As recent tornado warnings in the DMV reminded us, extreme weather is disruptive and dangerous and can occur at any time of the year. For Washington DC homeowners looking to prepare for when the power goes out, it’s always a good time to explore the options of solar and energy storage, aka battery backup.
When considering solar panels for your home, it’s important to understand that without a battery backup system, your solar power won’t keep your lights on during a power outage. Even though your panels generate electricity from the sun, they are typically connected to the grid, which means when the grid goes down, your solar system automatically shuts off to protect utility workers. To keep your home powered during outages, you’ll need battery backup that stores excess energy generated by your panels, providing you with a reliable source of power when the grid goes down.
Life gets stressful when a storm is moving in. With solar + storage, you can have peace of mind that important electric systems in your home will stay on, such as:
- Lights and outlets
- Refrigerator
- Wi-fi
- Well pump and/or sump pump
- Gas furnace blower
Energy storage helps you make the most of solar all year
Even when the grid is up, integrating a battery system with your solar means:
- 24/7 use of your own renewable energy, instead of consuming grid energy coming from a mix of resources at night.
- Enhanced self-sufficiency and energy autonomy
- The 30% federal solar tax credit now extends to battery backup system purchases for storing solar
Storm Hedge feature ensures energy is ready when you need it
The primary cause of grid power outages is severe weather. FranklinWH batteries have a Storm Hedge feature that automatically turns on when the National Weather Service issues a severe weather alert. This mode charges the battery to its maximum capacity, allowing it to provide backup power during the storm.
And during a power outage, only storing electricity in a home battery offers these benefits:
- No more concerns about the supply of natural gas or how much propane you have left in the tank, or dealing with the noise, smell, or maintenance of a fossil fuel generator.
- Instantaneous power from the battery system, unlike a generator that requires 15-20 seconds to start up.
- Unlike a generator, there is no ongoing maintenance needed for a battery system.
For more information about what batteries can do and how they can work with your home, check out these blog posts at www.uprisesolar.com:
- Power Your Home Reliably — Introducing the FranklinWH Battery
- Energy Storage 101: Do You Need Batteries?
Get in touch with questions!
We’re on hand to answer your questions about energy storage technology and availability. We’d love to help you determine what configuration of battery backup system is recommended for your home. Contact us by filling out the form here or at (202) 750-5718!