Now that Christmas is on the doorstep, and the cold weather is setting in, let’s talk about how you can better harness solar energy to keep your home warm over the winter period by storing your generated energy.
How often do you think about green energy efficiency when it’s cold outside? You may think that solar panels become obsolete during winter, however, despite their slightly reduced energy production compared to the hotter months, pairing your solar panel setup with an effective battery storage system can retain performance during the winter months. Even when Jack Frost is nipping at our toes.
Although solar panels rely on sunlight to produce electricity, their energy generation is not solely dependent on the sun's heat. Even during winter, direct sunlight can be strong enough to contribute significantly to a solar panel's overall energy production. The intensity of sunlight during daytime hours can sometimes be blinding, as we’re sure the morning commuters reading this will know.
So, What Is Battery Storage?
Your solar panels will constantly produce energy, but it doesn’t have to be used straight away. Introducing a battery into your household allows you to preserve that energy, and use it over a longer period, making your energy go further.
There are many different types of affordable batteries available for home energy storage, with a wide range of capacities allowing for higher volumes of stored energy, all from leading brands such as GivEnergy and Myenergi. Designed to help you on your journey to energy independence, while saving some money along the way.
What Benefits Come from Storing Solar Energy?
Storing solar power during winter can offer several benefits, addressing some of the challenges associated with seasonal variations in sunlight and increased energy demand during colder months. Here are some key advantages:
Energy Independence:
Storing solar power allows for a more consistent and reliable energy supply, reducing dependence on the national grid during periods of low sunlight or increased energy demand.
Meeting Winter Energy Demand:
Winter brings higher energy demand due to heating needs. Solar power stored during periods of higher sunlight (such as summer) can be used to help meet this demand when the sun is not shining.
Reduced Reliance on Fossil Fuels:
Storing solar power during winter helps reduce the need for conventional energy sources to meet increased energy demand. This contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix.
Financial Savings:
By storing excess solar energy during times of higher production, homeowners and businesses can potentially reduce their reliance on grid electricity during winter months, leading to cost savings over time.
Environmental Benefits:
Using stored solar energy during winter reduces the overall carbon footprint associated with energy consumption, as solar power is a clean and renewable energy source.
Energy Resilience:
Solar power storage provides resilience against power outages, ensuring a continuous power supply during adverse weather conditions or other disruptions.
Long-Term Sustainability:
Utilising solar power with effective storage solutions aligns with long-term sustainability goals, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
As our society moves closer and closer to Net Zero, it’s more important than ever to adopt sustainable practices, even in our own homes. With winter bringing uncertain weather conditions, as well as higher heating oil prices on average due to demand, storing generated clean energy in your home throughout the warmer months can make a significant difference to your energy usage during winter.
Ready to learn more about battery storage? Rix Energy Services can help, get in touch today and we’ll help you discover the perfect solution for you.
