AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Home solar battery backup system8/31/2023 ![]() The Duck Curve refers to the shape of the graph depicting the difference between the demand for electricity and the available solar power on a typical sunny day. As home solar systems become more popular, an issue known as the “Duck Curve” arises. Homeowners aren’t the only group who benefit from having a battery connected to their solar system, as utilities can also benefit. This can make sense for homeowners who purchase energy from Southern California Edison and enroll in their TOU-D-PRIME rate plan, which has a 24¢/kWh off-peak rate and a 62¢/kWh on-peak rate – a significant range! Increased savings from a battery really only works when there is a decent difference between the on-peak and off-peak rates. There are considerations to be made as the process of storing power in the battery and discharging power from the battery results in some losses. This process can be controlled through software automatically and enables the homeowner to reduce their grid energy usage at peak times.Īs a rule of thumb, the bigger the difference in off-peak and on-peak rates, the larger the arbitrage opportunity. ![]() ![]() A homeowner with a home solar battery system would be able to charge up their batteries during low-rate times and discharge their batteries’ power into their homes during peak times. These rate plans charge people more during “peak” times and less during “off-peak times”. Many utility companies, especially on the West Coast, offer time-of-use rate plans. Who can put a price on the peace of mind of having 24/7 reliable power for a home? Time of Use Rate Arbitrage The decision to get a battery is more emotional. As home solar systems are really just about producing cheaper electricity, the conversation is much more analytical and economic in nature. Having a reliable backup option could make a huge difference to a homeowner. Homes without backup solar or solar battery power fell into disarray with pipes freezing and millions of dollars of damages.įor homeowners in California who regularly face power shut-offs due to wind conditions posing a fire risk to the state, there is a frequent frustration with spoiled food and interrupted workdays. Recently, we saw how unprepared homes in Texas were when there were cold snaps and widespread outages. Unexpected power outages can range from a mild nuisance to an absolute disaster for a homeowner.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |