Discover the benefits of pairing smart technology with renewable energy and how it can enhance energy savings and convenience for UK homeowners.
Curious about how solar panels and batteries work as a team? This article explains the process of generating, storing, and using solar energy at home. Learn how these systems work together seamlessly to reduce energy bills, increase efficiency, and future-proof your energy supply.
Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are the heart of a solar energy system. They capture sunlight and convert it into electricity that you can use to power your home. This process begins when sunlight hits the solar cells on your panels. Each cell contains layers of silicon, a material that reacts to light by releasing electrons, creating an electric current.
The electricity generated is in the form of direct current (DC). However, most household appliances use alternating current (AC). To make this energy usable, an inverter converts the DC electricity into AC electricity, which can then be used to power lights, appliances, and other devices in your home.
On sunny days, solar panels often produce more electricity than your household needs. Without a battery, this excess energy would be exported back to the grid, where you receive a small payment for it through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). While exporting energy provides some benefit, storing it allows you to make much better use of the energy you produce.
A solar battery storage system complements your solar panels by capturing the energy you don’t immediately use. Instead of sending excess electricity back to the grid, a battery stores it for later use – at night, on cloudy days, or during peak demand times when grid electricity is most expensive.
The process is simple. During daylight hours, when your panels are generating energy, the system prioritises powering your home’s immediate needs. Any surplus energy is then directed to charge the battery. Once the battery is full, any further excess energy can be exported to the grid, ensuring nothing is wasted.
At night, or when your energy demand exceeds what the panels can produce, the battery discharges stored energy to keep your home running. This reduces the need to draw power from the grid, lowering your energy bills and increasing your energy independence.
For example, during winter evenings when energy demand and grid prices typically spike, your battery can supply power, shielding you from higher tariffs. This ability to store and use energy at your convenience makes solar and battery systems a highly efficient and cost-effective combination.
Together, solar panels and batteries optimise your energy usage in a way that standalone systems cannot. Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy during the day, while the battery ensures that none of this energy goes to waste. By storing excess power, you can use solar energy whenever it’s most beneficial, such as at night or during peak grid pricing periods.
Here’s how the two systems work in harmony:
This seamless interaction between solar panels and batteries ensures that you get the most out of your renewable energy system. By reducing grid reliance, homeowners can cut their electricity bills by up to 70%, depending on their energy usage and system size.
Imagine a typical day in a home equipped with solar panels and a battery system:
In the morning, as the sun rises, the solar panels begin generating electricity. This energy powers morning routines like boiling the kettle, charging devices, and running the dishwasher.
Around midday, energy production peaks as sunlight is strongest. The panels generate more energy than the household consumes, and the excess is stored in the battery.
In the evening, as the sun sets and production slows, the battery takes over, supplying stored energy to power lights, cooking appliances, and entertainment systems.
At night the battery continues to discharge stored energy, reducing or eliminating the need to pull power from the grid.
On particularly sunny days, there may still be surplus energy after the battery is fully charged. This energy is exported back to the grid, earning the homeowner payments under the SEG scheme.
Investing in solar panels and battery storage provides a host of long-term benefits for homeowners. The most immediate advantage is lower energy bills, as you rely more on self-generated electricity and less on expensive grid power. Over time, these savings can amount to thousands of pounds, helping you recoup your initial investment within 6 to 10 years.
Beyond financial savings, the combination of solar panels and batteries offers energy security. By reducing your dependence on the grid, you protect yourself from energy price shocks and supply disruptions. If you experience power outages, certain battery systems can even provide backup energy to keep essential devices running.
There are also significant environmental benefits. Solar energy is clean, renewable, and sustainable, helping to reduce your household’s carbon footprint. By maximising your use of solar power with a battery, you minimise reliance on fossil-fuel-generated electricity, contributing to a greener, more sustainable energy future.
Switching to a solar and battery setup has never been easier. With transparent pricing, expert installation, and long-term savings, a solar system from Volt Renewables is a smart investment in your home’s future.
Get your personalised quote today – no pressure, just clear, honest pricing tailored to your energy needs.
Discover the benefits of pairing smart technology with renewable energy and how it can enhance energy savings and convenience for UK homeowners.
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