Solar Power [Conserved with Battery Storage]

Hello Steemians,

Hope you had a blissful weekend.
In case you missed my last blog, I wrote about how solar panels work and its mode of energy transmission. Today, I’ll expound on how the energy can be stored with battery storage, and used during night or overcast periods.

Why is battery storage an important aspect of solar power?

Batteries have been around a long time. Today, the batteries that we rely on most are often rechargeable, powering our phones, computers, tablets, power tools, automobiles, starters, or even the actual vehicle in some cases and many more.

The rechargeable battery was invented in 1859, still that technology is not as ancient as solar technology, people have used energy from the Sun for millennium. Today however, advancements in solar power and rechargeable batteries for power storage are moving rapidly.

Let's explore the role of battery energy storage systems and solar power.

Solar power is a free source of energy, you can use this free and unlimited energy source to work the electrical appliances in your house and at the same time you can charge your battery too. With off grid independent system that minimally uses the electricity coming from the power station, it converts the solar power into electricity and works the load in your house while charging the batteries that are connected to your home's PV system. Energy travels from the battery's positive electrode to its negative electrode when charging and then in the other direction when discharging. source

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In an off-grid solar system, mains and solar charge controller are inbuilt. With the help of solar charge controller, you can charge the battery connected with the system with solar power and run the load in your house as well. When solar energy isn’t available, you can run your appliances with the help of off-grid systems that have charged your batteries when solar power was available. source

Battery storage on a phone and other devices makes them much more convenient and battery storage similarly makes using solar power more convenient. You need power during a really overcast day or at night? What about during a power outage?

That’s where a Battery storage comes in. This is a key benefit for those whose systems can draw electricity from the power grid, whether you're off the grid or on the grid.

The batteries are deep cycle batteries able to handle deep and frequent discharges that tap much of the energy stored on them. They can range from 10 pounds to hundreds of pounds.

Types of battery storage

Different types of deep cycle batteries currently augment most PV systems, flooded, gel and absorbed glass mat or AGM are common however, lithium-ion batteries are emerging as the best option especially for larger storage needs including at the scale of the power grid.

Flooded wet cell types are the least expensive and come in many sizes and capacities. They release gas, so they need to be set up outdoors or vented indoors and because they release gas, they require you to add water periodically.

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Gel batteries cost more but don't release any gases so they can be set up indoors where the more constant temperature improves the battery's performance. AGM's are even more expensive but they tend to perform even better, maintaining their voltage, discharging slower and generally lasting longer.

But it's lithium-ion batteries roaring ahead in the market, they've powered our phones and computers for a long time so it's probably not too surprising. Whether it's a Tesla on the International Space Station or in someone's garage. Research on deep cycle batteries is a high priority, the capacity of the batteries will likely continue to go up while costs relative to their output go down.

CONCLUSION

Battery technology has come a long way, they are reliable with warranties of up to ten years. They’re affordable and durable. They can be compact and slim-line, fixed to a wall or ball and taps away like a garage or utility room.

Battery storage gives you the means to even save more money on your energy bills, become more energy independent and help the environment by reducing carbon emissions, switching from fossil fuels to clean energy. That’s why people around the world have chosen solar with battery storage and so they can bring the sun to their home day and night.

References for further reading: Ref1, Ref2, Ref3
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