How Solar Battery Backup Can Help You Cope With Storms and Power Outages

Say goodbye to the stress of blackouts! This guide explores how solar battery backup can provide reliable power when you need it most.

- Photo Credit: Hussain Photography (FB)

How would you cope if the power went out for days or weeks due to a severe storm? This is not a hypothetical question for many people in Queensland, who experienced one of the worst weather events in the state’s history at the start of 2024. The storm caused flash flooding, landslips, and power outages in parts of South East Queensland, especially in the Logan, Scenic Rim, and Gold Coast regions. Many people are still waiting for repairs due to a shortage of tradies.

The storm has also raised serious concerns among many people:

How to prepare for the next power outage?
How to ensure that your home or business has a reliable and sustainable backup power source in case of a grid failure?

The answer is solar battery backup. Solar battery backup is a smart and innovative solution that can provide you with many benefits, especially in times of crisis.

In this article, we will explain what solar battery backup is and how it can help you cope with the effects of severe storms and power outages.

What Is a Solar Battery System and How Does It Work?

A solar battery system is a system that lets you save the extra energy that your solar panels make for later use. Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity, but they only work when the sun is out. A solar battery system lets you keep the extra electricity and use it when you need it, like at night, on cloudy days, or when the power goes out. This level of solar battery preparedness can be particularly beneficial in areas prone to power outages.

A solar battery system has one or more solar battery units, which are devices that store electricity in a chemical way. The solar battery units are connected to a solar battery inverter, which changes the type of electricity from the batteries to the type that can run your home appliances. The solar battery system is also connected to your solar panel system and the power grid, so you can switch between different sources of electricity depending on how much and how cheap they are.

Does a Solar Battery Backup System Really Help?

You might be wondering if a solar battery backup system really helps in a storm situation. The answer is yes, it does. A solar battery backup system can provide you with several advantages that can make a difference in a storm situation.

Here are some of the ways a solar battery backup system can help you:

Uninterrupted Power Supply
Money Saving
Energy Monitoring and Optimisation
Energy Self-Sufficiency and Environmental Impact Reduction
Storm and Power Outage Preparedness

As you can see, a solar battery backup system can really help you in a storm situation. It can provide you with several benefits that can make a difference in your comfort, safety, and savings. It can also help you prepare for the future and support the transition to a low-carbon economy and a more sustainable future.

Benefits of Solar Battery Backup During A Storm

Now that you know how a solar battery backup system can help you in a storm situation, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of solar battery backup during a storm.

Solar battery backup can provide you with four main benefits:

Around-the-clock power
Pocketbook protection
Better monitoring and
More energy self-sufficiency.

Let’s explore each of these benefits in more detail.

Around-the-clock power

With solar battery backup, you can use the electricity generated by your solar panels whenever you need it, regardless of the weather or the time of day. This can be very helpful in situations where the grid is unstable or unavailable, such as during a severe storm or a blackout. You can keep your lights, appliances, devices, and security systems running without interruption. You can also protect your solar panels from damage caused by power surges or fluctuations.

According to the Department of Energy, solar battery backup can help you leverage low-cost energy that has already been generated and stored, ensuring your rates stay low and don’t affect your monthly budget. Solar battery backup can also help you avoid peak rates, which are usually higher during the evening or when the demand is high. By using solar battery backup, you can save money on your electricity bills and reduce your dependence on the grid.

Pocketbook protection

With solar battery backup, you can hedge against future electricity price hikes and unexpected costs. You can also save money on maintenance and repairs, as solar battery backup is durable and requires minimal upkeep. Solar battery backup can pay for itself in a few years and increase the value of your property.

Solar battery backup can also help you earn money by selling the energy you store back to the grid when the rates are higher. This is called net metering or feed-in tariff, and it allows you to get paid for the excess energy you generate and store. By doing this, you can offset your electricity costs and even make a profit. Solar battery backup can also help you participate in demand response programs, where you can get paid for reducing your energy consumption during peak periods.

Better monitoring

With solar battery backup, you can monitor and optimise your energy consumption and production, by giving you real-time data and insights on how much energy you are generating, storing, and using. You can also adjust your usage accordingly and identify any issues or inefficiencies in your system and fix them promptly.

Solar battery backup can also help you optimise your energy consumption and production, by allowing you to use smart devices and apps to control your solar battery backup and other appliances remotely. You can also set schedules and preferences for your solar battery backup, such as when to charge and discharge, and how much energy to reserve. By doing this, you can maximise the performance and efficiency of your solar battery backup and your solar panels.

More energy self-sufficiency

With solar battery backup, you can achieve more energy self-sufficiency and reduce your environmental impact, by allowing you to use clean and renewable energy from your solar panels, rather than relying on fossil fuels from the grid. You can also reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions by using solar battery backup. Solar battery backup can also help you support the transition to a low-carbon economy and a more sustainable future.

Solar battery backup can also give you peace of mind and security in times of crisis. You can keep some battery capacity in reserve, so that if the power goes out in your neighborhood, your house will be the one with the lights on. This can help you cope with the effects of severe storms and power outages, such as the recent one in Queensland. You can also protect your family and your property from potential dangers and damages caused by the lack of electricity.

Solar Battery Cost

One of the main factors that influence your decision to install a solar battery system is the cost. The cost of a solar battery system depends on several factors, such as the brand, the size, the type, and the installation difficulty. According to market, the average solar battery price in Australia is approximately $1,240 per kWh of storage. This means if you were looking at a 6kWh solar battery, the price would be around $7,440, plus installation. However, the price can vary depending on the specific product and the location.

If you are looking for a high-quality and affordable solar battery system in Gold Coast or anywhere in Queensland, you should check out our products at Energy Solution Centre. We are a local company based in Queensland, Gold Coast, and we sell a wide range of solar systems and solar batteries. We offer competitive prices and excellent customer service.

Click here to see some of our best-selling solar battery products.

Power Outage Preparedness with Solar Battery Backup

With solar battery backup, you can be prepared for any power outage situation, whether it is caused by a storm, a fire, a cyberattack, or a grid failure. Solar battery backup can provide you with a reliable and sustainable backup power source that can keep your home or business running when the grid is down.

However, to make the most of your solar battery backup during a power outage, you need to plan ahead and take some steps to ensure your system is ready and optimised.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for a power outage with solar battery backup:

Check your battery capacity and charge level: Use the monitoring system or app to see how much energy you have stored and used. Set alerts or notifications for low or full battery.

Prioritise your essential loads and appliances: Decide which loads and appliances are essential and which ones are not. Use a smart switch or a subpanel to separate and connect them to your solar battery backup. Ensure that your solar battery backup is used for the most important things.

Reduce your energy consumption and increase your energy production: Use energy-efficient appliances and devices, and turn off or unplug the ones that you are not using. Adjust your thermostat, and use natural light and ventilation. Keep your solar panels clean and free of dust, debris, or shade, and add more solar panels or batteries if possible.

Test your solar battery backup regularly: Simulate a power outage and see how your solar battery backup responds. Check the connections, wires, fuses, and breakers of your solar battery backup and make sure they are in good condition. Contact your installer or manufacturer for assistance or repair if you notice any problems or issues.

In Summary

Severe storms and power outages can cause a lot of problems and inconveniences for your home or business. You need a reliable and sustainable backup power source that can help you cope with the effects of these situations. Solar battery backup is the solution you need. It can also help you prepare for the future and support the transition to a low-carbon economy and a more sustainable future.

If you are interested in learning more about solar battery backup and how it can benefit you, please contact us today. We sell high-quality solar systems and solar batteries. We are here to help you with your energy needs and goals.