Most solar power systems are installed so they are directly connected to the local electrical grid. The electricity produced by the solar panels is always first used to power the home, but any excess power, unless stored, always flows out into the grid.
The only problem with this type of setup is that it means your solar system will automatically shut off and stop producing power if there is a power outage. This is actually a legal requirement in place for safety reasons. If your solar panel system continued producing electricity during the outage, the excess power would still flow back into the grid.
This would be extremely dangerous as it could electrocute the utility workers trying to fix the power lines and get the grid working again. The good news is that there is a way you can get around this and ensure your solar panel system keeps powering your home during a outage.
How Battery Storage Can Keep Your Home Powered in a Blackout
If you want to ensure that your solar panels can keep powering your home during a blackout, your best option is to install solar battery storage. Battery storage systems store the excess power your panels produce during the day, so it can be used either at night when panels aren’t producing or in the event of a power outage.
Battery storage systems can also help save you more on your electricity bills. With the ability to use stored power when your panels aren’t producing, you’ll lessen the amount of energy you need to purchase from your electricity provider even more than with solar panels alone.
Why the Tesla Powerwall Is a Great Choice for Solar Battery Storage
At GVEC Solar Services, we install Tesla Powerwall battery storage units. The Powerwall is one of the best battery storage options currently available. It’s durable and compact, and it has more storage capacity than some of the other options on the market.
Each Powerwall is only 30 inches wide, 46 inches tall, and six inches deep, allowing it to easily be installed anywhere inside or outside your home without taking up much space. You can choose to mount it on the floor or hang it on the wall, and the units can also be stacked three deep, so you can easily increase your storage capacity even if space is limited.
Each Powerwall battery pack has 2,170 cells and can store 13.5 kWh of electricity, making it the one of the most efficient and highest-capacity storage system money can buy. Powerwall battery packs also come with an unlimited 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Powerwall also connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network so you can use the associated app to monitor your home’s energy usage and see how much power your solar panels are generating in real time. The app will also tell you how much power you’re using from the grid, which can be useful for ensuring you’re getting the most out of your solar and battery storage systems.
Another useful thing about Powerwall is the Storm Watch feature. This feature constantly monitors weather alerts and forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), so it can detect when major storms that could lead to a power outage are in the area.
If an outage is likely, the Powerwall will automatically switch over to backup mode so that it uses 100% of the power from your solar system to charge the battery bank. This can be extremely useful as it will ensure the battery bank has more charge so your solar system can continue powering your home for much longer.
GVEC Solar Services is your best choice for solar panels and battery storage systems in South Central Texas. We also offer and install Enphase battery options as well. We have offices in Gonzales, Schertz, Seguin, La Vernia, and Cuero, and we serve all surrounding areas. Our team specializes in designing and installing residential solar panel systems, and we also offer professional solar panel repair. For more information on the benefits of installing a Tesla Powerwall or Enphase battery backup in your home, give us a call today.
