Are Solar Batteries Worth it?

Solar batteries are one of the most effective ways to take your solar panel system to the next level, allowing you to store excess power and keep your home or business powered by solar even when the sun isn’t shining.

However, if you’ve done any research into solar batteries you’ll know they don’t always come cheap. So the question is, are they worth it? In this article, we’ll quickly recap what solar batteries do and why they’re so useful, and then try to help you decide if they’re a worthy investment for you.

What are Solar Batteries?

Solar batteries allow you to store the excess energy your solar panels produce. When the sun is shining, it produces enormous amounts of solar energy, and a typical solar panel system is able to capture much more energy than is needed at that moment.

When the sun isn’t shining, however (like at night) your panels won’t produce any energy at all. Solar batteries help break this feast-or-famine cycle by allowing you to store leftover energy during sunny periods and use it when your panels aren’t getting any light.

This helps you become more self-sufficient with your energy and rely less on the grid, which can save considerable amounts of money over time.

Are Solar Batteries Worth It?

Solar batteries can be extremely useful, but they’re not always worth the cost. Let’s take a look at some scenarios where batteries might be worth it, and some where they might not.

When Solar Batteries are Worth It

• If your area experiences frequent power outages. If you often lose access to the traditional energy grid, solar batteries are a great way to ensure a constant flow of electricity into your home, even at night.
• If your goal is to go off-grid. Many people wish to minimise their dependence on the energy grid in their region and become fully self-sustaining when it comes to energy. If this is your goal, batteries are really the only way to achieve it with solar.
• If the environment is a key concern for you. Solar batteries allow you to minimise your reliance on fossil fuels from your region’s energy grid, making them a great choice for eco-friendly households.
• If there are battery incentives available in your area. Some regions offer rebates and other incentives for installing solar batteries, which offset some of the costs.

When are Solar Batteries Not Worth It?

We’ve covered a few different scenarios where solar batteries may be an excellent choice for you. If one or more of the above points apply to you, then it may well be worth paying the upfront cost for battery installation.

However, batteries are not cheap. If the above points don’t matter so much to you, it may not be worth paying for a battery. If your only motivation for buying a solar battery is to save money, it might not be the best decision.

This is especially true if you live in a region that offers feed-in tariffs, like Queensland. This is where the government rewards you financially when you return excess solar energy to the regional grid. This can amount to a similar saving as a solar battery would provide, without the large installation costs.

Work With The Experts

Installing a solar battery is a big decision that is best made with the help of professionals. At SnapSolar we help households and businesses in Mackay and the surrounding Queensland area install, upgrade, and maintain their solar panel systems.

We can talk you through the process of getting a solar battery, help you work out if it’s the right choice for you, and show you some of the best options available. Contact us to find out more.