Did you know that the first solar battery was invented in 1954 by Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller and Daryl Chapin. So, why is that we are suddenly seeing a boom within this market? And most importantly, why are solar energy batteries something you should really be considering.

Image by Regen Power via https://regenpower.com/articles/top-solar-home-battery-australia/

In Australia, for the last 5 years straight we have continued to smash renewable energy records. 1 in 4 households are now the proud owners of naturally generated electricity through their rooftop solar system. That is more than 3 million rooftops in Australia alone! Since 2015 there has also been a recorded 140,000 solar energy batteries installed across Australia. What has prompted this change and why should you consider this option?

Well, lets dive into it.

Below you will find the top 3 reasons why solar energy batteries are now booming and why you should seriously consider the change.

1 - The increased price of electricity

Whilst the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) sets a “Default Market Offer” (DMO) to protect us as consumers from ridiculously high prices set by our retailers, We are still seeing price hikes like never before. Since the DMO release in 2021 the p rice of electricity in QLD has increased by 49.5%. Prices are soaring and a lot of it is out of our control due to things like political issues putting significant pressure on coal and gas prices globally as well as climate events here in Australia. We also need to take into account the overall demand. However, ask yourself this? Is it really out of your control?

I mean yes, we can't control politicians or fix the climate crisis overnight. However, where you source your energy from, is in your hands. Why are you still relying on global and local, Coal and gas prices for your electricity? You could be creating and storing your own electricity that is being generated on your property without having to worry about the future inflation of electricity prices simply by installing a solar energy system along with a battery.

2 - Back up options for when the sun or the grid is down

One of the most common misconceptions about solar systems is that if there is a power outage yet the sun is still out, you will still have power. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Let’s take it back to basics first with an image below showing you just how solar works so that I don’t lose you with electrical jargon.

Image by Sunny Energy via https://sunnyenergysolar.com/how-solar-works/

Okay perfect, now that we have that sorted. Let’s get back into it!

The long and short of it is, The sun hits your panels creating DC energy. The DC energy then travels to an inverter which changes it into AC energy. AC energy is what powers your home and your appliances! With a solar system installed you are directly using the energy that you are creating in your home and all excess power is being fed back to the grid which you will be reimbursed for (very poorly, compared to the price you pay for electricity!) by your retailer through something called a feed-in tariff. However, your inverter is connected to your main switch board (MSB) so if the grid is unable to provide you with power, the inverter cannot make the conversion. Without grid power, you are losing valuable sun hours and you will still be left without power. This is one of the ways the solar energy battery becomes invaluable! Instead of your excess energy being sent back to the grid and being paid a small feed-in-tariff, The energy gets stored directly into your battery. Majority of batteries come with “back up” so in the instance there is a blackout, your home will still run off the energy you have stored throughout the day. Think of it like your portable power bank for your phone. it gets topped up when connected and when remote you can still charge. This is the same for night usage, you may not be producing energy on your roof anymore however you are still using all the stored energy from throughout the day so that you do not cop those higher peak usage charges from your retailer!

3 - Environmental Sustainability

Did you know that in Australia, the burning of fossil fuels to create electricity Is the largest contributor to our carbon emissions sitting at a total of 33.6%. Again, this is something that can be changed, and it is the approach that over 3 million Australian homes have already taken. However, with solar only and no storage battery you are still relying on the grid to provide you with energy during the night. Every little bit counts, don’t get me wrong! Solar is a huge step in the right direction but why not take just one more step and stop relying on the grid all together? I really recommend taking some time out to read the latest national climate statement from Climate Change Australia to find all the nitty gritty details however let me just tell you that since 1910 Australia’s climate has warmed by 1.4°C, Since 1880 the sea level has risen by 25cm and since 1900 it has increased in warmth by 1°C.

So, Why are you waiting?

Author - Jodie Ingleton, General Manager H.E Solutions Pty Ltd