More and more homeowners are choosing to have solar systems installed, and for many, making the switch to a clean, renewable power source has been a smart choice and a sound investment. And, with the introduction of certain smart features, the solar market is set to become even more popular, here’s why:
Home automation and load management
Enabling homeowners to control their appliances and the amount of energy they consume electronically; home automation means that they can also do the same when they’re away from home; all that’s required is an internet connection.
When it comes to load management, this allows utilities to reduce demand for electricity during peak usage times, and further reduce costs.
With nobody currently metering solar energy to control how and where it’s used, gaps in the market have appeared for the smart solar market to design and make automated breakers that mean homeowners can prioritize and control which loads get power during an outage. This may involve a main load panel retrofit with smart breakers and a smart electrical panel; let’s look at these in a little more detail:
Smart electrical panels
With increased investment in technology for the smart solar market, homeowners can now opt for a smart electrical panel that will enable them to manage their electrical loads using just their smartphone, and from wherever they happen to be.
However, it’s important to understand that this technology is new, and is not widely available throughout the country.
Store energy with a solar battery backup system
Power outages can still affect a solar panel system, but with a battery backup system, you can use the stored energy to power your home even during an outage. Some battery backup systems even help to reduce electricity costs and prevent the use of non-environmentally friendly gas or diesel generators.
As technology and time progresses, solar battery storage through battery connectivity will become increasingly common, and instead of selling excess energy back to the grid, the power can be stored in the battery for use at night.
Depending on the critical loads connected to a residential battery solution, a battery with a storage capacity of around 9.8 kWh will last for as long as a couple of days, provided there is full sun for recharging. With the installation of a smart load panel, you can perform calculated load shedding during a power outage, and maximize the time the batteries can power your loads for.
Smart solar systems are a convenient way to manage your energy usage within the home, but starting off with conventional solar panels is a great way to do your bit for the planet while keeping your energy bills at a minimum. To discuss solar systems in more detail, reach out to a local solar power company today.
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