Why should Minnesota homeowners invest in residential battery storage? Reason number one: certainty. Climate change has increased weather pattern volatility – power outages due to severe weather have reportedly doubled in the US, over the past two decades. This means energy security has never been a bigger concern for homeowners. A residential battery backup system will give you peace of mind, while simultaneously lowering your utility bills and your carbon footprint. Read on for 6 reasons why your home needs a solar battery backup!
1. A Residential Solar Battery Means Lower Utility Bills
Let’s start with the obvious: solar systems lower homeowner utility bills by reducing their reliance on the grid during daylight hours. Adding storage to the mix means energy your PV system generates during the day can carry into the nights and power your home during dark hours, further saving homeowners money.
2. Residential Solar Battery Storage Gives Homes a Safety Net
With outages on the rise, a residential battery backup system offers your home a lifeline when things go wrong. Storing excess energy produced, your battery backup is ready to power your home through any outage or disconnection from the grid until the crisis is over.
3. The Inflation Reduction Act Has Made Residential Battery Storage More Affordable
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, standalone energy storage systems are eligible for the solar tax credit for the first time. You can now claim the federal ITC for energy storage alone! Set at a 26% baseline, homeowners who already have solar can now claim this credit to add energy storage to their systems. Of course, homeowners going solar for the first time can bundle energy storage with their new array, too.
4. Having a Battery Backup Will Lower Your Home’s Carbon Footprint
Investing in a solar PV array and a battery backup system is a significant step towards decarbonizing your home. A global 2021 survey found 60% of 16 to 25-year-olds were very worried about climate change. The next generation of homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and investing in a solar power system and a battery backup system is one of the most impactful ways to switch to a more sustainable home.
5. Battery Backup Boosts Electric Vehicles’ ROI
If you have an electric vehicle, combining it with a solar PV system and a battery backup system can save you money on charging costs and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. You can charge your EV at substantially reduced cost, or even for free, using excess energy produced by your solar panels.
6. A Solar Battery Backup is a Step Towards the Off-Grid Dream
Solar energy storage plays a critical role in powering off-grid homes. While solar panels generate electricity during the day, excess energy can be stored in batteries for use when the sun is not shining, such as at night or during cloudy days. This stored energy ensures that the off-grid home has a reliable and continuous source of electricity. Additionally, with the advancements in solar energy storage technology, the cost of batteries has decreased, making it more accessible for off-grid homeowners to invest in a battery system. With solar energy storage, homeowners can reduce their dependence on traditional sources of energy, lower their carbon footprint, and enjoy the benefits of energy independence.