How Do Solar Batteries Work? A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re thinking about solar energy, you might wonder how do solar batteries work and whether they’re worth adding to your system. These batteries can make your system more efficient by saving excess electricity for when you actually need it. They also give you greater control over your energy use, especially during peak times or unexpected outages.

What Are Solar Batteries?

Solar batteries are devices that store excess energy produced by your solar panels. During the day, panels collect sunlight and convert it into electricity. While some of this electricity powers your home right away, any unused power can be saved in these batteries.

You can then use this stored energy at night, on cloudy days, or during power outages. This makes your solar system more flexible and allows you to rely less on the grid, which may also help reduce your energy bills.

How Do Solar Batteries Work with Solar Panels?

To understand how solar batteries operate with your solar setup, it helps to look at the entire system. Solar panels first absorb sunlight and turn it into direct current (DC) electricity.

This electricity goes to an inverter that converts it into alternating current (AC), which is what your household appliances use. In a basic system without storage, any unused power goes to the electricity grid.

When a battery is included, the system starts working in a smarter way. Once your home uses the electricity it needs, the remaining energy is sent to the battery for storage. A special battery inverter manages this process, converting the electricity into a form the battery can store.

Later, when your solar panels aren’t producing electricity, the battery takes over and uses the stored energy. And if both the solar output and battery are low, your home will draw electricity from the grid as usual.

Do Solar Batteries Work During a Blackout?

Yes, many solar batteries can keep your lights and essential appliances on when the grid goes down, but only if the system is designed for backup use. Some batteries automatically detect outages and switch your home to battery power.

There are two main types of backup systems:

• Whole-home backup: Powers your entire home during a blackout, which can drain the battery quickly.
• Essential load backup: Supplies electricity only to critical items like lights, routers, or your refrigerator, helping the battery last longer.

Keep in mind, not every battery includes blackout protection. Some come with it built-in, while others require a separate backup switchboard or controller. It’s important to check these details before installation to ensure your system meets your emergency power needs.

Learn More: Should You Purchase a Solar Battery?

Need a Solar Battery Installed?

If you’re considering adding energy storage to your home, we can help you with that. Fritts Solar offers reliable solar battery solutions that match your energy needs and budget. Whether you want to lower your power bills or stay prepared during outages, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.