The Advantages of Solar Batteries in Bad Weather

Solar batteries can make a huge difference to your home during bad weather. In not too distant years when the power went out there was little you could do but light some candles and wait for electricity to be restored. Today it’s a totally different dynamic, not only because of the availability of rooftop solar installations and batteries but also other factors that impact households daily. Let’s look into this now, and why solar batteries can be fantastic as a backup for homes in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury areas.

The Increasing Pressures on Household Energy Supply

A look inside any typical home would find digital work devices like a smartphone or laptop. Also, kids doing remote learning via the same devices, or a tablet or desktop computer. In such an environment the loss of power – even temporal – can be incredibly disruptive. This wasn’t the case a generation or two ago given (with some exceptions) people worked at workplaces, and students learned exclusively on campus.

The massive growth seen in work-from-home and remote learning arrangements due to Covid-19 will most likely remain in our lives in some form. This means the need for a typical household to have enhanced reliability in their power supply will become even more important.

The Heat is On

Even in communities where energy reliability is very good, the reality is the future will see immense new pressure placed on energy grids. There are many factors owing to this (the perpetually growing use of digital devices in households is a key example), but undoubtedly bad weather – influenced by climate change – plays a key part.  

Given Australia’s 2019-20 summer was the nation’s second-hottest on record – with the hottest summer on record coming just one year before in 2018-2019 – there is an expectation our seasons will grow more extreme. This means an increased power bill due to the greater utilisation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) appliances. Unfortunately – alongside the dangers posed by extreme weather generally – this increased demand also means the risk of blackouts could grow.

How Solar Batteries Can Be a Backup

When a solar installation has a battery there’s the possibility to get the ‘best of both worlds’. The capacity to generate electricity independently via solar panels, while having an ongoing connection to the local energy grid for any time when demand in the household exceeds the electricity generated by solar power. But when there’s a power outage on the local grid, there’s no prospect of drawing on this power supply.

It’s here that a solar battery can be a game-changer. If bad weather causes a loss in power locally, it’s possible for the battery to kick in and utilise its stored power. So even if neighbours and others in the community lose power, a solar battery can keep operating the essentials until power is restored. This means (provided sufficient charge remains in the battery) lights stay on, phones get charged, fridges keep food cold, and more.

The Right Battery and System Matters

While a solar battery can certainly serve as a backup if the power goes out on the local grid, it must be noted not all solar products are made equal or offer the same advances in a blackout. For example, a 5Kw battery could be perfectly serviceable to store some excess power but ultimately won’t power a busy household for long once power from the grid goes off – especially given it’s set to experience degraded performance when connectivity with the local grid is lost. 

The same applies to the system as a whole. Many grids have “anti-islanding protection” (AIP). In a nutshell, this provides electricians working on the grid protection by ensuring all power is shut off locally. It’s possible for a system to have its own AIP – meaning its power can stay on without posing a safety risk on the grid – but it shouldn’t be presumed a system has this. Consulting with a trusted electrician or solar installer regarding this is necessary if looking to acquire a battery that can be used in all circumstances.

Remember Solar Batteries are a Backup – Not a Defence Against Extreme Weather

When it comes to nasty weather and solar batteries there are some caveats to keep in mind. Just because there’s a technological capacity for a battery to provide backup power during bad weather, doesn’t mean this by default should occur. For example, like the aforementioned scenario, if someone is given instructions by a trusted professional such as an electrician to shut down power, then they should. It’s also necessary to remember that simply retaining power to a property won’t by default increase the safety of premises.

This sounds obvious if someone is reflecting on it during normal circumstances, but any time there’s the prospect of a natural disaster it’s understandable many people’s thinking can be clouded. That’s why it’s necessary to underscore if it’s unsafe to remain at the property and there’s the opportunity to safely travel to somewhere outside the risk zone of dangerous weather, then that option should be taken. Batteries can be brilliant at keeping power on when the grid goes out, but a safety-first approach must always apply when extreme weather occurs.

Powering Up the Advantages with Solar Batteries

Alongside the backup advantage, there’s also the peace-of-mind factor a solar battery can provide – which can’t be understated. With a solar battery backup, there’s no need to fear having to stumble around in the dark once the power goes out. There are no worries about having to call the office and explain a task will be late because your laptop battery ran out of power, or miss the submission of a key assessment because your Wi-Fi went out. That’s why if you have the opportunity to pursue it, obtaining a solar battery to serve as a backup can be a fantastic move. 

E-Smart Solar focuses heavily on providing our clients with the level of service they deserve. Contact us about our range of solar batteries and installing solar.

How to Keep Solar Batteries Warm and Functioning Effectively During Cold Weather in The Blue Mountains & Hawkesbury areas

Across Australia, there’s a solid understanding weather conditions can impact solar installations. After all, it’s understood solar panels need sunshine to harvest energy, so the night time hours won’t see solar panels charging up like a superhero before a final battle with the villain! The same principle also applies to the winter months, where a reduction in sunshine throughout the days will diminish what the panels can harvest. For many solar panel owners, the gains they get year-round from having a solar installation – such as having no energy bill in summer and a significantly reduced one in winter – illustrates these limitations on solar are very small.

Nonetheless, taking steps to maximise the performance of a solar installation is always wise. There’s a big difference between a reduction in performance, and letting technology outright lag and underperform. That’s why when it comes to solar batteries and their performance during colder conditions, it’s essential to know how to keep them warm and functioning effectively.

Why Batteries Can Underperform During Wintery Weather

Like solar panels, solar batteries are designed to withstand tough conditions 365 days a year. Among the various types of batteries out there, there are even some Lithium options in the US that can perform in cold weather. But while Lithium batteries offer additional benefits in this area, they can also be far more expensive than the lead-acid types that have been more commonly used in years prior. In turn, regardless of whether a battery can perform in the cold, maintaining an ideal temperature can of course help achieve optimum performance. 

It’s necessary to note in some respects cold conditions can actually be best for battery storage because the cool climate helps a battery hold its charge longer. But this isn’t the case when it comes to deep-cycle batteries that are charging and discharging regularly. For a regular Aussie household going about their business with a solar installation with battery storage, the latter is going to be getting an ongoing workout.

Obviously, there’s no ability to control the elements, so the only way to prevent underperformance by a solar battery vulnerable to cold weather is to recognise with clear eyes the challenge winter brings. In turn, to then take steps to minimise the impact of chilly conditions on a solar battery.

Warming to the Idea

There are many ways to protect a solar battery from the cold depending on the battery and particulars of conditions in a local area. But there are common principles found in use from one locale to another that can serve as a blueprint.

1. First, it’s important to consult with a trusted professional regarding the particulars of your solar battery, where it’s currently installed, and how it could be shielded from wintery weather. 

2. Second, to recognise numerous options could be available depending on these factors. 

3. Third, that depending on the change in environmental conditions from one season to the next it may be necessary to adjust a battery storage structure a little now and then. Once again, we can advise on this too.

Yet as an example of the potential solutions on offer, the best remedy can often be the storage of a solar battery with insulation, within an enclosure. An insulated box that fits a battery’s characteristics can allow for temperature regulation, wherever a battery is ultimately located on a property. Ideally, it may be an insulated box that is easy to remove, so if the need arises once warmer months roll around, the box can be taken off.

Regular Maintenance for Reliable Outcomes

It’s certainly important to see a solar battery stays warm and continues to operate effectively during winter. But it’s useful to keep in mind that while maintaining a solar battery is indeed a key element of keeping a solar installation in good working order year-round, it’s not the only one. In fact, there’s a number of steps that should be pencilled in to-do throughout the calendar year to see a solar installation’s performance is at optimum. For example, checking an inverter is working, and getting the panels cleaned.

Staying Power in Winter

Solar panel installations are terrific pieces of tech, but they’re also not static. Unquestionably, getting the actual installation done of a rooftop solar system is the biggest step in the process – and choosing to work with a quality solar installer makes this step much easier. But ongoing upkeep will be necessary following installation to get the most out of the system. Keeping batteries warm during winter is an essential part of this for installations that make use of battery storage.

Understanding how batteries perform during different seasons is the first step in this process. Then consulting with a trusted professional regarding what solutions will be available follows (keeping in mind enclosing a battery in an insulated container is often the best option). Finally, it’s wise to be mindful slight adjustments may need to be made to a battery storage process in future when changes in seasonal weather occur. But this notwithstanding, usually once a battery storage structure is in place it should be able to serve the system well from one year to the next with little hassle. That’s surely a solution to winter woes we can feel charged up about! 

We focus very heavily on providing our customers with the level of service they deserve. If you are interested in installing solar on your Blue Mountains or Hawkesbury home, contact E-Smart Solar for a quote.

Can I Have a Solar Battery and Get a Feed-in Tariff in The Blue Mountains or Penrith?

Many Australians with an interest in solar find the dynamics between batteries and feed-in tariffs confusing. This is completely normal. After all, it’s true starting a solar installation project can be a little intimidating. Yes, getting a solar installation done can be great – but it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why now is a great time to look at the relationship between batteries and feed-in tariffs in Australia.

The Basics of Batteries and Feed-in Tariffs in The Blue Mountains and Penrith

For anyone yet to be familiar with how solar batteries and feed-in tariffs work, a quick recap is worthwhile.

Batteries: Solar panels generate energy during the day. As they do, the excess can be stored in a battery for later use, for when electricity is in need but the panels are not drawing any.

Feed-in tariffs: Feed-in tariffs are a credit that solar panel owners receive for any excess energy they generate with their panels that is then fed back to the grid.

If Not Today, Perhaps Tomorrow

It’s not critical to have a battery in order to gain access to a feed-in tariff. In fact, it’s not necessary to have a battery at all. In such cases, any excess energy will automatically be fed out to the grid. This said, many Aussies installing a solar system do find there’s value in having a battery. Furthermore, many Aussies that right now do not have a solar battery are looking to get one in future, once battery technology advances further.

So although it’s not a hard and fast choice, it’s instead one best thought of as being a question of strategy. It’s held as of December 2020 more than 2.66 million rooftop solar systems had been installed across Australia. Just as many millions more are set to be installed, existing solar installations will get added to, and otherwise modified in years ahead. For example, as well as adding a battery, it’s expected many homes will eventually install a charging station for an electric vehicle (EV) that is charged – at least in-part – by the solar installation.

The Case for Going Double

Installing a solar system is not about the benefits you get on day 1 of its use, but day 100, day 1000, and so on. A solar system can drive down energy costs, and drive up the value of a property. In this regard, getting a battery will make the installation a bigger job, but it means the extra energy the panels generate can be stored, and then later utilised.

A Diminished Appetite for Feed-in Tariffs

It’s necessary to keep in mind that the solar industry is – notwithstanding its ongoing growth – subject to change when it comes to both batteries and feed-in tariffs. Put simply, batteries are getting better as time goes on. In turn, while many governments have sought to implement generous feed-in tariffs to incentivise installations in years prior, the sheer popularity of solar across Australia today means in future the rate of such feed-in tariffs will reduce, and eventually likely come to an end altogether.

But these are issues for the mid-term to long-term. Although there’s always scope for a surprise (especially in this pandemic era), unless your local state or territory government’s feed-in tariff scheme is changing soon, there’s no need to be frantically ringing about solar installers tomorrow looking to get a set of panels up ASAP. In fact, it’s a reality not all solar providers will actually provide a quality installation with quality materials – so taking some time to do some in-depth research and discern what you should avoid when seeking a solar installer is always best.

Where Can I Find Out More About Feed-in Tariffs in The Blue Mountains and Penrith?

The Australian government has a good starting point for anyone looking to come up to speed on specific rates for feed-in tariffs across Australia. The precise rates for a feed-in tariff can vary across Australian states and territories, and from one energy provider to the next. Many people make use of energy price comparison websites to find a feed-in tariff they like.

It’s also useful to keep in mind that – as aforementioned – these feed-in tariffs can be subject to change. If you find a tariff you like in The Blue Mountains or Penrith areas, it’s useful to confirm with E-Smart Solar how long the current rate will be in operation for.

Reposit: Optimise the performance of your solar battery system

The Aussie technology that’s said to reduce the payback time on your solar battery by a whopping 50%

It’s been a tough month for Sydney in terms of the heat, but Penrith and the Blue Mountains have really copped it with temperatures in excess of 43.4 degrees. But it’s not all been fun and games relaxing in the air conditioning. Some areas in Penrith, such as Mulgoa, Wallacia and Londonderry, suffered through such torturous power outages that we’re placing one Tesla Powerwall 2.0 Solar Battery order after another.

Especially as Reposit software can help reduce your payback time by 50%.

Just what is ‘Reposit’?

Reposit is an incredibly smart software system that lets you store and trade your solar energy.

It’s the brainchild of two Australians, one an electricity market and software specialist and the other a data analyst scientist. They recognised that although one in five households are now using solar power, there were some fundamental flaws in the way in which those systems engaged with Australian electricity grids. As a result, consumers investing in renewable energy via solar power and battery systems still weren’t getting as big a bang for their buck as they could have been.

Until now, of course, thanks to these Aussie born-and-bred solar geniuses.

How does Reposit work?

Reposit is software that’s been developed specifically to enhance the IQ of your solar battery system. Yup… your solar battery of choice is the monster, and we’re Frankenstein.

We install the Reposit box in your electricity switchboard and connect it to your solar inverter. It then becomes the brains behind your solar power system. One thing to note, though, is that only licensed electricians, such as E-Smart Solar, can install Reposit.

So… we connect it up, plug it in, and the magic happens.

Benefit A: Reposit lights up the brainpower of your solar battery system

Your solar battery system communicates with Reposit servers to access all kinds of data. But not only does it access this data, it also it interprets it before planning the best way forward. In a nutshell, it instructs your battery behave in a far more advanced manner.

The software looks at the latest weather data before planning the best way to use or store your solar energy. It will charge from off-peak before cloudy days, saving you money while still ensuring the tank remains topped up. It learns your daily energy patterns and tunes your battery to reduce reliance on the grid. And it constantly adapts and predicts to various weather predictions, reducing your electricity bills.

Best of all, your battery’s IQ just keeps getting higher (just like coffee for humans). As Reposit software gets to know your home or business’ typical energy use, the management of your solar energy becomes more and refined.

Benefit B: Reposit is a personal stockbroker and solar battery mastermind in one

Here is where Reposit is completely unique. It allows you to make a little extra money from your solar when there is a surge in wholesale electricity prices. How? Just like Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (but with ethics), it looks at the latest market data and allows your battery to sell excess clean energy for a profit when the grid is short of power and prices are high.

This works via a credit system. Reposit credits are called ‘GridCredits’. These credits have been negotiated with networks and retailers on your behalf to ensure you get paid fairly when you sell energy back to the grid.

When you sell your solar energy back, you’ll receive the payment as a credit on your regular electricity bill.

So with Reposit, not only do you receive tailored electricity plans but also potentially halve the payback time of an average battery via the savings.

“Reposit learns, adapts and predicts your energy usage so you’re getting the most from your solar. What’s more, you’ll save on energy bills which means, on average, you’ll pay off your battery in half the time.”

Reposit power

Is Reposit worth the investment?

In our opinion, without a doubt. And not only for the financial benefits.

Reposit technology will add about 5% to the cost of a battery so, in the context of your investment, you’ll benefit from getting the best control system possible.

And even if it does transpire that the rebates from your GridGredits are minimal, you’re investing in the system of the future. Imagine being able to shut down a coal-fired power plant by replacing it with a sustainable power station that consists solely of residential and business solar and storage systems owned by individuals?

Make sure your solar system works smarter, not harder

Reposit is software that gives your battery system a brain. It’s also great for the environment, supporting the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid.

It takes your energy consumption data, works with weather data and predicts your power generation for the day. Because it learns your energy usage patterns and understands your electricity tariff, it controls your battery so that:

  • Excess solar generation is captured
  • Your battery is intelligently pre-charged at night, during off-peak hours
  • Your peak energy consumption is offset by your solar battery, and
  • Excess solar energy is sold back to the grid when it will be most beneficial to you.
The high retail price of electricity means that Australia is the third highest country in the world to rely on solar, only second to Denmark and Germany.

It’s a game-changer for the energy market, and E-Smart Solar is qualified to sell, install and commission Reposit technology

E-Smart Solar is a Reposit partner. We’re qualified to sell, install and commission Reposit technology, so if you’re looking to get more out of an existing battery system or want to make the most of a new one, let us show you how.

We’re based in the Blue Mountains, close to Penrith, but service clients Sydney-wide.

What are your thoughts on Reposit?

Do you have, or are considering, a solar battery system? We’d love to hear what you think about Reposit software and your opinion on the future of solar storage and trading – let us know your thoughts!

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