax Credit before reductions take effect.
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