Solar Energy Storage for Improved Solar Returns and Household Energy Management

Home energy management · Nov 1, 2022

Solar energy represents one of the cleanest and greenest forms of energy available today, but it has one major limitation -- it can only produce electricity when the sun is shining.

Solar panels usually pump out enough energy to meet demands for the entire day and more but require efficient solar energy storage systems in order to have that energy available around the clock. In this article, we take you through why storing solar energy is so important and highlight how solar energy is efficiently stored.

Storing Solar Energy

One of the simplest methods of storing energy, something everyone knows, is batteries. However, accessing that energy, and balancing it with solar, the grid, and even generators, involves more than simply loading batteries. A whole-home energy management system organizes the power sources to provide consistent, reliable power to homes. 

Battery Storage

Battery storage systems come in two primary flavors, AC and DC. Solar energy is produced as direct current, so installing a DC battery directly into the solar installation is very simple. The problem with that is homes run on AC, alternating current. Inverters are needed to convert the DC to AC power for consumption.

Because solar systems come with inverters, and so multiple energy sources can be more easily combined, modern home energy management systems are AC-coupled. Batteries, such as the FranklinWH aPower, are AC-coupled, with their own inverters. The core Franklin Home Power system then connects solar, the grid, and even generators with battery storage to aid homeowners.

Because of the usefulness of energy storage, the market in America is expected to reach.

Advantages of Solar Energy Storage 

One of the results of adding a home energy management system with battery storage is to lower the energy loss from your solar investment. No longer is the excess generated energy lost. Solar production for household needs can be stored in batteries and then used at night or when the weather means the solar panels aren’t optimally producing energy.

The batteries can also be used to load-shift, to use the saved solar energy during peak-demand times (usually afternoons and evenings), and to minimize grid usage at that time.

To recap, A home energy management system with battery storage enhances solar installations in many ways. Homeowners can:

  1. Gain control of how and when you use energy by storing excess solar production. 
  2. Gain autonomy for your energy usage, especially if you live in an area where the grid is unstable. Energy storage systems ensure you have power around the clock. 
  3. Reduce your carbon footprint as solar energy storage better utilizes your solar investment by replacing grid power during more of your day. 
  4. Reduce energy bills by leveraging solar-generated energy instead of grid energy during peak-demand times.

Intelligent home energy management and efficient energy storage are keys to a sustainable future.

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