More and more people are deciding to take advantage of Texas solar tax credits. But when they do use Texas solar, should they also combine battery storage for it? The evidence tends to point toward “Yes.” Here’s why:
It’s Very Useful During an Extended Blackout
Solar is great, since you can still have power if the grid goes out. If that outage continues, though, then you need to have something to keep it going. Some people may have to get back-up generators. If you have battery storage, though, you can get continued power even if the solar panels have run out.
You Need It On Cloudy Days or at Night
When it’s sunny out during the day, you’ll get your power needs from your solar panels. It’s when it’s cloudy or nighttime that you’re going to need something else to be able to keep the lights on and things running. That’s where the battery storage comes in. It takes the excess energy that the solar stores during the day and uses it when needed. This can even possibly help you live off-grid.
You Can Save Money
One of the main reasons that people like to go solar is that they could wind up saving 95% off their utility bill. That’s a pretty sizable amount. The battery storage can keep them from having to go back on the grid at night when the sun goes down. Just the thought of seeing a much lower dollar figure on their energy bill is enough to make them want to call their local solar company and get installation quotes.
Other Things To Consider
There are some things to consider. Mainly, if you pay less for solar battery storage than you would if you use the grid at night. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of battery either. Most people tend to choose either lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion ones. Nickel-cadmium and flow batteries tend to not be ideal for people’s homes since they are larger and also much more expensive. You might need multiple batteries, depending on your situation.
So, when you’re doing your research, see what it says about things like battery life, what kind of depth of discharge it has, and how efficient it is. You might want to buy a more expensive battery storage option, which might hurt your wallet in the short run but save you a lot in the long run with how it is able to operate. It will keep you from having to make constant battery changes, though you will have to do maintenance on them. There also has to be a dedicated space for the battery to be set up.
Ultimately, you will see that the pros for doing this far outweigh any cons. You will have the security of knowing that you will be able to have power if there is an outage, which is very important during the times of extreme weather in Texas. It can also help you save money on your bills. Instead, you can then use those savings for many other areas of your life. That will make it all worth it for you and your family.
