Not many people are still asking themselves “are solar panels worth it?”. This green energy source has proven its worth throughout the years, and the solar market in California is exploding. The reasons for the rapid growth are many: New solar homes are being built all over the state as a result of the new solar mandate, PG&E’s Planned Safety Power shutoffs are becoming an increasing risk in an attempt to minimize natural disasters like wildfires – and more people are ‘going green’ to take the pressure off the planet’s resources.
Especially the potential power cut-offs in California acts as a motivator for homeowners to not only go solar but to invest in home battery storage as well – to make sure they always back-up power.
“We’re seeing a noticeable rise in inquiries from homeowners who are either considering buying solar panels and want the whole package, or who want to add a backup solution to their existing solar power system”, says VP of marketing at Solar Optimum, Rainier de Ocampo. He continues: “It’s a smart move to add battery storage to your solar panel investment because it will save you more money in the long run and provide you with energy peace of mind in the case of an outage”.
A backup battery is a better investment than expected
In 2016, a family in Australia was the first in the world to have a Tesla Powerwall battery installed to go with their residential solar panels. When the storage solution was installed, it was estimated that it would pay for itself in 20 years. Now – four years later – the estimated timeframe has been cut down to nearly a third, making the battery an even better investment than originally anticipated.
“These results are great news for everyone, especially here in California”, says Rainier de Ocampo. “Not only for homeowners who want to save money on their electricity bills but for the environment too. The more people who get battery storage, the more household carbon emissions we can reduce – so the fact that the battery is even more efficient than they estimated is great news for those homeowners – and for the planet. Now it’s up to the solar panel companies in California to keep up”.
How exactly does a home battery work?
When your solar system produces more energy than you use, the extra energy gets stored in the battery instead of going back to the grid. That means you have access to this surplus power when you need it the most. A home battery is very useful as an emergency backup – for example in the case of a power outage. It also provides you with solar power at night when your panels are not getting any sun. Combining a home battery with your solar system increases the efficiency of your solar system and significantly reduces your reliance on the grid – and it can turn your home into a zero-emissions home.
