One of the most common questions we get as a Charlotte, NC solar company is, “Should I get a battery with my solar system?” At PES Solar, we’d love to answer a simple yes or no. However, it honestly depends on your particular situation and budget.
For instance, if you have a low-energy consumption household that uses solar power as an added energy source, it may be simpler to remain on-grid and take advantage of net metering to save money on your power bill. However, if you’re determined to go completely off-grid, solar battery storage becomes much more critical.
Reasons to Install a Battery
Emergency Backup Power
Some grid-tied solar installations may not work during a grid outage since the outage affects all homes in an area, regardless of their power source. If you live in an area with an unreliable electrical grid, a battery is an excellent source of backup power during a blackout.
Going Completely Off-Grid
Having a battery is essential to completely remove yourself from the grid or simply have a home in an area without grid access. It will store any excess power and deliver it when necessary, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted power regardless of external factors.
Consumption Optimization
Both commercial and residential properties can save money by managing their energy consumption. A battery means avoiding higher grid rates during peak hours by using stored solar power and taking advantage of the grid during low-cost periods.
Disadvantages of Installing a Battery
The install costs of a battery can be intimidating. In some cases, the battery can cost more than the solar panel installation, especially for high-consumption buildings requiring a lot of solar battery storage.
In general, adding a battery can increase your install costs by up to $10,000, and you may not be able to recoup that cost within the lifespan of your system.
In good news, battery prices have been steadily dropping while batteries have gotten more effective at storing energy. While we don’t know what the future holds, this downward trend will likely continue as battery technology advances. If you’re patient, you may eventually get a great deal that fits your budget.
Incentives
The biggest solar energy incentive, the federal investment tax credit (FITC), allows homeowners to claim up to 26% of their solar power install costs as a tax credit. Most significantly, the FITC includes the cost of a battery, meaning that while the FITC is offered, you can save up to 26% on your battery.
There is no right or wrong answer to the question, “Should I get a battery with my solar system?” If you’re content operating solar panels without batteries, it may be better to wait until prices drop further.
Quit guessing. Discuss your options with us. Contact our team at PES Solar, and we will help you assess your situation and give you a solid answer.
Call us at (800) 650-6519 to schedule a consultation today!
