Every day, homeowners look for new ways to save money on energy bills as the oppressive summer heat threatens to keep them skyrocketing. It’s interesting that solar panels, a mid-19th-century technology, can provide a 21st-century answer. By harnessing the sun’s energy, solar panels can reduce energy costs and potentially mitigate climate change.
Keep reading for more information about how solar panels, batteries, and inverters can help you save money and keep your home cool throughout the summer.
How Solar Panels Beat the Summer Heat
Reducing Energy Costs
Installing solar panels has the obvious advantage of drastically lowering energy expenses. Air conditioning and refrigeration use a lot of energy in the summer, which raises power costs. However, your home can produce its own electricity with solar panels installed, significantly reducing expenditures.
Additionally, if your solar power system is large enough to produce more electricity than you require, you can sell any extra energy you generate back to the grid. This so-called “net metering” technique might potentially be profitable. As a result, installing solar panels becomes not just a great way to reduce your household’s summertime energy costs but also a source of nominal additional income.
However, solar panels go beyond just reducing electricity costs. You can also use them to power air conditioning units, which is directly beneficial during the toasty summer months.
Powering Air Conditioning Units
By converting sunlight into DC electricity, you can use the energy the solar panels produce to power your air conditioner. This attribute is where your secondary equipment — solar panel inverter and solar panel batteries — comes into play.
An integral part of this process is the solar panel inverter. It transforms the DC power generated by the solar panels into AC electricity, which your home appliances, including air conditioners, require for proper functioning. There are three primary types of solar inverters:
- String (or centralised) Inverter- String inverters are frequently used and form the majority of inverters in the market. In a string inverter setup, your solar panels are linked in a series, creating a “string”. They’re typically a cost-effective option, especially for larger installations.
- Microinverters- These are small, individual inverters installed on each solar panel. Unlike string inverters that convert power from multiple panels, microinverters deal with power from a single panel, allowing each one to operate independently. This setup can result in better system performance, especially in shaded conditions.
- Hybrid Optimisers- Hybrid optimisers feature a hybrid design combining the functionalities of both string and microinverters. Each solar panel has a power optimiser that “conditions” the DC power, adjusting the voltage and current for maximum efficiency. The optimised power then goes to a centralised string inverter for conversion.
Selecting a suitable solar inverter depends on various factors, such as your objectives for solar power and the grid’s availability in your area, among other considerations.
Storing Energy with Solar Panel Battery
The solar panel battery stores the energy produced by the solar panels. This way, the energy stored can still power your home even when the sun isn’t shining, for example, evenings and periods of heavy cloud cover.
By storing excess power in these batteries, solar panels can ensure your house stays cool, even at night when the panels aren’t actively generating electricity. This function is particularly beneficial during summer nights, which sometimes remain unusually warm.
Please note: You can considerably increase your solar energy system’s efficiency and dependability by selecting the best solar battery for your requirements. The following factors should be taken into account when choosing a solar battery:
1. Identify Your Energy Goals
The first step is to establish your energy goals. Doing so will help you determine the function(s) you want your solar battery to perform. For example, suppose your primary goal is to maintain power during grid outages. In that case, you will look for a solar battery with significant capacity and power to support your essential electrical systems.
2. Evaluate Your Energy Usage
The size of the solar battery you need heavily depends on your home’s energy use. To accurately quantify this, you should consider the energy consumption of your appliances and usage patterns. Understanding your energy needs can guide your decision on the battery size that will adequately meet this requirement.
3. Battery Type and Lifespan
Lead acid, lithium-ion, and saltwater are the three primary types of solar batteries; each has pros and cons that vary with respect to price, longevity, and efficiency. For instance, while lithium-ion batteries are initially more expensive, they typically last longer and are more efficient.
4. Scalability and Modularity
The ability to add more batteries to your energy storage system over time can be a considerable advantage. Some batteries allow for expansion or have modular designs, bringing versatility if your energy needs increase in the future.
5. Warranty and Manufacturer Reputation
Finally, consider the battery’s warranty and its manufacturer’s reputation. Batteries with lengthy warranties and positive manufacturer reputations are generally more reliable and offer greater peace of mind.
The Environmental Impact
Aside from the direct effects on your energy bills and the temperature of your home, using solar panels to beat the summer heat has beneficial impacts on the environment. When solar panels generate energy, no glasshouse gases are released. Thus, by switching to solar electricity, you’re not just saving money and keeping your house cool—you’re also helping the environment. Win-win-win all around!
Final Thoughts
It’s worth investing in a high-quality solar panel system and pairing it with a reliable inverter and battery to reap the full benefits of solar power. This combination guarantees that the energy captured during the peak sunshine hours can be efficiently converted and stored for use when necessary.
Solar energy is a power source that is available right now, not just in the future. And now that it’s almost summertime, it might be the perfect moment to contact your local solar installation expert for in-depth advice about putting together your ideal solar panel system. So, stay cool and save – embrace the power of the sun with solar panels!
Read Also:
Solar Batteries vs. Grid Dependence
3 Important Tips for Choosing a Solar Panel and Battery System
