One of the biggest things that we can do to save the environment, not to mention money, is to look at where our energy comes from. For many homeowners, solar panels could be a great way to save on fuel bills while helping the planet. However, the setup of solar panels in the home can be confusing and will often act as a barrier to people who might otherwise look at converting their energy source. This week, we will take a look at not how solar panels work, but how they work for – and in – your home.
It's not surprising that, with the Great British weather, many people think that solar panels simply won’t work in the UK. A solar panel system doesn’t just provide you electricity when you need it, it stores excess energy that you don’t need at the time. After all, you probably use less electricity in the daytime, particularly when it is warm and sunny, than you do at night and when it is cold. That’s where batteries come in.
Storing excess energy
The solar panel battery takes the extra electricity that has been generated but not used, and stores that energy until you do need it. Solar energy technology is constantly evolving, and over the years batteries have become not only more effective, but cheaper, making them a much more viable option for homeowners. Because of this, there are some incentive and support schemes to help homeowners to get their solar panel and battery setup installed.
How it works
The concept of electricity is, to many of us, baffling – which is why, when it comes to electricity it is always best to speak to an electrician before you undertake any DIY yourself, or if you notice faulty appliances or connections. The energy generated by solar panels is directed through an inverter, which converts direct current (DC) energy into alternating current (AC) energy. The AC energy is used to supply energy to the home as required, and anything left over is sent to the battery, which stores the electricity via a range of chemical reactions. The energy is stored as chemical energy until it is needed, at which point the same set of chemical reactions are reversed to convert the energy back into AC energy.
Does energy still go back to the National Grid?
If your battery reaches capacity, your excess energy will be diverted to the National Grid, and you will not receive payment for it. While you are undoubtedly doing a great service by providing additional renewable energy, solar panels cost money. Therefore, it is important that you speak to a solar power specialist that can recommend not only the right number of panels to accommodate your optimal power usage, but also the right battery to enable you to store energy for use through the darker months, without producing a huge excess.
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