Solar-Powered, Even on Cloudy Days

How does solar power work at night? What if the clouds roll in during the day? What about power outages? These are all practical questions with a relatively simple answer-- solar storage. Solar storage is the ability to store the sun’s energy for later use. The most common options for solar storage are net-metering, also called grid-tied solar systems, and battery storage.

Net-metering is when you contract with your local utility to tap into the utility’s electrical grid. Net-metering does not require a battery and is the more common option for homeowners going solar. When your solar system is at its maximum energy production, extra energy is exported to the grid. The extra energy is credited to the homeowner and at night or when there is a lack of sun, your home uses the credited energy. Homeowners may have to pay a monthly “hook-up” fee to connect to the grid (rates vary depending on your municipality). One drawback to net-metering is your reliance on a functioning utility grid. If there is a mandated blackout or natural disaster that shuts off the grid, your solar system will shut off for safety reasons and you will be left without power.

If you live in a municipality with an unreliable utility grid or simply want more energy independence, a solar battery may be your best option. With a solar battery, extra electricity that would otherwise go the grid, flows into the battery located somewhere in or around the home. Usually, homeowners with solar batteries also connect their systems to the grid since most batteries do not have the storage capacity to cover a home’s complete energy needs. With a solar battery, your home has temporary stored power which can be accessed even during a grid shut off, albeit for only a few days with current battery technology (some homeowners buy multiple batteries to provide power for longer periods of time). Solar batteries can range in size from the size of a microwave all the way to the size of a large refrigerator depending on your storage needs.