Residential solar power storage is a great way to cut your carbon footprint and become more self-sufficient. However, before you commit, it’s important to consider the pros and cons. In this article, we will discuss some of the most prominent advantages and disadvantages of residential solar energy storage. Let’s dive into it.
Advantages
When it comes to advantages, residential solar energy storage offers quite a few. For starters, you will save a lot of energy. The system is completely independent from the grid, so it will generate energy whenever there’s sunlight. You won’t need to switch on the grid to consume energy, and you won’t have to keep a close eye on the utility company’s rates either. With a storage system, you will be able to produce as much energy as you need when you need it. You won’t be limited by the amount of electricity your house can consume.
Another advantage of residential solar energy storage is that it is relatively simple to install and operate. All you need is an electrician to set up the system, and someone with basic DIY skills to maintain it. Most residential solar energy storage systems are designed to be easy to use and install by anyone. This is particularly useful for people living in small towns or rural areas, who may not have the luxury of a skilled electrician at hand. In most cases, all the wiring and plumbing are included in the package, so you won’t have to worry about finding the materials to assemble it yourself.
Residential solar energy storage also offers some pretty cool functionality. You can use a smart energy storage system to monitor the energy produced by the system. This way, you will be able to easily track how much energy the system has stored at any given moment. This feature makes it a lot easier to determine how much energy you actually need. There is no guessing game when it comes to using up electricity, because the system will tell you exactly how much power it has stored. This can also be helpful for people who have trouble keeping track of expiring food items in their fridges. If you forget to check before you run out of eggs or milk, you will be frustrated when you notice that you are low on essential items when you need them. The smart functionality of the system can also help you easily keep track of the amount of electricity you use. Additionally, some systems come with a weatherproof enclosure, which protects the components of the system from the weather elements. This is particularly useful for areas where heavy rain or extreme temperatures are common occurrences. The system will still function properly in all types of weather condition, but it will be a little more prone to malfunction if exposed to heavy rain or extreme heat. These are just a few of the advantages of residential solar energy storage that make it a worthwhile investment for your home.
However, there are also some pretty significant disadvantages to residential solar energy storage. For starters, the system is relatively costly. Most people who installed residential solar energy storage systems did so because they were looking to reduce their carbon footprint and be more self-sufficient. The price of a quality residential solar energy storage system can range anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000. This is far more than you would typically pay for a quality air purifier or sophisticated piece of home automation equipment. The cost of installing and operating a residential solar energy storage system is not completely covered by most energy companies, which makes it tricky to predict the actual ROI (return on investment). This is particularly notable if you consider that the average home doesn’t produce enough energy to justify the initial investment. It is also important to keep in mind that the cost of solar energy storage equipment is expected to rise over time, as more sophisticated and efficient systems are developed.
Convenience
One of the major reasons why people are interested in residential solar energy storage technology is because it offers convenience. When you decide to go green, you are essentially cutting your carbon footprint in half. The system produces its own energy, which is deposited directly into your own home, so you will no longer need to worry about whether your power will be interrupted or whether you will have enough electricity for the day. This is especially convenient if you are forgetful by nature or if you have pets that like to roam around the house while you are cooking dinner or cleaning the house.
It is also worth pointing out that not all convenience is created equal. One of the major concerns with resorting to alternative power sources is the fact that there are many occasions when your electric power will be unavailable. Depending on where you live and what type of weather conditions you are experiencing at the moment, it is entirely possible that your power may not come from the grid. There will also be times when the sun isn’t shining and the system won’t be able to generate enough electricity to meet your needs. In case you are wondering, the inconvenience of having the power go out frequently is not a major concern for people who invested in a grid-tied solar system. This type of setup gives them power when the sun is shining and saves them from having their power unexpectedly go out when the sun is not shining. This type of convenience is worth considering if you have pets that need to be walked or cared for during the day, as it will likely save you and your pet’s quality of life. In most cases, grid-tied solar systems are more expensive than standalone ones, but the convenience cannot be denied.
The fact that residential solar energy storage is convenient does not mean that it is without its flaws. One of the major concerns associated with home electricity generation is the fact that you will be combining a lot of energy sources, all of which could potentially trip or burn out at any given moment. If you have a lot of valuable and/or essential equipment inside your home, it is possible that it could be damaged or ruined by a power surge or sudden loss of electrical power. This could potentially lead to an injury or even a death. For this reason, it is absolutely essential that you take utmost care in storing and distributing electricity generated by your home.
Saving Money
One of the major reasons why people invested in a residential solar energy system is because they were looking to save money in the long term. The amount of money that you will save directly depends on how much electricity you use in your home. If you decide to go green today and purchase all the necessary equipment, you will see a significant increase in your electricity bills in the near future. The savings will be more than worth it, however, if you decide to go green and reduce your carbon footprint, you will still have to pay for the initial equipment acquisition cost. In most cases, the payback period will be relatively short, as most residential solar energy systems are designed to pay for themselves within a few years. In some instances, it may take a little bit longer, but this is typically because people installed the system in phases over time and added more equipment as they were able to save more money.
As mentioned by the disadvantages section, the price of a residential solar energy system can range from $15,000 to $40,000. This is a lot of money, especially if you compare it to what you would normally spend on a piece of home automation equipment or an air purifier. The good news is that you will be able to recoup this cost very quickly, as most people who went greener were able to save thousands of dollars within a few months of installation. Some systems will even begin paying for themselves within the first year, which is great if your goal is to reduce your carbon footprint and become more self-sufficient.
Peace of Mind
Residential solar energy storage offers a fantastic level of peace of mind, which is primarily because it is completely independent from the grid. This means that it generates its own power and is not subject to fluctuations in grid electricity generation, as are most other power sources. If you live in an area where the electrical grid is unreliable or prone to fluctuations, such as a long-term drought or an extreme amount of rain, the system will help ensure that you have electricity when you need it. This is particularly beneficial if you suffer from power outages frequently, as you can also rest assured that your appliances will not be damaged by unexpected power surges when the electricity does come back on.
As you may have guessed, the system is completely independent from the grid, which makes it completely secure. This is also why it is so great for people who live in areas where earthquakes are common or severe weather conditions are commonplace. Because your home’s power is not subject to unexpected outages or surges, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your electrical appliances or about whether you will have enough electricity to meet your needs. In case you are wondering, some people choose to have a standby generator connected to the grid, which will help ensure that you always have electricity in case of an emergency.