Yesterday I mentioned advances in battery technology for the solar power for homes industry but I didn’t let you know exactly what I mean by that. So here’s a quick look at the state of battery technology in relation to the solar power for homes industry.
The quality and price of batteries has been a major problem hindering the growth of solar power for homes. Various super batteries are being developed, but prices continue be restrictive. Super batteries and cheap inverters are certainly exciting prospects, but for now they are still too expensive for most people’s tastes.
Because those who have already installed solar power for homes mostly want to keep a foothold in the grid, there continues to be resistance, even among the converted. Most homeowners who have solar power for homes already fitted don’t want to use batteries, preferring instead to take advantage of net metering. Whenever they produce more electricity than they need, rather than store it in a battery, they would rather feed the excess back into the grid system and actually get paid in the form of credits by the energy suppliers for their troubles.
Of course, net metering isn’t available everywhere, so the need for batteries could take off quicker in certain areas rather than others, but the bottom line is that, right now, any kind of new batteries are likely to have a limited take-up.
Anyone thinking of installing solar power for homes needs to look carefully at the price of the batteries they might use. While their costs are declining as the technologies become more advanced , unless you have chosen to live completely off-grid, batteries continue to be the expensive option.
You’d be surprised to find out how many small-scale solar power for homes systems actually don’t use batteries at all. All their solar electricity has to come ‘live’ from the sun. This makes it hard for your average 12kwh per day household to get by, especially at night times and during the winter months. Adding a good quality battery would make things much easier, allowing storage, and even transportation of solar power for homes.
Enter the innovators! Let me introduce you to Sharp Corp, Daiwa House Industry Co. and Dai Nippon Printing Co., three companies who are working together for the advancement of solar power for homes. They are about to introduce a revolutionary new storage battery for solar power for homes systems by the end of next year.
Their lithium ion battery will store up to 18kwh of power. For the average homeowner that’s more than an day’s worth of solar power for homes. Their first installation will be industrial in nature, within a 15 billion yen factory being built in Kawasaki. Shortly thereafter, the industrial batteries will be introduced to the domestic market, making widespread economical battery powered solar power for homes a realistic possibility.
Meanwhile, further research and investment in solar power for homes battery technologies will come from producers of the next generation of electric vehicles. This industry is relying on solar power to take them to the next level. As that kicks in, further major advances in battery technologies are sure to be right around the corner.
The future continues to look rosy, so as we say, ‘Go Solar Power For Homes!’
From Sam Deane,
your solar power for homes guide,
at www dot go solar power for homes dot com.
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Info source: thedailygreen.com
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by Sam Deane, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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