One of the cons of solar panels is their dependence on the sun. They do not work at night and, therefore, make you spend money purchasing expensive electricity. To solve this problem, once and forever, you need to purchase a battery bank.
It would operate similarly to any power bank that charges on your laptop or smartphone. It would collect extra energy produced during the day and return it to the house when it is needed – at night.
Moreover, having a battery bank would make you totally independent from any energy source. Thus, to ensure your safety during unexpected blackouts, you will need it. At first, you need to estimate the capacity of the bank you need.
You should calculate your average daily energy consumption and then choose the battery which should contain no less energy than your daily consumption in kilowatts. Most common types of batteries in residences are lithium-ion ones. Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ are widely popular now.
Though, lead-acid batteries are cheaper, but they need continuous maintenance and are not so effective as lithium-ion ones. Moreover, since you need an inverter to connect everything together, you will have to purchase a hybrid battery. Otherwise, you will need two separate inverters – one for solar panels and another for batteries.
Since the installation of the bank would require working with high-voltage DC current, you should leave it to professionals. Do not undertake this procedure yourself because you might get killed while working with electricity. A certified electrician will provide all necessary inspections and permits.
The price is the major disadvantage of any battery bank. Usually, the total cost of the system starts from ten thousand dollars or even more. However, with federal and state tax credits, you will reduce it to some extent. You should calculate how much money you would be able to save with the use of your battery.
Usually, it takes about ten years to recover your investment. Therefore, using both solar panels and battery bank simultaneously is a smart move from financial and environmental points of view.