As a Palmetto customer, you're already taking a significant step towards a sustainable future with solar energy. Now, you might be wondering how to maximize your energy independence and savings. The answer could be a solar battery.
What is a solar battery?
A solar battery is a device that stores excess energy generated by your solar panels for later use. During sunny periods, your solar panels may produce more electricity than your home consumes. Instead of sending this surplus energy back to the grid, a solar battery allows you to store it. Depending on the type of battery you have, determines how the stored energy is used.
Main Battery Types
1) Standalone Backup Battery (Currently offered by Palmetto)
How it works - Stays charged and ready to automatically disconnect from the grid and provide power to your home during an outage.
Goal - To provide reliable backup power for essential items such as your refrigerator, Wi-Fi, lights, or medical equipment.
Main Benefit - For homeowners who need continuity during frequent blackouts or emergencies.
2) Arbitrage Battery (Previously offered — no longer available)
How it works - Charges when electricity is cheapest (often with solar during the day or off-peak grid hours at night) and discharges when electricity is most expensive.
Goal - Helps homeowners use grid energy at the most cost-effective times
Main Benefit - Financial savings for homeowners who subject to Time-of-Use utility rates.
⚠️ Important Note: An arbitrage battery is not designed for power outages and will not provide backup power when the grid goes down.
Solar Battery Benefits
Adding a solar battery to your Palmetto solar system offers several key advantages:
Increased Energy Independence: By storing and utilizing your own solar energy, you gain greater control over your energy usage.
Backup During Outages: Stay powered during grid failures. A solar battery can keep essential lights, refrigerators, medical devices, and other critical appliances running, providing comfort and security.
Greater Savings on Utility Bills: By using stored solar energy during peak electricity price periods (if your utility has time-of-use rates), you can avoid paying higher rates for grid-supplied electricity.
Quieter Backup Power: Unlike traditional gas-powered generators, solar batteries provide silent backup power without producing harmful emissions.
Next Steps: Add a battery to your solar system
If you're interested in adding a solar battery to your existing or new Palmetto solar system, here are the next steps:
Schedule a Consultation - Our team can assess your energy needs, discuss your goals, and determine the right battery for your home.
Receive a Quote - Based on the evaluation, we’ll provide you with a detailed quote that includes the cost of the battery and installation.
Choose a Financing Option - Palmetto can discuss financing options to make adding a solar battery more accessible. If you have a leased solar system, batteries are offered as stand-alone products and cannot be incorporated into your existing lease payments.
Site Survey & Permitting - Once the contract is signed and financing is approved, our trusted installation partner will map the electrical work and complete required permitting.
Installation - The installation team will install the solar battery, ensuring it is properly integrated with your existing solar panels and electrical system.
Post-Installation Support - Our trusted installation partners will provide ongoing support and monitoring to ensure optimal battery performance.
To explore all aspects of home battery backup and how it can enhance your solar system, be sure to check out Palmetto's Solar Battery Guide.